I am on my way to Sparta, Greece where I will spend two months at the Greek Orthodox Mitropolis of Sparta, preserving and digitizing old and fragile marriage records. These documents range from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s. I have researched in the index boooks for these marriages in previous years. The books are abbreviated compilations of documents sent to the Bishop by the priests of all the villages around Sparta.
The index books list the marriage license date, the name of the bride and the groom, the church where the wedding was to take place, the best man, and the name of the priest. The marriage documentation which I will be preserving this summer has much more information. There are letters from the priest in the village requesting permission from the bishop for the couple to marry, a letter from the bishop back to the priest granting that permission, and often other documents. I have seen dowry contracts, male registers, and other records in these collections.
Although the index books are marvelous to view, the marriage documentation will provide much more information of great value to researchers.
I am very grateful that my colleague, Gregory Kontos, has diligently sought permission from the bishop to get these records preserved. Bishop Efstathios has given his consent and his blessing to this project. Years ago, he himself organized these documents, carefully sorting them into boxes categorized by year. He is pleased that his work will be preserved. He is a meticulous archivist and is proud of his record collections.
I will post regularly about this trip, my work and experiences. It is my hope that others who are researching in Greece will be encouraged in knowing that things are happening in Greece to bring records out of the Archives and churches and onto the internet for the benefit of those who are seeking to learn about their family.
This is a selfie taken at Dulles Airport outside Washington DC where my journey begins. Thank you for being with me on this adventure!
Spartan Roots (Σπαρτιατικές Ρίζες) 
Hi there, I was SOOO excited to see that you will be digitizing the old records in the Sparta region!! My maternal grandmother was from Sparta but this is all I know since her mother and family fled to Lebanon at some point due to Turkish abuse in her village. Will you be sharing these with Ancestry.com or where will they be available for view? Warm Regards, Susan Wheelwright
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Καλά ταξίδια Carol. This is an amazing project that you are doing that will help so many that have roots in that area. Thank you !!!
Your DNA Cousin, Nick
Wow. you have a very special project. have a great time – it will mean so much to you and other people looking to bring the past alive. x
Terrific effort – I bet the results will be beyond terrific – enjoy the trip – thank you to both of you – Spyro
I wish you all the best. What a wonderful resource you are compiling! I’m very interested to hear updates 🙂
I am so inspired by your work. I am interested in beginning research in Nemea/ Korinthias of a similar nature to find and preserve my in-laws records. I wouldn’t even know where to begin, but your comments about the Metropolis and efforts of the Bishop give me ideas about where to start. My sister in law is good friends with the monk at the Monastery of St.Athanasius in Nemea. I plan to be in touch with him. I also have contact with a gentleman who is a historian of Nemea, Thank you for your generosity in sharing your activity and encouraging others. Meantime, I am collecting Oral Histories of the congregation at Holy Trinity GO Church in Clearwater, FL. Warm regards, Sophia Kugeares, Clearwater, FL
Beyond exciting. Bishop Eustathios is the best , we’re so lucky to have him. I worked a bit w the marriage archives. Nice young men, and Papa Vassili from Kladas- he is originally maybe from Perivolia- Upper Highlands of Taygetus.
On Sun, May 20, 2018, 2:00 PM Spartan Roots (Σπαρτιατικές Ρίζες) wrote:
> Spartan Roots posted: “I am on my way to Sparta, Greece where I will spend > two months at the Greek Orthodox Mitropolis of Sparta, preserving and > digitizing old and fragile marriage records. These documents range from the > late 1800s to the mid-1900s. I have researched in the ind” >
I’m so happy you r doing this. Can’t wait to hear more. My family is in Killini but I e reached a dead end.
This is HUGE! It is a game changer. We can’t thank you and Greg Kontos enough for going to Sparta for the duration of this project and getting these photographed. These and the electoral rolls will be the most important documents available in Laconia for genealogy research in the 1800’s. I am basically on hold until you upload your photographs. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart. Amazing. We are Blessed to have you and your dedication to research. Valerie
Hi Val! Thank you but there are many forces for good at work here! It will take a while for data to be online—please don’t hold off—keep going! 😊
Hi Carol,
Have a safe flight and a wonderful time in Greece. Thank you so much for all your hard work, dedication to preserving records and your commitment to giving us all access to them by putting them online. You’re amazing!
Best Regards, Patty Markos (your 5th cousin? Lol)
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Thank you! I ah e tested with all the DNA companies-please remind me which one we match on? Best wishes!