Title:  Rev. Joseph Vasilon, Greek Orthodox Priest c. 1905 Photographer:  Sherman, Augustus F.  1865 - 1925 Source:   Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. "Rev. Joseph Vasilon, Greek-Orthodox priest."  The New York Public Library Digital Collections . http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-dcb5-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

Photograph Title:  GREEK WOMAN 1909 Ellis Island Immigration Station  Photographer:  Sherman, Augustus F., 1865-1925 Source:   Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. "Greek woman."  The New York Public Library Digital Collections . 1909. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-dcb2-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

I recently learned about this book and ordered a used copy from Amazon.com (also available online from other retailers).  I really enjoyed it. " This is a collection of essays and documents concerning some of the most important events in the long history of Greek people." - Antonios H. Diamataris, publisher ---------- THE GREEKS The Triumphant Journey From the Ancient Greeks and the Greek Revolution of 1821, to Greek Americans Publisher - The National Herald First Edition 2001 - Second Edition 2002 "This book is made possible due to the generous support of the "Stavros S. Niarchos" Foundation to which we are deeply grateful." ---------- Below you will find the TABLE OF CONTENTS and for your reference a list of the  205 GREEK NAMES mentioned in the book. ---------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments by Antonios H. Diamataris, publisher Greece in the American Imagination by Steve Frangos CHA...

Thanks to Jessica Causey for posting a link to this article on our Hellenic Genealogy Geek Facebook group .   ABANDONED ELLIS ISLAND MORGUE AND HOSPITAL NOT OPEN FOR TOURIST BUT SOMEONE WENT BEHIND THE SCENES Those who had ancestors who came through Ellis Island, or those who just find history interesting, might not expect that everyone who came through Ellis Island had to be meticulously inspected before being able to enter the United States as a citizen. There were more than 12 million people who had hoped to make a better life for themselves in the United States during the years of 1892 and 1954.  However, those people who endured the long journey to make it the United States wouldn’t be let through if they failed the inspections.  And people who arrived sick had to be taken to Ellis Island’s hospital; those who died on the ship during the journey were taken to the morgue. Today, Ellis Island is open for tours for those who want to learn more about ...

Greek Family History Research - Years 1885-1899 - Index to Greek Passengers Arriving in New York - 1,825 Listed (Catalan Edition) Take a look at a free sample of the book by clicking on the link above. ----------------------------------------------- Why do you even care about finding your ancestor on a Passenger Ship Manifest? It can contain some very interesting clues that tell you something about their life at that time, and can help further your search for information about your ancestor. For instance, no one in my family knew that my papou travelled on board a ship with one of his sisters, that he only had $18.00 in his pocket, he was coming to stay with his older brother that had arrived in the United States years earlier, the address where his brother lived, the name of my papou’s village in Greece, and that his mother was listed as the person who sponsored him to come (which allowed me to confirm her name). ----------------------------------------------- Eac...

Over 30 oral histories by Greek immigrants can be heard on Ancestry.com Ancestry is promoting their " Life Stories of Ellis Island Immigrants " Now Available Online for the First Time.  I did a search inserting Greece in the "Origin location" field and there were 32 results.   These are 30 minutes interviews where the person remembers their life in Greece, the boat trip to the United States, the Ellis Island experience, first impressions and their life in America.  I have only had the time to listen to a few so far, but I really enjoyed them.  I could pick out things from each story that I am sure were similar to my own yiayia's and papouli's experiences.  Oh, how I wish I had tapes of them speaking about their memories. I plan on listening to all of them over the next few weeks.  Take the time to listen to them yourself if you can. Georgia Keilman nee Stryker (Stratigakos) http://HellenicGenealogyGeek.com

This is not specific to Greek Immigrants, but I thought it should be posted --- The New York Times ran an article on April 6th - " Funds Sought to Continue Restoration at Ellis Island ".    Save Ellis Island , a nonprofit charged with restoring that historic immigrant gateway to America, may not be able to save itself.   The group has run out of money. "We're not able to keep it going a whole lot longer," its president, Judith R. McAlpin, said in an interview.  She added that the group, which recently posted an "urgent appeal" for donations on its Website.   Save Ellis Island  needs to raise about $500,000 in the next few weeks if it is to survive.  If it does not, Save Ellis Island will have to return $512,000 in grants that it has already received to restore 30 buildings and repurpose them for the public benefit, Ms. McAlpin said, and work on current projects will be suspended. Read more of the article by Robin Pogrebin published in the New Yor...

I recently found three videos on YouTube that show Immigrants at Ellis Island. I have seen snippets of these films before, but the other day I sat down and really watched them. These videos are not about immigrants from Greece, but our ancestors might as well be, and very well could be, in the photos. I looked carefully and imagined my grandparent's trip to the United States. Most of these people are arriving with either one small suitcase or a bag, that looks like a pillow case, filled with their belongings. As I read another bloggers comments recently, sorry can't remember who said this, but we go on vacation with more luggage than these people had when they stepped off the boat. Every nationality mixed together. Imagine - I am sure my grandparent's had never been exposed to people from other countries before this journey, what a shock it must have been to see, for the first time, people dressed so differently, and speaking all those different languages...