My dear friend and colleague, Gregory Kontos, founder of GreekAncestry, was honored by Forbes magazine as one of “30 Under 30” entrepreneurs in Greece. This award brings me great joy. I have been friends with Gregory for over ten years and have watched him work with diligence and integrity to create GreekAncestry and guide it to its premier place in the genealogy community.
This is Greg’s announcement of his award:
I was extremely honored to be included in Greece’s Forbes Under 30 List released yesterday morning.
This is not an honor for myself only, but for the entire field of Greek genealogy, which is finally recognized as innovative and influential! We at Greek Ancestry will continue to serve our community and pursue our mission for high-standard genealogy research and access to genealogical data.
The official ceremony is to take place at the Athens Concert Hall on November 25 with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Here is an English translation of the text in the article:
DIGITAL GENEALOGY – Greek Ancestry “Gregory Kontos, with studies in migration history and a passion for Greek heritage, transforms forgotten archival traces of the past into a vibrant, global digital experience of exploring our genealogical history.
He began at the age of 15 by mapping his own family tree and, at 24, founded Greek Ancestry, the first Greek genealogical research platform that reconnects Greeks from every corner of the world with their roots.
Until recently, genealogical research in Greece was nearly impossible, as historical records were fragmented and inaccessible. In just five years, Greek Ancestry has radically changed the landscape: through pioneering collaborations with the General State Archives, the University of Athens, metropolises, and local communities, it digitizes centuries-old genealogical records — from civil registrations and church registers to family archives from across Greece. The result is a constantly growing database of more than 8 million ancestral names, spanning from the 18th century to today, and accessible worldwide.
From uncovering the ancestors of Jennifer Aniston and George Stephanopoulos for American television programs to documenting the history of Asia Minor refugees, Greek Ancestry modernizes and deepens Greek genealogy, revealing small, everyday, yet often astonishing stories of the past.
More than just a service, the platform is a global bridge “with roots”, reconnecting millions of Greeks of the diaspora with their history—using technology to preserve and showcase our cultural heritage for generations to come.”
Congratulations, Greg! Wishing you continued success as you advance the mission of Greek Ancestry, build its database of records, and help people connect with their Greek ancestral history!
UPDATE: December 22, 2025. Gregory’s interview on Greek television’s “Rush Hour.”
In the villages of our region, as in almost all the villages of the non-urban areas of the country, until the end of the previous century, their economy was and remained almost self-sufficient and based on exchange among the households as well as the craftsmen of the area. This meant that almost all the needs of homes and families were covered or met through the exchange of their agricultural and livestock farming products and through the exchange of labor and working hours among the residents.
Even the making and the use of “tools” that required specialized knowledge or skills were carried out within the communities of the villages (or in their neighboring ones) by self-construction and self-use. A most characteristic example was the loom which covered the entire process of design, creation, and making people’s clothing (the woolen garments), as well as the necessary bedding, coverings, and decorations of the houses.
Modern Greece Weaving Loom Greek History exhibit, Benaki Museum, Athens, Greece. Complete indexed photo collection at WorldHistoryPics.com.
Here we must refer to our multiskilled ancestors who learned from improvisation, experimentation, applications and improvements, to reach the rationality and the experience of perfection in their self-made constructions (…). Most of them practiced many and different professions (and crafts) at the same time. Giorgis St. Rigakos (or Stylianakos), for example, practiced in Goranoi until his eighty-fourth year, in old age, the professions/crafts of farmer, lumberjack, carpenter, floor-layer, cooper, basketmaker, house roofer, farrier, saddle-maker, tool and loom maker…
We must also mention the women of our villages who had -all of them- exceptional skills and endurance to be wives, mothers, and housekeepers, but also nurses, farmwomen, cooks, seamstresses, bakers, weavers, embroiderers, knitters… with imagination and lateral thinking.
Along with the self-construction and self-use of the loom, we refer in this note to the process of searching, testing, and selecting natural dyes for the threads/yarns from local plants and herbs, completing the making and artistry of the woven fabrics.
We must, of course, remember that up until the end of the previous century there were no such dyes available commercially in a variety of colors. But we must also correct the notion cultivated by many people that every substance (food, medicine, dye, cosmetic, …) that comes from nature is more effective and safer, without side effects, than the corresponding substances that come from chemical laboratories.
Their supposed “purity” (!?) should not be attributed only to their composition—since they consist of the same chemical elements and compounds as the commercial ones—but mainly, their dosage and other characteristics must necessarily be controlled, such as the pesticides, the environment in which they grow (temperature, rainfall, humidity, …), their processing, etc. The artisans of the dyeing industry learned empirically the secrets for achieving beautiful, bright, and -above all- indelible / unalterable colors resistant to light and washing.
Woven wool blanket on the loom. It was woven and dyed with natural dyes from plants around 1945 by our compatriot Valaso Solomou, daughter of Konstantinos, wife of Fotios Asimakopoulos, son of Ioannis.
The dyeing of the yarns, after they were washed (always in lukewarm water and with the homemade soap that each family made), was done carefully—coordinating the fire with the boiling—then spreading / wringing them in natural air and without strong sunlight, so that the dye would “set” and become uniform, but without the yarns becoming moldy.
First, however, they had to search for, test, experiment in practice, and select roots, leaves, but also barks and fruits of trees and wild herbs, to create the colors of the dyes they desired. All these were pounded, soaked overnight or boiled, strained, cooled, and afterwards poured into the water where the yarns were, and boiled for four to five hours. They often rinsed them with *alísiva* (lye).
For example, to get the brown color for the yarns (threads), they used husks from green walnuts. To get the dark walnut color or honey color, they added tobacco, while to get the sweet light brown of the ripe apple, they used leaves and soaked dry onion peels. For dark olive or khaki color (and oak color), they used dried acorns. For yellow, they used venetian sumach (Cotinus coggygria) and daffodils; for beige, bark of wild almond trees; while for red, roots and leaves of holly oak and heather. Finally, for dark blue, they bought (!) from the flower shops indigo (a mineral imported from China), which they washed in lukewarm water.
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NOTE: In 2022, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation initiated a collaboration with the Cultural Society of Geraki to investigate and relate the story of the history of weaving in Geraki. The Geraki Weaving website has photos, videos, and descriptions of the project.
I (Carol Kostakos Petranek) am honored to receive permission from the Katsoulakos family to translate and share articles from The Faris. Translation verification and corrections have been made by GreekAncestry.net. This is the twenty-fourth article of the ongoing series. Previous articles can be viewed here.
I can be a pretty determined person, especially when it comes to seeking out ancestral places. In 2019, I wrote a post about my futile attempt to drive to the deserted village of Perganteika: a settlement near the summit of the towering Taygetos mountains. At 5 km above the already-ridiculolusly-high village of Anavryti, Perganteika may have been a temporary residence of my great-grandfather, Andreas Kostakos. After 1840 when Greece was freed from Ottoman rule, it was common for families to leave their mountain homes, descend into the valley, and relocate in villages where the land was fertile and crops could be grown (see this post). Thus, it is highly likely that Andreas also moved from the high villages down to his permanent residence in Agios Ioannis.
The road from Agios Ioannis (red dot) to Anavryti, then to Perganteika. The red arrow indicates the end of hardpack gravel and beginning of dirt and rock
Last month, I asked my cousin Panos if he would help me get to Perganteika. He was a bit incredulous. Why would I want to do that? It’s a terrible road, and no one lives there. Even when I explained that our Kostakos ancestor may have resided there, he was hesitant. He explained that although remote roads might be cleared after winter snows and spring rains, there is no way of knowing if that was done until one goes in person. It was only after Panos examined satellite maps that showed the road looked fairly clear did he agree to venture forth. Note: isolated mountain roads are not paved. At best, they are packed gravel, at second best they are packed dirt, and at worst they are neither — just a widened donkey path left to nature’s mercy.
Nevertheless, he said yes! On a Sunday evening, Panos and his sister and my daughter and I piled into his car for the great ascent.
Switchbacks wind around the very edge of the road and are the only way to get up the steep mountains
The drive to Anavryti is always breathtaking. The panoramic views into the valley are humbling and always cause me to contemplate my miniscule place in this world.
The plains of Sparta lie far beneath AnavrytiWilderness view from our car wndow – we are not even halfway up the mountain to Anavryti
As we enter Anavryti, the road guides us through the center of the village. There are no sidewalks, only narrow cobblestone streets. It is a charming place. In the early 1900s, numerous Anavrytians emigrated and settled in Brooklyn, New York, where they formed the Vyrseon Society to support each other in their new homeland. Many of their descendants return each summer to their ancestral village.
The main road in Anavryti
At the end of the village, the road turns left and we traverse the edge of the mountain. It’s not long before a sharp turn to the right takes us off the main road to hardpack gravel. Panos was right–the road had been cleared and it seemed quite navigable. I was excited to realize that we would really get to our destination!
The road to Pergantaika after leaving Anavryti. To the left are the drop-offs over the mountainsides. The greenery on the left are not bushes, they are the tops of trees above the cliffs.
The remote landscape was green and brown; rugged terrain with a mixture of deciduous and pine trees, scruffy underbrush, and thorny weeds. There is absolute quiet and perfect peace. No people; no cars; no houses; no distractions. It felt almost sacrilegious to break the silence.
As we continued, Panos had to navigate steep terrain and rock-filled gullies. Downshifting and stomping on the gas coaxed the car up the inclines, but there were times it was frightening and dicey. Worried about car damage, I implored him to stop and turn around. But he knew the limits of his vehicle and they had not been breached. When the road eventually flattened and the curves ended, we entered into a clearing were stunned to see an edifice rise before us. It was the village church of Agia Triada. We had arrived!
The church of Perganteika, Agia TriadaPanos quickly grabbed the rope and rang the church bell. Hearing its echo in the wilderness brought life to the abandoned settlement.
I became emotional as we entered this modest church. It was impeccable and beautiful inside. The altar and icons, the stone floor and wood ceiling, the proskynetarion1and chandeliers–all were in perfect condition, ready for worshippers. There was even a page of hymns resting on the analogion2, waiting for the baritone voice of the psaltis (cantor) to resonate within the building.
Iconostasis in perfect conditionThe proskynetarion (left), an eclectic mix of crystal and candle chandeliers, and the analogion
As I absorbed the spirit of this holy place, this thought came to me: “in their poverty, they spared nothing to build this church.” No matter how miniscule or remote a Greek settlement, an Orthodox church will surely be built there.
A sampling of icons on the wall. I was stunned to see silk flower decorations
The silk flowers, burned candles, and immaculate surroundings indicated that a service had been held recently. One of the priests from either Anavryti or Mystras would have chanted a liturgy to commemorate the church’s patron saint. Descendants of the founding families, among others, would have made the trek up the mountain for this yearly event. My cousin Joanne, who has been at the service, explains: “the service is conducted 50 days after Easter (Tou Agiou Pnevmatos ) and there is a big picnic afterwards at the platiea with boiled goats and whatever everyone brings. It is a fabulous tradition.”
We exited the church, carefully closing the iron gate at its entrance, and began walking the path down the hill. Our footsteps crunched on the gravel. The vegetation was wild and thick. We saw no wildlife, heard no birds. We spoke in low tones as if not to interrupt the silence. It felt as if time had stopped.
I didn’t know what we would find as we followed the path. Imagine our utter surprise when a stone tower jutted out from the treetops to our right! This was the type of tower that is found in Mani, the southern Peloponnese. Who built it here? Maniate settlers who had traveled north?
This is the type of tower found in the Mani region
And houses! We saw two that were standing structures; one was outfitted with beds and sparse furniture. There were many that had crumbled into heaps of rocks, barely visible through the vegetation. The settlement had been populated by several resident families.
Houses: standing, fragmented and rubble
At the bottom of the path in a large clearing was the proof that Perganteika had been a viable community: a plateia with its plane tree in the center, and a fountain gushing frigid but pure mountain water. Large or small, every Greek village had these requisite, distinct features.
The plateia of PerganteikaThe fountainSign on the fountain reads: this water is for you from the families Moundrouka, Kostea, Koutrou, Mitakea, Dorites
I read the transcription on the stone fountain: This water is for you from the families Moundrouka, Kostea, Koutrou, Mitakea, Dorites. From my genealogy research, I knew every one of these names. Some were in the scant records which exist for Perganteika and others were in the records of Anavryti. This, of course, made sense as official records in Lakonia began in 1840, at the end of the Greek Revolution and simultaneous with the period of downhill migration. I was thrilled to see these surnames–irrefutable proof that these families had lived here.
As we began our drive to the valley, the vista descending from Perganteika was even more spectacular than the one ascending. I cannot spot even a hint of Anavryti when I am in Agios Ioannis, looking up the mountain. Yet here we were, above the village looking down at its rooftops!
Looking down upon AnavrytiGoodbye, Perganteika
Thank you, Panos, for this marvelous experience! It is so very meaningful to me–if Andreas Kostakos did live here, even for a short while, I have walked in his footsteps. My curiosity is satisfied and my heart is happy.
1a wooden structure, holding a framed icon, where worshippers can approach, venerate, and light candles. 2a lecturn or stand specially designed to allow the psaltis to easily read the text.
In October 2024, I delivered the first twelveof twenty-three volumes of the Lakonia Studies journals to the Library of Congress. Last week, I delivered volumes thirteen through twenty-three. They are now housed in the European Reading Room under the supervision of Dr. Nevila Pahumi1 who oversees the Greece and Cyprus collections.
Carol Kostakos Petranek delivers Lakonia Studies Journals, September 19, 2025The architectural design of the European Reading Room reflects the classic beauty of the Library
As I explained in this 2024 post, Dr. Pahlumi is most enthusiastic about securing primary sources for the Library’s collections. Historians in their native lands who can walk the grounds, speak with local specialists, and access materials not available outside their countries are the ones who write with first-hand knowledge and accuracy. Their works are eagerly sought by researchers worldwide who visit the Library seeking such materials.
The classical beauty of the Library captivates those who enter
This pdf document lists the Table of Contents for each of the twenty-three volumes of Lakonia Studies2. It is 47 pages–too long to add a typed copy to this post. If there are articles of interest to you, the volume(s) can be purchased from the Lakonia Studies organization for 20 euros per book.
Next year, I will deliver the supplements to the journals. Those books are just as large and comprehensive as the original volumes!
Lakonia Studies Supplements
Contact the organization for more information or to purchase a volume: e-mail: etlasp@gmail.com.
And if you are in Athens, make an appointment to visit the office and the staff. 63 Charilaou Trikoupi, 4th floor, 104 81, Athens Office hours: Monday – Wednesday – Friday 11.30 am – 1.00 pm Telephone: 210-3304422 6936-734920 (Sokrates Kougeas – president) 6974-343619 (Despina Koutsari – general secretary)
These books should be in the hands of researchers worldwide. If you know of an organization, library or repository that would welcome this incredible collection, please contact either the Lakonia Studies organization or me. Our Spartan historians deserve to be referenced and respected for their exclusive and preeminent works.
1Dr. Pahumi is the Reference Librarian for Latin American, Caribbean, and European Division and oversees the Greece and Cyprus collections at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. 2The English version was translated using the Greek Genealogy Assistant chatbot which I created in ChatGPT5. My Greek language skills are elementary, and although I reviewed the translations which appear accurate, there may have errors.
The brilliant Mediterranean sun flooded the room with light as people trickled into the open, airy office of the General State Archives (GAK) Archives of the Prefecture of Laconia, located in Sparta. We came to meet the staff and learn about the resources available to trace our Spartan ancestry. All had family roots in the ancient nearby village of Amykles and were part of the first-ever Amykles worldwide reunion.
Visitors are welcomed by GAK staff Michalis Sovolos, Director (3rd from left) and Maria Stellakou (6th from left).
The Archive office moved to this beautiful and spacious location in 2023. It is on the 3rd floor of 61 Gkortsologou, 1/2 block from the Sparta plateia. The Director, Michalis Sovolos, and his staff of three are cheerful, kind, knowledgeable and totally dedicated to assisting researchers.
A beautiful home for the Archives of Lakonia
Attendees gathered in the large meeting area where Michalis and Gregory Kontos, founder of GreekAncestry.net, described the records available for Amykles and the most efficient way to begin the research process.
The staff had pulled various collections for people to access: Amykles school records, newspapers, notary files, and Town Registers (Dimotologion Koinotitos). Research in Greece is challenging. Prior to 2020, there were no records online. Through Gregory’s work, digital collections are now becoming available at GreekAncestry.net and MyHeritage.com.
However, most research must be conducted in person at archive offices and town halls. That is why this visit was so important to these guests. They received personal assistance from the staff and were able to view information not found elsewhere.
Researchers are assisted by Michalis as they review school records for Amykles
The preeminent yet most elusive key to unlocking Greek family history is notarial files. These are official contracts which document the legal transactions of everyday people: dowries, wills, sales, purchases, loans. The Archives of Lakonia has a vast collection. Michalis showed us a notary book dated 1862.
Greg and Michalis examine an 1862 notary book
Books and documents created over 165 years ago will naturally turn yellow and brittle, and be in need of preservation. I was elated (no exaggeration!) to learn that all of the notarial files of Lakonia are in the process of being digitized and will be available online in the near future.
The digital archive of Lakonia is at this link. Within this are two notary collections with images of original documents:
More notary books from the mid-1800sNotary Document, 1862. Unlike most, this handwriting is beautiful and the document is in good condition
I can’t begin to imagine the human manpower it would take to create name indexes for hundreds of thousands of these pages. If artificial intelligence can be trained to read old Greek script, then every-word document searches on notarial records will become a reality. We will be able to find “hidden treasure” — nuggets of currently inaccessible information — about our families. Thankfully, AI technology is rapidly evolving and every-word searches on handwritten documents are now a reality (see FamilySearch Full-Text Search.) All our community needs are more digitized records and Greek language chatbots.
The bottom line is patience, faith and gratitude: patience to wait as the Archives of Lakonia (and others) arrange for record digitization; faith that technology will advance to enable record accessibility that we cannot fathom today: gratitude for what is happening, what we currently do have, and for those who are working diligently to make their records accessible.
My sincerest thanks to Michalis and his staff for hosting our group on August 13, 2025. You are the best! 🙂
Note: the General State Archives are under the Ministry of Education of Greece.
