Exploring Greece and Your Greek Heritage

Greece, frequently called the birthplace of Western civilization, has a long and complex history that extends over millennia. Its story begins in the Neolithic period, around 7000 B.C.E., with the establishment of some of the earliest agricultural communities. The Minoan civilization on the island of Crete (circa 2700 to 1450 B.C.E.) is recognized as one of the first advanced societies in Europe, known for its impressive palaces and trade networks. Following this, the Mycenaean civilization emerged on the mainland (circa 1600 to 1100 B.C.E.), characterized by its fortified palace complexes and significant contributions to early Greek culture.

The classical period (5th to 4th centuries B.C.E.) marked a pinnacle in Greek history, highlighted by remarkable achievements in art, philosophy, and politics. This era saw the rise of city-states such as Athens and Sparta, which were often at odds but also contributed significantly to democratic governance and military strategy. During this period, philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle produced foundational ideas that continue to influence Western thought today.

Following the classical period, Greece experienced conquests by Macedonian King Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, who expanded Greek culture across a vast empire stretching from Greece to Egypt and into Asia. The Hellenistic period that followed saw a blend of Greek culture with Eastern influences.

In 146 B.C.E., Greece fell under Roman control, marking a new chapter in its history in which it became an integral part of the Roman Empire. After the fall of Rome in the West during the 5th century C.E., Greece transitioned to Byzantine rule until it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in the mid-15th century.

The modern state of Greece emerged in the early 19th century after a successful war for independence against Ottoman rule (1821-29). Since then, Greece has navigated multiple shifts in its form of government, culminating in the democracy it has today.

• History of Greece
• A Brief History of Early and Pre-Classical Greece
• Greece Timeline
• Ancient Greece: Introduction and Significance
• Introduction to Ancient Greece
• Ancient Greece
• A Brief History of Greece
• 14 Fun Facts About Greece You Never Knew You Needed
• Essential Guide to Ancient Greece
• Classical Greece and its Legacy

Genealogy and Family History Tools and Research

• Bite-Sized Greek Genealogy: Read this guide to find lots of great information on Greek genealogy, including tips for how to find out ancestors’ names and the villages they came from.
• National Archives and Records Administration: This is the official website of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which provides access to federal records including military service records and immigration documents.
• Navigating the General State Archives of Greece Website: The Greek government has a large collection of records that you can search through online, but doing so can be a bit daunting.
• Greek State Archives: Once you have a handle on how to use the state archives of Greece, you can explore the vast amount of information available here.
• Understanding Abbreviations in Handwritten Records: Often, Greek clerks would abbreviate the names of people in places in the course of their work, and figuring out what these abbreviations mean today can be tricky.
• Modern Greek Names: Learning more about how people have formed their names in Greece over time can help you learn more about someone’s values, where they came from, what they did for a living, or who they were related to.
• Family Words in Greek: When you’re examining records from Greece, you’re likely to come across some of these terms.
• Greek Genealogy 101: Find more information and tips to help you with your research on this page.
• Greek Citizenship by Descent: If you can trace your ancestry to a Greek citizen and prove it with thorough documentation, you may meet the requirements to apply for Greek citizenship.

Greek History and Culture

• Cultures and Traditions of Civilization’s Birthplace: Explore a wide variety of Greek traditions in this article, including customs at Greek weddings and what to expect from everyday life in Greece.
• Classic Greek Dishes You Must Eat in Athens: Here’s a guide to some staples of Greek cuisine that you can find in the capital city.
• Architecture in Ancient Greece: Learn about the architectural wonders created by the ancient Greeks, some of which still remain for us to admire today.
• Introduction to Ancient Greek Architecture: Greek temples are some of the most iconic structures created in ancient times, typically featuring large and ornate columns.
• Top Foods to Try in Greece: Here are some typical foods that people often eat in Greece.
• Greek Mythology: Stories of the pantheon of Greek gods and goddesses are still popular in books, movies, and TV shows all over the world today.
• Ancient Greek Dress: Though the people of modern Greece wear typical Western-style clothing, their ancestors wore a variety of outfits made with loosely draped fabrics.
• Greek Cultures, Traditions, and People: Read an in-depth examination of the origins of Greek culture and what it looks like today.

Passenger Manifests and Ports of Embarkation

• Ellis Island Immigration Records: Many immigrants to America arrived at Ellis Island, and you can search records of these arrivals online.
• Passenger Lists Including Holocaust Survivors: In the Arolsen Archives, you’ll find documentation of the journeys of Greeks and others who fled Europe after World War II.
• Immigration by Passenger Ship Research Guide: Learn about the process of uncovering genealogical data in the records of immigrant ships.
• Greek Ocean Liners and American Immigration: This page explores the history and features of some of the Greek ships that carried immigrants to America.
• Patras, Greece, Passenger Lists, 1912-38: Read passenger lists from ships that left Patras, Greece, in the early 20th century on this site.
• Finding Passenger Lists and Immigration Records, 1820-1960s: Online sources can help you find information about ships that arrived at a variety of different American ports.

This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian