Zooming in on the village in Greece – Nestani
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw this. With Goolge Earth you can actually zoom in to Nestani, Greece. Were talking a town you can walk from one end to the other in 20 minutes.
I took some screen captures below and highlighted key parts. Nestani is 15 minutes from Tripoli and 1.5 hours from Athens.
Nothing better than Greek air.
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November 23rd, 2005 at 12:56 pm
Great job. My dad was born in Netsani and my grandmother lived there until she passed away this past July. My uncle Andy has a house there also.
November 23rd, 2005 at 1:30 pm
Hey Greg,
Thanks.. I have some family (2nd cousins, etc.) here in Ontario who have the Letsos last name. I guess that your either from Toronto, Chicago, or San Diego? I went back to Nestani last year for a couple weeks, the only time I could afford off.
December 19th, 2005 at 5:44 pm
Wow! We have to start planting some trees guys!
Very nice screen shots.
December 19th, 2005 at 10:01 pm
Its funny you said to plant some trees. When my dad was going to school in Nestani, at one point they apparently went on the mountain and planted trees. I remember when I was younger, we were driving up the mountain to go to the monastery, and my mother asked me if I could pick out the trees that my dad planted. I obviously had no idea — she said any 2 trees planted right beside each other (he planted 2 at a time to finish faster).
December 20th, 2005 at 12:48 am
What a beautiful surprise to find some people that know about Nestani, kinvs Tsipiana.
I was in the monastery for two months in 1943. At the time the monastery had monks;
prominent among them were Parthenios and Filimon. Both of them lunatic but good for company.
Since I was very young, fleeing the Nazis and the starvation of Tripolis, the kindly priest, Fr. Benjamin did not normally wake me up for the “all-night vigils”, olonykties, but only when the dreaded Germanos, Bishop of Mantineia and Kynoureia was visiting.
I remember the hundreds of prosphora that were brought to the Monastery on the day of veneration, the commemoration of Our Panagias Dormission, on the 15th of August. We spent the next week toasting the prosphora so that they would not go molding. Then they would put them in berlap bags and hang them from the ceiling.
Thus they would have friganies to last them until next year.
Nick-at-Nite
December 20th, 2005 at 10:08 am
Nick that was a great story, so close to Christmas it was nice to read that. I went to the monastery the last time I was in Greece (2 summers ago) and sadly the current nuns are old and some very sick.
George
December 23rd, 2005 at 9:00 pm
Hronia pola to all my fellow Tsipianitis in Chicago, San Diego and Toronto.
December 28th, 2005 at 7:26 pm
Theodosios Kottaras came from Nestani to Chicago in 1953. When we went back in 1980 he told us the story of the planting of the trees. It was a high school teacher who realized that in an effort of conservation they had to replant the trees or in time there would be no more Artemesian Forrest, because in those days people used the wood for fire for heat and cooking.
Thank you for your website. I spotted our house. It is the 4th one north of the platia on the left hand side of the road. Ekaterina, our daughter will be in Nestani next summer. I hope I can be there too.
January 20th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Great Shots. My mother is from Nestani (Karonis) and my Father is also from Nestani (Panousieris). My father has told me several times about the planting of trees. He actually helped plant many of the trees as a kid. My father told me this one individual who started the idea was initially laughed at—Many years later, the trees have saved the forrest as well as saving Tsipiana from devastating landslides (which this teacher knew would happen considering rains)
Pete
nestani@earthlink.net
January 20th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Is there an official nestani web site?
thanks again
January 24th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Good Day from Australia
I left Nestani in 1953 and settled in Sydney.
I enjoyed reading this page and was pleased to find our family home.It is the last home on the right as you begin winding up to the Monastery…who remembers the hand of the Panagia stopping the rock from falling ?
All the tree memories were really good.As a school project I planted some and I remember the ‘DISASTER” it was for the majority of the locals when the schoolteacher Vasilios Alexopoulos(Karvelaris) organised the planting….and therefore the conservation of the forest and the village.My own mother,as well as others,pulled out the plants to allow the animals access to whatever feed they might find….also to have easy access to chop down more trees for firewood etc.They were disgusted with the situation.
These trees have been of great benefit to the village …especially us,considering the position of our home !!!!
Yasou and Chronia Pola from Bill in Australia
January 26th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
Yasou!
I hope everyone is well in Nestani and all that have left to go overseas.
I left Nestani in 1952, with my sister Helen and came to Toronto not knowing a soul.
We took jobs as domestic helpers.
My husband to be, came a year later, gpt married at St George and we had two wonderful children.
Anyone else out there? Is my name familiar? would love to hear from any/all fellow Nestani Villagers
February 8th, 2006 at 2:36 am
Fotoula do you know a george tsiambas?
February 8th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
Hey everyone,
Pete asked above “Is there an official nestani web site?”. As it stands right now, no. The most information I know of is at this Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestani
I’m not sure how true all of it is though, since anyone can edit it. I asked around for some stuff on it, and I could verify most of it. I could make a Nestani website, with forums, etc. (Nestani.org?) Maybe I’ll do that when my studies finish up.
February 16th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
Great Job Buddy! Eise poly oraos! Nestani Rocks!
February 26th, 2006 at 8:06 pm
Liza …..
Yes, my brother’s name is George, are you in Canada? Toronto?
You can contact me/us through my son in law at plove@rogers.com
Fotoula
March 4th, 2006 at 3:15 pm
Hey I’m from Tarapsa. I spent about a month in Krokee this summer though. Se agopo Elatha.. Small world BTW, I found your site on Digg and I noticed the Greece category on your blog. Check out http://www.dailyfrappe.com .
March 20th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
Hello there,
My name is Jo Anne Naddeo, but I was born as Ioanna Panos, and my father was suppose to born in Nestani. His name was John Panos. I also had Uncles who were born there as well, and their names are: Gus Panos, Pete Panos, and George Panos. I also have an Aunt Tula.
I was just trying to figure out if I have the information correct on where they were born. I am in the middle of researching for myself. I am told there are more than “one” Nestani in Greece.
Thank you for listening,
Jo Anne (Ioanna)
March 20th, 2006 at 1:00 pm
Hi Jo Anne,
Im pretty sure you are my first cousin…..
Pete
nestani@earthlink.net
George that would be a great idia..nestani.org..From what I remember, .com, .net rights were owned at one time by the syrengelas family in Chicago
March 25th, 2006 at 9:03 am
Well Done George!
AXIOS!
April 5th, 2006 at 2:00 am
google-earth covers 40 % of Peloponnese in high resolution.
I will be in Arkadia again, soon. where and how is ADSL-access available in Arkadia?
Accessing google-earth in an Internet-cafe, or better even, plugging my laptop onto an ADSL-Line, would be handy.
Who knows more? contacts via my website barbara-theye.de/peloponnes/peloponnes.php4
April 6th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
Hi Ulrich,
Thats a good question, and I’m not really sure what the answer is. Last time I was in Greece was about 1.5 years ago, and there was internet cafe’s everywhere. In Tripoli alone there must have been at least 10. If they have google earth or let you plugin your laptop is another question. If your going to be there for a while, you can always get Internet access from Cosmote at your place, etc.
April 8th, 2006 at 8:03 am
Yasou!…….what beautiful pics of Nestani. Several months ago as I was navigating the internet, I sent an email comment about Nestani. Last night, out of the blue, I received an email from a Timoleon Spanos, commenting about a picture of a man(Timoleon) standing beside me on his burro as we set out for a visit to the beautiful monastery above Nestani. That was in September of 1983.
My grandfather, James Anastasios Spanos, was born in Nestani and came to the U.S.(Chicago) by himself on a boat when he was nine years old. He connected with relatives/friends from Nestani who were living in Chicago. He eventually had his own fruit/vegetable wagon (I cherish the picture of him standing along side of it with his business name on the side). He then met and married a beautiful Norwegian lady who herself had come to Chicago as a young person, working as a maid for a wealthy south side Chicago family. They produced four children, my dad James the only boy. We lived most of my formative years next door to my grandparents in Homewood, Il(suburb of Chicago).My sister and I were very fortunate to learn about two very divergent and beautiful cultures. My grandfather always wanted me to accompany him on his many return trips to Nestani, but because of college and a military career, and his later passing, it didn’t happen. However, I did manage a 3 year tour of duty in Oslo, Norway from 1978-1981 and managed to visit many of my grandmothers relatives. Then, in Sept 1983, I finally achieved my grandfathers dream, when I spent a week in Greece, with two days in the house that my grandfather lived in Nestani. I was hosted by his nephew Tim, whom I had known as a child in Chicago when my grandfather sponsored Tim and his son Tom.
And to my surprise, my cousin Athena(Reviolitis maiden name) showed up as well and introduced me to other Spanos’ in the village. The visit and stay in Nestani has always been one of the highlights of my life. I’m hoping in the near future to visit Greece again with my wife and to show her the beautiful village of Nestani.
April 28th, 2006 at 11:47 am
Congratulations George.
You have done a fantastic service to everyone from Nestani. Your wedsite was sent to me by my brother in law, Barry Buckler, married to my sister Georgia CostantinePapadakis (Kostiogalani) who live in Markham Ontario.
I saw from your resume that you work for IBM in Markham. My nephew, Georgia’s son, Andrew Buckler works for IBM in Markham! What a small world!
I am the General Secretary for the Central Society Tsipianiton of Chicago. We have a meeting this coming Monday and, you can be sure I will give this site to everybody. Before I knew about this site, I had suggested to our board that we find someone to do excactly what you have done.
As for the trees, I was attending school in the village when the teachers called for a day of “dimotiki ergasia” meaning all of us had to go to the mountain and plant trees. It was a lot of fun.
All the Tsipianites are invited to our Memorial Day picnic on Monday May 29 at Busse Woods, Arlington Heights IL. Corner of Arlington Hts and Edgeware Roads. Area 26.
Hoping to see you all there.
Xriston Anesti.
Best regards to all
James Costantine Papadakis (Kotsiogalani’s son)
May 16th, 2006 at 5:02 am
I’ve been to Nestani many times to visit family still there, especially Dina and Kostas Panagakis. My father Sotiris Panagakis and uncle Dimitri were born in Nestani, but lived their adult lives in the US in Philadelphia. My cousins Jim and George Panagakis live in Melbourne, Australia; their mother is from the Letsos family, some of whom are still in Nestani.
George Pappas
May 16th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Hi everyone,
March 15th was a sad day for Nestani. Our Mother Superior Markela passed away yesterday in Athens. She had lived at the monastery (Panayia) in Nestani for 38 years. The funeral took place today with hundreds of people crowding the monastery to pay their respects. Original post here
May 31st, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Hello, my father in law Vasilos Kouretsos is from nestani, he and my mother in law Eleni return there every summer from Markham Ontario Canada. I have visited Nestani twice with my wife and have had a great time, especially during the panayia celebration August 15. My wife Petroula was baptized in the monastery. best frappes in greece in the plateia made by my wife’s cousing Costa
Speaking of the trees my father in law has a tree farm in Milia just outside of Nestani, you can acutally see them from the google earth site
Kevin Finn
May 31st, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Hello to all-
My name is Soula Bahramis. My father, Gus Bahramis, is from Nestani. I enjoy visiting Greece and especially, “the horio”. We stay in the orginal house my father grew up in. I have met many wonderful friends and even continue meeting new family members every time i visit. I live in the Chicagoland area where you can imagine, everyone is from Nestani.
Send an email anytime to soulitsa@comcast.net
Take care and wish you and your families health and happiness always!!
June 3rd, 2006 at 11:35 am
I have been trying to locate my Grandfather’s family. He left Nestani, Greece in 1906/07 and never returned. He left a Father, Mother, 2 sisters (he could not rember the third sisters name) and a brother.
I have been trying anyone who would like to correspond with me on this matter. I am trying to get to my roots, but it is hard, I am not a travler.
Thank you,
(second generation Greek / American,
Ellen
June 17th, 2006 at 10:43 am
It was so nice to see a website with Tsipianites! It was great to see these names! Dimitris Papadakis its been a long time, my friend… The last time I saw you was in Chicago in 1968… how are you? I am living in Columbus, Oh, married with 2 daughters. I hope to hear back from you soon or else see you in Chicago or better yet, in the Horio! All my best to you and your loved ones.
June 20th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
My name is Panagiota Alexopoulos, I was born in Nestani in 1954 and I live in Argentina since 1957.My parents are Thanasis Alexopoulos and Xristitsa Charalambous. My grandparents are Giorgos Charalambous – Giorgia Alexopoulos.My brother Giorgos Alexopoulos. My uncle was Panagiotis Charalambous, very well-known in the village. I have relatives in Canada and Australia.
I went back to my village in 1992 to meet my family.I was married here in Argentina and I have a daughter who is now 26 years old.She can speak and read greek, so as not to lose our roots!! If anyone of you would like to connect me and tell me something of our wonderful Nestani, I would be very pleased.
My mail is mariana.alexopoulos@gmail.com
Thanks.
July 20th, 2006 at 12:34 am
Hello, Mariana, My birth name is Kristine Alexopulous and I have been back to Nestani 2x – once in 1963 when I was 12 and once in 1994, with my daughter, Emma Kallipso. I believe mariana might be related to me — my pappous was Antonis Alexopulous from Nestani, his father was Athanasios Alexopoulos and he had two brothers, Hristos and Tomas, and a sister, Georgia. I’ll write to you personally with more details.
I am living in Athens now but have not had a chance to return to Nestani, I might do that soon. Please contact me if you think I might be related to you, or if there is anything I can do for you when I go to Nestani. Big stumbling block — I don’t speak much Greek. I may be visiting with a friend who does, though.
There are a few pictures from Nestani on my flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hennadervish/sets/72057594068716496/
If anyone thinks they may be related to me I’d love to hear from you! I had some relatives in Athens too – but I have lost contact.
August 1st, 2006 at 4:02 pm
Hi, Both my parents are/were from Nestani/Tsipiana! my dad left back in about 1903, brought his three brothers to the US, one bother Markos went back and stayed . His grandson Kosta Pazeotopoulos and his family still live there. My mother Athanasia was a Syrengelas, they are my first cousins, one family in Chicago the other in Los Angelas. Anyone remember Stavros Syrengelas/ Matsimanis! great guy, we are related to so many from the village the Mandas, Temolion Kotaras was my dads age, a cousin now passed on. It’s amazing how many relatives we all have around the world. I have a great idea, we should have a Nestani family gathering in the village next year, I’m sure it would be a magnificent affair.
August 1st, 2006 at 4:02 pm
One last item, we live in Portland, Oregon
August 22nd, 2006 at 3:46 am
Hello fellow Tsipianites.
What a pleasanr surprise finding this website full of Tsipianites. I am the son of Thodoros Papagiannis (Kourouklos) and I may say one of the reasons that Tsipiana moved to U.S.A. My father was born in Tsipiana in 1905, moved to Athens and his first job ( 20 Sept. 1926) was with PHAROS Travel Agency belonging to the Bakopoulos family from Tripolis. September 1959 he started ASTORIA Travel in Athens which is now run by my daughters. The only Athenian travel agency operating for three generations. Nearly all the Tsipianites that left Tsipiana between 1926 – 1979 travelled through PHAROS and ASTORIA Travel. The first time I visited Chicago in 1970 my late father had told me that in Chicago I could walk into any Greek restaurant down town and have a free of charge meal just by telling them who I was. To my surprise it was so.
I found this website by mistake and I am really glad I did. Our fathers were what we call in Greece “topikistes” and they really loved the place they saw daylight for the first time. My father’s biggest pleasure was to take a short nap under the chestnut tree at the village’s family house. They managed to pass this feeling to us, their children, and even if we were not born in Tsipiana we are proud that our roots are from the “unique” Nestani village and from the area of Mantineia. And we love everything that comes from the area. The other day I took a small group to Olympia and in the “museum of the Olympic Games” there are athletes, mentioned with their first names and the place they came from. There are few from “Mantineia” and I was telling them that they were my ancestors from Tsipiana.
Anyway, again it’s been a pleasant surprise to find the website, it’s a great idea and keep up the good work. Remember that there is something common between all of us: Tsipiana – Nestani, whatever you call it, is the same.
I also have a first cousin, Georgios Athanasiou Papagiannis(Kourouklos), in Milwaukee as well as first cousins in Indiana and Chicago.
Needless to say that I shall be glad to hear from any of you and give you any sort of information you might need. Just mention the “Tsipiana” password. Regards and good luck to everyone, Kostas Theodorou Papagiannis (Kourouklos)
August 25th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
Hi everyone,
My parents came back from Greece today and brought back some great photos from Nestani.
Take a look here. If you have some photos you’d like me to upload send them over to papayiya gmail
September 5th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
Hi all Patriotes!
I’m living in Tripolis and my father is from Nestani of course. Every weekend I’m there. My father Dimosthenes with Nikos Liapis and Alekos Papagiannis publish the small but historical newspaper Nestani (in Greek). If anyone wants to subscribe, write to me in cverros@gmail.com
September 7th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
YIASOU! i HAVE BEEN TO NESTANI MANY TIMES. MY DAUGHTER WAS BAPTIZED IN THE MONASTERY. I PLAN TO GO AGAIN NEXT SUMMER. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE I KNOW OF NOTHING IN COMPARISON. I AM PROUD TO BE TSIPIANITISA.
YOTA
September 7th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
hi i am a syrengalas/margeolas my father is anastasious panagos margeolas he just came home yesterday from their with my mom i have spent alot of time in the villlage with my family as well and am happy to see this and hear about everyones stories if anyone remebers my yiya georgia syrengalas and has any stories i would love to hear them….thanks tasea margeolas
September 8th, 2006 at 3:36 am
Hi My Grandfather is Anastasious Panagos Margeolas! I am so proud of my heritage and so excited about this site! My Aunt’s are Tasea and Panagiota Margeolas! My mother is Georgia Margeolas….. I would also like to hear from anyone that know’s grandfather and my great-grandmother Georgia Syrengalas……..
September 8th, 2006 at 8:36 am
Wello hello out there to my fellow greek friends and possibly family! My Grandparents were Panagos Anastasious Margeolas and Georgia Serengelis….My father is Anastasious Panagos Margeolas born right there in Nestane! He and my mother Marilyn Margeolas spent this summer there and just returned yesterday! I am Georgia Anastasious Margeolas one of their three daughters… I am the oldest age 50, My sister Panagiota is 35 and my sister Tashea is 31…I am so excited to find this site to learn more about my heritage. If any of you know any of our family or have any stories to tell or photos please contact me….garidesasporty@yahoo.com
September 14th, 2006 at 7:11 pm
This is intended for Kosta Th. Papagiannis
Kyrie Kosta:
There was a Travel Agency Office in the Plateia Agioy Vassileioy in Tripolis, owned/operated by Alekos Kalteziotes, who, by the way, being one of few people who could speak English in our town acted as a CIA agent/informer, clandestinely, that is, as well as the operated a school for the instruction of English following the Nazi occupation. The Travel Office eventually was titularly named PHAROS, but by then, I was here in the United States so I don’t know the details.
My cousin Popy Kyrimes worked for Old Man Bakopoulos in the New York office, around PENN Station in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
Refer to the entry
Nicholas_91344 says:
December 20th, 2005 at 12:48 am
above for some interesting anecdotes about Tsipiana.
I have quite a few more.
You can reach me at
Nicholas_91344@yahoo.com
Nick-at-Nite
October 5th, 2006 at 10:00 am
Hey, I haven’t been back in a while and this site as seen some traffic! Anyone from Chicago?
November 2nd, 2006 at 3:47 pm
Hello everyone! OKAY JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE KNOWS A GEORGE LIAPIS OR THE BOULOUGOURIS’S MY LAST NAME IS MERRIS…RING ANY BELLS?
November 2nd, 2006 at 3:47 pm
if you do email me @ lizameris@rogers.com
November 24th, 2006 at 8:42 am
Hey i am the grandaughter of a man who lived in Nestani till he was 23. I have never visited Nestani but now i am finally able to see how beautiful it is. I am glad i stumbled upon this by mistake because now my Papouli is finally telling em stories about him groing up there (he never did before for some odd reason)
November 27th, 2006 at 11:42 am
kevin finn……………………….ti kanis eimai o jaderfos kostas efxome na eise kala esi kai ii kogenia
(petroyla kai pedia) eyxaristo gia tin diafimisi sto minima aalllaa den thelo alli doylia ( tired)
dose xeretismata stin thia elleni………………………………………
na eiste oli kalaaa.
kostas o cousing .
December 14th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
another douvikas?
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:56 pm
Very interesting indeed. I am from Diasella Olypia greece. Greetings to Nestani People,
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:57 pm
OLYMPIA GREECE that should read,
December 24th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
KALA HRISTOUGENNA
Panagioytis Kottaras
December 30th, 2006 at 10:58 am
my grandfather was born in tripoli near nestani his name was anastacio karonis papayiannis his mother name was Estamata Papayannis if someone reads this and knows were i can contact my grandfathers family please write to casamadridhn@yahoo.com
December 31st, 2006 at 12:08 am
Hello to Nestatni and Tripoli friends.
This is a great site to chat about our ancestors.
Karen Hi there!
hope someone can help you contacr your grandparents.
Anyway to all folks here HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007
Peter Kottaras
from Pirgos ILIAS OLYMPIA GREECE
December 31st, 2006 at 12:09 am
Sorry NESTANI people above.
Need to wear my reading glasses else I make typing errors
December 31st, 2006 at 7:25 pm
Hi Peter
I noticed that we have the same last name. Where do you live? How are you associated with Nestani. My husband was Theodosios Kottaras. His brothers were George and Nick. Are we related? He came to Chicago in 1953 after the war. He owned several business’ in chicago the last one being Dyners Restaurant at Grand & State St. He passed away in 1993. We have one daughter: Ekaterini Bessie Kottaras.
Sincerely
Elani
January 1st, 2007 at 4:12 am
Hello Eleanor,
Thanks for your message.
Perhaps we have already communicated in the past .
And perhaps I have already corresponded with your daughter.
If I remember correctly about two years ago I sent a message to you
and your daughter, but it turned out we are not related.
Is your daughter Kathy and English teacher at a High School in California?
And I think you too were a high school teacher.
My father was John Kottaras, from Diaslla Olympia Greece.
My Grandfather spent time in Chicago in the early 1900s.
He ran a restaurant there around 1909.
Anyway if I am wrong about you and your daughter please forgive me.
I am interested in tracking people with the same name and perhaps same origin.
Have a Happy New Year.
Kind regards,
Peter Kottaras
January 1st, 2007 at 4:17 am
Eleanor just to answer your questions.
I now live in Japan, but am from Australia.
My Father went to Australia in 1955.
He has a brother George living in Pirgos, Ilias Greece.
My father passed away two years ago.
I also have a daughter Ekaterina Eleanor Kottaras.
My mother’s name is Athanasia
January 1st, 2007 at 5:55 am
Yes I remeber that you did contact my daughter. She is a High School teacher.
Maybe one day we can meet in Nestani.
January 1st, 2007 at 6:12 am
To Eleanor,
well everything is possible.
Best Regards,
Peter
January 3rd, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Hello to fellow descendants and relatives from Nestani. My father’s parents were both born there – Andrew and Eleni Karonis. I am first cousin with the Bolos family as well. All from Chicago. I now live in Gibraltar in the south of Spain.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Warmest Greetings to ALL whose roots are from Nestani . Living in Chicago makes me feel very proud to be from Nestani as all the most successful restaurant owners are from “Tsipiana”. Although I have married a
“Hioti” and we travel to Chios and other islands every summer, I have only been to Nestani twice, but will never forget the beauty of our area with mountains that are unforgettable!
I am the daughter of George Peter Bolos (my papou was a barber)
and Sophia Andrew Karonis.
HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL~ Yasou and Chronia Pola!
My Best,
Andrea (Andriana)
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:30 pm
I am the younger sister of Andrea (reply written before this one). I, however, have never been to Greece at all! One day I will see my dad’s old stomping grounds! We are 100% “TSIPIANITI”. My maternal grand parents are Andrew & Helen Karonis, and my paternal grandparents are Panayioti & Vassiliki Bolos.
January 3rd, 2007 at 10:20 pm
I am the even younger first cousin of both Andrea’s & Val’s ; ) The last time I was in Nestani I was 16 years young, but that was still old enough to leave a lifelong emotional imprint in my heart of where my father & his family came from. I was very touched by seeing this virtual map of Nestani. My father, Yiannis (Panagiotis) Bolos, passed away when I was just 25 but will always live in my heart amongst many memories. I can’t wait for my kids to get a little older so we can take them to Greece so they can see where Papouli & Yiayia (Kastarou) came from. Our ancestory is just as important as our future! Zito H Ellas!! Best Wishes to all, Vasiliki
January 22nd, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Dear Vallerie Bolos,
My name is Michelle Bolos, I was wondering if we were related? My father was born in Nestani.
February 5th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Good afternoon everyone,
Thank you George for such a great work!! Congratulations!! I found out about Sematopia through my sister Karen Bodden Karonis.and Pete Panos thank you for help and support. As Karen said,
my Grandfather’s last names were Karonis Papayiannis. I believe that my grand father’s relatives, are some still in Greece and some spread out in different countries, My mother Ely Karonis mentioned to us about a cousin in London, her name is Dimitri, I have faith that soon we will start runiting our families. My email is rbkhon04bay@yahoo.com, if someone knows the where abouts of my grandfater’s relatives please, contact me at this adderess.
God Bless
Thank you
Best Regards,
Rosa Bodden Karonis
February 15th, 2007 at 2:00 am
hey guys my name is peggy and im new to this im from South Australia, Adelaide and for the past few months i have been contacting certain family members of mine from around the world mostly america. My fathers surname is Matsimanis and when google searching it lead me to this site (stavros syrengelous/matsimanis) .. if anyone knows a person by this name please provide me with details on my email matsi_88@hotmail.com… your help will be helpful and i just want you all to know my father has been to Nestani and he loved the place and the air, the whole atmosphere. thank you
February 16th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
I am the youngest son of Valerie BOLOS Someris. I’m named after my papou George from Nestani.
February 28th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
My grandparents were from Nestani. I am so happy to have stumbled across this site. we are the Paziotopoulos family living in Chicago, illinois.
March 17th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
My grandfather Gustavo Kogeones was from Nestani. I am 2nd generation US and live in Laguna Hills, CA, USA. I know I have relatives in Chicago (what Greek doesn’t). Any one in Nestani know of our family? Spelling might be Kogeonis too.
March 18th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Kogeonis family all over in Chicago my father told me but he ahs no contact numbers/emails thouygh :(
March 18th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Hi, my name is Elenie Grapsas. My mother is from Nestani her maiden name being Douvikas. Last time I was there was almost eight years ago. Hopefully I’ll visit again this year. It’s nice to connect with people who have the same backround as you and who you might actually even be related to.
April 24th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
To Peggy Matsimanis:
Yes I knew Stavos Syrengelas, great guy, loved to sing! he was a cousin to my mother Athanasia Syrengelas. My first trip to Nestani was in 1971 and I stayed with Stavro overnight. I’ll never forget that in the morning he gave me a cup of tea made from FRESH Camamille! the best sweetest tea I have ever had! I know he has children, I believe Tom was one of them. He worked in Chicago for quite a while and then went back to Nestani to live.
I tried Emailing you this but I couldn’t get through, wrong Email?
Anyway, that’s it. Check your email to make sure it’s right and I will send you pictures.
Andy Pazeotopoulos
pazz9750@comcast.net
May 3rd, 2007 at 5:24 am
Hi,
my name is chris mantas, kostas’ son. grandfather christos and our family was from nestani, christos moved to argos. he had three children, george is a businessman in argos, my father and I live in athens and his daughter live in kos.
i have some cousins in nestani, i ll be in few days there. anyone from mantas family?
May 11th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Well, this is our 3rd attempt; my sisters Karen B Karonis and Rosa B Karonis have posted messages asking any information on our Greek family.
We live in Honduras (Central America), our grandfather, Atanasio Karonis Papayanis, born in 1901 in Nestani (maybe Tripoli), he left Greece around 1922 (past away in 1997).
My mother, Eli Karonis (maiden name), said, she has a cousin by the name of Dimitria Karonis (maiden name), who lives or lived in Athens and then moved to England. Dimitria’s father is or was George Karonis (Jorge).
My grandfather had about 6 brothers, Jorge, Constantino, Elena, and others (maybe even a Nicholas), one of his brothers was a military person; my mother doesn’t recall very well. Last she heard, 2 of the brothers had some sort of store or shopping center.
Well, if any of you are related or know of my Greek family, I’d appreciate some feedback.
kalí andámosi
May 12th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
There was a Karonis family in Nestani who operated a grocery store. I think his son still is there. Maybe you should write to the City Hall of Nestani and ask if there are any Karonis family left in Nestani.
May 14th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Hi Ellie, thanks for the info, by any chance do you have and e-mail address or website for the City Hall in Nestani? Are you from Nestani?
May 14th, 2007 at 11:17 am
You can go ahead and e-mail me at either address: eli_bodden@sdhskips.com or elboddenkaronis@yahoo.com Thank you.
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:25 pm
I was so thrilled to accidentally run into this website. My maiden name is Vranas (not from Nestani); my mother’s maiden name was Helen (Eleni) Verros, tis Nikoloverinas. I have some very wonderful fond memories of Nestani. I have not been there in about a decade, but maybe next summer. I still have a first cousin there, George Smyrniotis, and my father’s theia, Adelphi Antonia, is a kalogria at the monastery. Mom left Nestani in the late 50s and came to Chicago.
I know from my mom that we had relatives spread out through the US, Canada and Australia, that I would love to find. If the name Verros, Smyrniotis, Panousieris, etc., sound familiar to anyone, please e-mail me or reply here. epanfil@sbcglobal.net
May 27th, 2007 at 6:21 am
Yasoo!!!!
Opaa!!! Greg!!! Anyone familiar with the Letsos family?
Hello everyone,
Well, I was baptised in the Panayia monastery on the mountain when was a baby. Funny thing is I still remember it!! I still have strangers to this day some 25 years later tell me how they were there. That my father danced on top of a car all the way down the mountain!!!! Heard they had a huge party in the town square! My yaya and papoo lived in Nestani they’re entire lives. One of they’re son’s, my father, Evangelos Peter Letsos, left the village and traveled to Canada… So, I’m sure I still have family there!! He then came to Chicago, and I know his other brothers did to, since two of my Uncles and a ton of cousins still live there… Long story short…. Living in America, I was fortunate enough to have a Father take me there often enough to have the memories… Exploring the village, playing around in the town square while the parents danced, ate and laughed…. I am in Florida, and if anyone knows anything I’d really like to talk. I’m Greek and very proud of my heritage. Next saturday I have a cousin getting married in Atlanta…. So to the Greeks that are going… Opaaa!!!
Yasoo.
mrpetesteel@yahoo.com
May 31st, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Hello. Just wanted to share that there is a new website that is out there. It should be fully up in a couple of weeks. The website is http://www.nestani.com.
My uncle found out about it last weekend at the annual Tsipianitiko picnic in Chicago. We were unable to go because we were out of town. Heard it was a great event as always.
Again, if anyone is out there that ever knew my mother or her family, Helen (Verros) Vranas (tis Nikoloverrinas), please let me know. Mom passed away this past January. She had shared many stories of her youth in Nestani, before leaving for Chicago, and of all her cousins and family. I wish I had written some of those stories and facts down, and I keep drawing blanks as I try to remember things.
Thanks.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Hello to all..I did a google image search of Nestani and this site came up. Very cool. Although I’ve not been there in 10 years, I found myself getting a bit nostalgic. (To do the math for you, I was there in 1997, was anyone else?) My father is a Tsiopelas; I know we are related to many families from Nestani. In response to Liza, I know both a Liapis family and a Boulougouris family. I am in fact related somewhat distantly to the Boulougouris’s. Anyway, if you know me or are related to me, I’d love to reconnect!
-Jeneane….(former Yiannoula Tsiopelas.)
June 20th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Hi everyone! I can not believe I have come across this site, it’s hilarious how small the world is when you are Greek and from NESTANI!! I just wanted to ask anyone if they have any, or now of any, websites about Nestani and if there are current photo’s. Unfortunately have not been to Greece since 1985, and before that I was there in 1972. Hope to make the trip this year, if not definitely next year. I have one aunt and uncle there whom live right next to the Plateia, my thia Alliki (Panagakis) and thio Yioryo Adamopoulos. Wishing everyone all the very best!!
T. Tsiakopoulos
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:40 pm
My mother’s maiden name was Papagiannis, and her family came from Tsipiana (Nestani)….I guess we’re all related? My grandfather Louis Papagiannis had a brother, I think. He married my grandmother, Alexandra Ivalis, and they moved to America. My great grandmother Marguerita (name Ivalis) is buried in Nestani somewhere, but her children all wound up in America and Canada. Don’t know what happened to the Papayiannis side of the family. I would love to know.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Yasou!
My grandmother Alexandra Papajiane nee Ivalis was born in Tsipiana, Arcadia on Dec. 24th, 1886. Her mother was Margeurite Adamopoulos and her father was George Ivalis. She came to NYC via Pireus in February 1910 and quickly settled in Chicago, IL in the USA. I am happy to speak/write to anyone in Greek or English if you would like to contact me at my email address which is demecegarepis@yahoo.com. I look forward to connecting with other Tsipiana! We are planning tp visit in two years there, when Alexandra’s great grandson (my son) will be 5 years old. Tha ta poume:)
Demece Garepis
July 6th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Kostas, see you next week 14 july 2007
July 16th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Hi,
In response to Alcestis Ritsos, I wanted to inquire about the Ritsos family. My mother’s maiden name is Ritsos from Monemvasia and Molaos. You married into the Ritsos family? Where are you located? Please feel free to email me at: Bianca710A@aol.com.
July 22nd, 2007 at 4:28 am
I was born a Ritsos — I didn’t marry into the family.
What do you want to know about them? They’re a pretty prominent family, and that name goes back pretty far. I found a Nicholas Ritsos who was a famous icon-painter in Crete around 1492. The family pushed education in a big big way, were very wealthy and ran a big shipping business out of Monemvasia, and many were lawyers, jurists, admirals, and so on. I think the Ritsos name comes from either the Genoese or Venetian name Ritzo or Ritzi. The most famous Ritsos was Yiannis Ritsos (1909-1992). If you google his name, you’ll get alot of stuff on him. He was a famous poet and he has several books in print, with biographies about him. His father was a 1st born, who inherited everything, but was a compulsive gambler and lost everything. My grandfather was his brother — a 2nd born — and came to the USA in the early 1900’s, after some time in London and New York. He married and settled in Chicago, and had 4 sons, who all became lawyers. My dad, now deceased, was one of those 4 sons. I grew up in Chicago, but currently live in Houston.
I’d be interested to hear what line of Ritsos you descended from and to hear some of your family history. In Monemvasia, there is a town square in the old part of the city that is named for the Ritsos bunch, and there is a statue to Yiannis Ritsos. I think the old Ritsos house is still standing too, near the city gate. Don’t know. I’ve never been to Greece.
Cheers! Alcestis Ritsos
July 23rd, 2007 at 4:43 am
Thats right! Ritsos house is in good shape in the entrance of Montevasia.
July 29th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
To Craig Williams (Kogeones)
My name is Lou Coines (Kogionis) from Chicago, IL.
My fathers uncle was the first in our family to immigrate to the U.S. as a “Kogionis” and later changed
his last name to Coines.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Hi, My father was James Athanasios Karones, born in Tsipina in 1888. His parents were Athanasios ( Thanasakos) Karones and Sophia Arvanitis. My greatgrandfather’s name was John. My cousin in Toronto, Georgia has been working on a family tree and like Topsy it has really grown. As I read through the messages above I recognised many names from our tree. To the lady looking for Kogoenes , the best known in Chicago was Pete, also known as the Mayor of Greektown (Diana’s Resturant). I noticed a number of comments from some of my nieces and nephews, which pleases me no end. However, the question regarding the spelling of our last name still is in dispute, my father and one cousin spelled it KARONES, and his two brothers, Andrew and George spelled it KARONIS. Either way I am proud of my heritage, both the Greek and the Austro-Hungarian part supplied by my mother Franziska Karones nee Balogh from Miedlingsdorf, Austria. I highly recommend the new Nestani website, both because it is very informative and was created by some of my first cousins.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Central Society Tsipianiton of Chicago just launched a new web site “Nestani.Com”
We have many pictures of: Old Nestani, Nestani now, Old Chicago and Chicago now. In the Events area, we list the names and credentials of the Nestani Professional Society. We would love to hear from Nestaniotes from all over the world. Please send us your pictures and a list of your graduates and we will add them to our site. A forum and E-mail should be up soon. Meanwhile, you can write to: nestanichicago@AOL.com
August 6th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Hi, I am wondering if anyone knows the Mandas… or Mantas family.. from Nestani?
I know that many of them now reside in Chicago Illinois, but that they first came from this area.
If someone knows of them, I would love to know!
Thanks
Stefania
August 7th, 2007 at 5:49 am
Hello every body.My name is petroula, i am from Nestani village and very excitting because i knew some of you.
I want to say a hello to my dearest friend Eleanor T. Kottaras and wish her the greatest summer and sent my regards to Kathy T. Kottaras and her familly.
I wish to all of you to be well and healty.Sorry about my English, my greek are much better.
Eleanor i hope you can be here next summer i missed you so much.
Hello Yiannoula Tsiopelas, i think your father is Dimitris Tsiopelas and your grandmother’s name is Yiannoula Tsiopelas too .Hello to you too.i live accross your grandmother’s house .GEIA HARA SE OLOUS.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Xaipetismata s’ olous tous Tsipianites. My mother, Athanasia Bahramis, was born and raised in Nestani. Her parents are Ioannis Bahramis (deceased) and Theodora Bolos. We are here in Chicago with the rest of the village! I’ve only been to the horio four or five times through the years because I usually stay in my Dad’s horio but I love Nestani. The last time I was there the hand print was still visible on the rock. I wonder if it still is today?
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:19 am
Reply to Stavros.
Hello .xairetismous kai se sena.The hand print of course is still visible on thw rock. If you come you’ ll see it.
Have a nice summer.Geia xara.
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
To Lou Coines,
Thanks for the info…would love to get more info. My grandfather came through Chicago and I know he had brothers there. That is all I know. My grandfather worked on the Western Pacific Railroad.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:22 am
Dear Stefania,
I am chris mantas, my grand grand father went to chicago but in 1920 he came back to fight against muslims in asia minor. he got injured in eskir sehir. My grand father is chris or well know to the villagers as “christian”. He has two sons, costas (my father), george and athanasia. Chris mantas moved to argos around 1940 and everyone knows well the mantas family in argos, my uncle is a well known businessman in argos.
i came across with another mantas from chicago, his name is george mantas, I live in athens and hope that one day i ll come to chicago.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:32 am
In addition, Mantas have good relations with Angelopoulos (the wife of my grandfather’s wife) but everyone in the village had a nickname!
September 7th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Hi,im from Sydney Australia and would like to know if anyone knows how to subsribe to the newspaper NESTANI.
My father was born there and i also live there from 1997- 2002.
I now reside at Bondi Beach,Sydney,Australia.
I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can help.
Kind Regards
Nicholas Panas
September 7th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Hello Nicholas, you can write a letter to the nevwspaper “Εφημερίδα ΝΕΣΤΑΝΗ (Υπόψη κου Αλέκου Παπαγιάννη) Νεστάνη 22005 Αρκαδίας” and ask them to tell you the way you can get the newspaper there.They can sent it to you.
I can also find a phome number to communicate with him, i can’t remember it right now.
Sorry about my english my greek are better.Where did you live at Mestani i can’t remember you.
GEIA NA EISAI KALA.TA LEME
September 8th, 2007 at 12:09 am
To Stavros Kohilas,
I am Soula Bahramis, from DeKalb, Illinois. My dad is Gus Bahramis and is related to your mom, Athanasia. You can reach me at soulitsa@comcast.net
September 8th, 2007 at 6:23 am
Hi Soula,My Grandmother was a Bahramis.Anastasia Bahramis.Does that name ring a bell???
September 8th, 2007 at 6:27 am
Gia Soy Petroula.I actually lived in mhlia.Thats where we have built our house.I wasnt in Nestani alot.You will know my Cousins Tasia and Zoe.My auncle is Thanasis Panagiotopoulos and my dad is Evangelos Panagiotopoulos.
Thanks for your help with the newspaper,i will call them.
What is your surname and your current status????
Kind Regards
Nicholas Panas
September 12th, 2007 at 3:16 am
Hi Chris!
Thank you for replying… I am wondering if you know if George (I believe your Great Uncle) had any children?
I know there are people that live in Chicago now, but I believe they are Mandas’.
I think that it was a George who was my great-grandfather (I have to check with my mum’s records).
I know there is a Peter (with a Grandson Peter) and I have a paternal (biological) Grandfather Tom. He lived in Toronto, Ontario Canada for some time, and that is when my father was born. He left him there with his mother, and my father was eventually put up for adoption.
I don’t know if it’s (Mandas and Mantas) considered the same last name and altered a bit or what.
But Tom now resides in Chicago, and has brothers Peter, Gus, Sister Helen, and there is one or two more. I will look into it!
Thank you for your help so far :)
September 13th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Hi stef,
it’s mantas μαντάς, george is the name of my father’s brother, hence there must be some george who was uncle of my grandafther. morever we must be from the same family. we have also costas and christos mantas in the family. does this ring you a bell?
regards
September 17th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Hi! I am Kathy (Katerina) Kottaras – my mother has written on this site (Eleanor) – my father was Theodosios Kottaras (passed away in 1993).
Petroula! I saw your post – email me, please! I miss you very much and would love to hear from you.
Also, are there any Tsipianides in the Los Angeles area? I grew up in Chicago (my parents owned a restaurant, of course – ha ha), but most of the Greeks in LA are from the islands. Oddly enough, I have met a family from Loukas, the horio right next door to Nestani where my grandmother, Ekaterini, nee Rekas, was from (she taught right next door to me – what are the odds??). But no one from Nestani in LA yet!
I have so many wonderful memories of our summers in Nestani. My husband and I visited most recently in 2006, when I was 4 months pregnant. I can’t wait to bring our daughter Madeline Thea to see her horio.
Also, I saw the posts about Mr. Karonis who owned the grocery store up on the hill. He was a close friend of my dad’s and I remember him as the kindest man. He always knew who I was and welcomed me warmly. And I always got candy! :)
This is a beautiful site – I love reading all the posts. Keep them coming!
ekat213@sbcglobal.net
September 21st, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Hi Nicholas, how are you? I live at Nestani and i work at Tripolis as an accountant in a company.
My surname is Andrianopoulos, my father is from another village (Pikerni near at Mhlia and Artemisio), my mother is from Nestani and we all live there.I know your cousins and your uncle and I know your father too.So be well. I am happy that i helped you with the newspaper.
September 30th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
My Husband Vasilios – Grew up in nestanmi in the 50’s and 60’s with his 8 brothers and sisters – he left in 1966 to come over here to Australia with his 2 sisters – Constandina and Vasiliki.
I have found this a very interesting blog and hope to hear from other family members – I know a lot left for the U.S at around the asme time – we have a big family both here and over in the U.S.
September 30th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Just had a look at some wonderful photo’s of St.Georges Day last year – thank you so much – my husband was thrilled to see some people he remembered from “the old days”
Thanks and Congratulations on keeping the traditions and pictures of Nestani going.
Rhonda
October 9th, 2007 at 11:56 am
My father planted pine trees also on the AghiaAnna side. They had some kind of tax and they could pay it off by doing 2 days of community service per year.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
I just found out that my great grandfather is from Nestani. I’m searching for information regarding this. If anyone has family there, or knows how I can find anything about the history of the families in the town, that would be much appreciated.
Thanks
November 8th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
B. Pelekoudas,
For the history of Nestani, visit:nestani.com
The site was developed by Nestaniotes living in Chicago. You will find the history of our village plus many pictures with names etc.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
James,
Thanks for your help. It will be a great place to start as I try to collect information.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Hello Katherine Kottaras.
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter, Madeline.
This is a great site.
Greetings to all Nestani people here,
from
Peter John Kottaras
November 27th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
A quick hello to Eleanor Kottaras.
hope all is well and all the best for the Christmas season coming up.
Cheers,
Peter J Kottaras
December 6th, 2007 at 12:25 am
I am so happy to see these images’
I wish my father (Demetrios CHristos Karones), Yiayia (Maria (Panagakis) Karones and Papou (Christos Karones) would have lived to see this~ It would make them smile-for sure! :)
Georgia Karones (Roach) from Chicago IL
December 7th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Your website provides a tremendous resource for family history. I am the son of George M. Theodore (Theodosiou) who left Nestani in 1907 and settled in California with three of his siblings. Three of the Theodore brothers (Gus, Nicolas, and George) owned and operated the Cosmopolitan Laundry in Los Angeles from about 1925 to the early 1950s. I am trying to learn more about their parents, my grandparents, Marcus and Sophia (nee Papadimitriou) Theodosiou who lived their entire lives in Nestani. Marcus passed away in Nestani in 1930 and Sophia before him. Does anyone know the names of the parents of Marcus and Sophia?
Ted Theodore
December 11th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Hello everybody:
Does anybody know the Panagakis family from Nestani?
December 15th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Yes, My yiayia was Maria Panagakis (now deceased) She married Christos Karones.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Thanks Georgia, but that is no relation to me. Are you related to Annette Karones from Colombus, Ohio?
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:15 am
hi my father has a house in nestany near town square!we live in argos!my name is panagakis jim!nestany is a very nice place!!!goodbye
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:17 am
georgia maybe we have a relathionship!!!!i don’t know…my grandfather was george panagakis a teacher my father name is nick panagakis and lives in argos near nauplion!!!by all
January 7th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Hi Jim,
No, I don’t think we have any relationship. my deceased grandparents also have a house near the village square. My grandfather name is Kosta. Nestani is a very nice place….:) even though I haven’t been there in a while….. Argos is also very nice…. I have family there also.
January 17th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Reply to Georgia:
My family is also named Panagakis, all from Nestani. My grandfather was George Panagakis & my yiayia was Maria. One of their sons was, Sotiris, was my father. We have relatives still in Nestani, and in Montreal, Melbourne, New Jersey, and Columbus, Ohio.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Hello ; and a prosperous new year to everyone. Came across this site by accident and reading all the comments braught back a lot of memories for me, from my childhood and my visit 2 years ago. We had left the villiage for Toronto when i was 6 and my brother Ioanis (John) was 5 years old with vivid memories crystal clear in my mind, and yes it is a very beautiful and relaxing place. Kudos to the people that created this site and be proud of the heritage.
Cheers
January 26th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
i am the granddaughter of anastasis p. margeolas he was born in the village i love going to the village it is so relaxing and calming
February 8th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
For Alcestis Ritsos:
Thank you for your response. I am starting a family tree and your information is very useful. Yianni’s grandfather and my great grandfather were bothers. My mother recalls her father stating there were cousins in Chicago. My mom has been in the US (Delaware) since 1959. I also recently received an email from someone , whose great-grandmother was a Ritsos. Any information you can provide would be great. I have been to Greece many times. Monemvasia is beautiful – have not been there though for many years. My mother said that when she went the last time with her sisters, the home she lived in is now a hotel and the name is Ritsos Hotel. Please email me at Bianca710A@aol.com. I would like to keep in touch.
Peggy Tsaganos
March 9th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Hey, everyone. Some names on here ring a bell, but I don’t remember many faces. Regardless, hope you are all well. trying to go to Greece this summer. Have not been back since 1999! How awful is that?
Funny, I found this thing on Nestani. I don’t even know how I got here. hehehehehe…
March 14th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
my name is paraskevas bolos, son of konstantinos bolos and sotera bolos…..my grandfather was andreas bolos and grandmother panayiota reveliotis on my dad’s side…..on my mothers side she is a haralambos and her father was dimitri haralambos and her mom was konstantina liapis…I came to u.s. in 1954 and reside in perry, utah…..anyone with ancestor ties get back ….thanks for this site
March 19th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
My name is Matina and my family come from Levidi. I have a friend who’s grandfather is from Nestani. We are coming to Greece in September and are wishing to visit Nestani and Levidi. We are planning to take the bus from Athens to Tripoli and were wondering if there is a local bus to Nestani and and/or Levidi.
Any suggestions woul be greatly appreciated.
March 21st, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Hello Matina, gou can take the local bus to take you to Levidi and Nestani too.
You can take the local bus from Plateia Petrinou and buck since morning (08:00) untill evening (22:00) it will take you from nestani and bring you buck to Tripolis.
GEIA.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Hola a todos, mi nombre es yiorgos papagiannis naci en argentina mi abuelo nació en arkadía su nombre era teodoro papagiannis desde hace 6 años vivo en barcelona españa.
si alguien sabe algo bienvenido sea.
un cordial saludo muchas gracias.
yiorgos
April 10th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Hi Petra,
Thank you for the information about the local buses. Looking forward to visiting Nestani in September.
Matina
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 am
Hello to Nestani friends,
Greetings from Tokyo Japan
It has been a while since I droopeed in here
great to see this site is doing well.
P J Kottaras PhD
May 29th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Hello to all,
I came across this website by accident when doing a search on my fathers village Nestani. My father was born in Nestani in 1931 his name was Yiorgos Moustakopoulos, but shortened it to George Poulos when he migrated to Australia in 1944. He lives in Sydney Australia. My aunties also born in Nestani are Olymbia and Stavroula – they live in Melbourne Australia. Helen lives in Banff Canada, Alexandra lives in Tripoli, Greece. My uncle was the priest of Nestani Yianni Moustakopoulos, but tragically died in a hit and run accident in 2000. I visited Greece and Nestani in 1988 and loved it.
June 8th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hi, my name is Marina and I’m from Sydney, Australia.My grandfather, Peter, came to Australia from Nestani in 1912. He worked in his brother George’s shop in Sydney when he first arrived. His parents were Athanasios and Stavroula PANAGAKIS. I’m interested to hear from anybody who knows anything else about my family. Cheers, Marina
June 21st, 2008 at 11:01 am
Hi .Marina from Sydney,
A George Panagakis was brought to the United States from Nestani in 1920 when he was 14 by his cousin Constantinos Theodosiou. George Panagakis many years later was married to Helen. Is your family somehow related to the Theodosious from Nestani? Their name was changed to Theodore in the late 1920s.
Ted Theodore
August 20th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Hey everyone. My name is Costa Bourantanis and I am from Montreal, Canada. My Grandfather Costa Bourantanis Sr was born in Nestani in 1932. He has two brothers, Andreas who still lives in Nestani and Jimmy who lives in Florida, and two Sisters living in Montreal Keti and Roula. Thank you for making this website dedicated to Nestani and its great to read all the comments from everyone! Message back if there are any ties or relations. Thanks!
August 29th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Hi everyone, I came across some more photos of Nestani, you can take a look at them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29274842@N02/sets/72157606562766488/
September 11th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Hey all
well i was born in Nestani a beautiful village in 1970 move to the states when
i was 3
nice to this site
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 am
Hello again -
Still looking for my grandfather and grandmother’s relatives in Nestani – would love some help!
My grandfather was Constantinos Theodosiou Kogeones born in Tspiana in August or September 1882. My grandmother was named Constantina, and she was born in Tsipiana 30 July 1891. Her mother’s name was Calliope.
Alternate spellings on available records include Kyionas and Coghioni (most likely phonetic spellings by clerks on the passenger ship).
My grandfather had a brother who lived in the Chicago area. My grandfather lived in Oroville, California, and worked for many years on the railroad.
They had 4 children –
Efaristo!
Craig Williams
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:49 am
I visited Greece last May as a port city of our cruise. We stayed for 5 days. My Greek friend always spoke with such beautiful memories of his homeland so I had to visit. I must tell you I was not disappointed. It is so beautiful. My next trip will be a cruise of all the Greek islands. My daughter in-law compared a traditional Greek salad to my Greek salad. I had been taught well. I was surprised how much Greece reminded me of my home state of Utah. My group all commented on how much I looked like a native Greek citizen. What a wonderful experience we all had. What a beautiful country you have.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
REUNION IN NESTANI THIS SUMMER
Central Society Tsipianiton of Chicago is planning a reunion in our village and we ask all the Tsipianites from all over the world to join us.
Date: July 20, 2009 to August 20, 2009.
There will be planned activities, sponsored by the National, Provincial and Local governments for the week of July 27 or the week of August 3. We ask that you set this time aside for these activities.
Please E-mail us if you plan to come and give us the number of people in your group.
We need your response before the end of January 2009.
You may write to: info@nestani.com or NestaniChicago@aol.com
Looking forward to seeing all of you in Nestani.
Sincerely,
Dino Alex, President, James C. Papadakis, General Secretary, Jim Angelopoulos, Treasurer.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Hi to all friends of Nestani.
My name is Toula and I’m from Melbourne Australia and both my parents were born and bred in Nestani. My dad was Constantinos Karamitos and my mother is Katerina Panousieris. I was fortunate to take my family back to Nestani in 2006 and found it to be a very moving experience to see where my heritage began. The village has definitely improved from the early 70s when I first visited it – or perhaps I have grown up and now see its true beauty. I was wondering if there is anyone in Chicago who might know my mother’s brother – James Panousieris. He has three sisters Olympia, Agapi and my mother Katerina? Thankyou for the photos as they were a nice reminder of the wonderful time we had there.
Cheers from Australia.
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I wonder whether someone on this board can help me/ is my relative (most obviously James Constantine Papadakis). I am trying to trace my ancestry and present day day relatives. My great great grandfather was Panagiotis Papadakis of Tripolis, probably born around 1790. He features in a book on the web published in 1888 about Peloponesian Men. The entry is as follows (I don’t understand much of it, I am afraid):
ΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΗΣ ΠΑΠΑΔΑΚΗΣ Ἦτον καὶ οὗτος ἀπὸ τὴν Τριπολιτσᾶν, ἔμπορος τὸ ἐπάγγελμα· ὑπηρέτησε δὲ πολιτικῶς εἰς τὸ τοπικὸν σύστημα, ὡς ἔφορος καὶ δημογέροντας, διὰ τὸ εὐϋπόληπτον δὲ τοῦ χαρακτῆρός του, ἡ Γερουσία μετεχειρίσθη αὐτὸν, εἰς τὴν εἴσπραξιν χρημάτων, καὶ διὰ τὰ κανδήλια τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν, τὰ ὁποῖα ἐχρησίμευσαν εἰς τὰς ἀνάγκας τοῦ πολέμου.
The title of the book :
ΒΙΟΙ
ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΙΩΝ ΑΝΔΡΩΝ
ΚΑΙ ΤΩΝ ΕΞΩΘΕΝ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΟΝ ΕΛΘΟΝΤΩΝ
ΚΛΗΡΙΚΩΝ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΑΓΩΝΙΣΑΜΕΝΩΝ ΤΟΝ ΑΓΩΝΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΠΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΕΩΣ
ΣΥΓΓΡΑΦΕΝΤΕΣ ΜΕΝ ΥΠΟ ΦΩΤΙΟΥ ΧΡΥΣΑΝΘΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ Η ΦΩΤΑΚΟΥ ΠΡΩΤΟΥ ΥΠΑΣΠΙΣΤΟΥ ΤΟΥ Θ. ΚΟΛΟΚΟΤΡΩΝΗ
ΕΚΔΟΘΕΝΤΕΣ ΔΕ ΥΠΟ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥ ΑΝΔΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ ΑΡΕΟΠΑΓΙΤΟΥ
ΕΝ ΑΘΗΝΑΙΣ ΕΚ ΤΟΥ ΤΥΠΟΓΡΑΦΕΙΟΥ Π. Δ. ΣΑΚΕΛΛΑΡΙΟΥ 1888
ΠΡΟΛΟΓΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΣΥΓΓΡΑΦΕΩΣ
HIs sons were: Demetrios born 1818 (Mayor of Ermoupolis after graduating from the Gymnasio of Nafplio and working in Trieste and Manchester); Iannis born 1826 who also worked in Manchester; Vassilis who had Panos, Emmanuel, Christos, Iannis , Maria and Koula ( Christos having Vasilis, Eleni (Drouva) and Antonis) Koula (Stefanou) having Stefanos; Christos who had Eleni (Hadzipetrou), Aglaia (Katsikogianni); Konstantinos who had Eleni (Mantessi) and Panadzis; and Giorgios.
Any suggestions or hints would be very welcome.
John Constatine Papadachi
March 7th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
this is very nice veiw of nestani, my yia yia is from there, her madien name was ^
i cant wait till i get to vist here when i go to greece soon
March 11th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
John Constantine Papadachi asked about his roots and how they may be related to the papadakis family of Nestani. Please write to papadakis@aol.com and I’ll give you all the info regarding the Papadakis family from Nestani.
May 13th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
This site was exciting. My grandfather, Charles Reveliotis was from Nestani. He came to America when he was just 13 years old with his brother, Philip. We have many relatives there and in the Arkadia area. I have done a lot of geneology on family and could not believe my eyes when I came across this site by accident. I see many comments from people who have names that I have found in my family research. I want to know more and all that I can find about family who live there or came from there. Please contact me by e-mail steverevell@yahoo.com if you have any information or have people related to our Reveliotis family.
June 18th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
My name is Nikos Htenas. My mother is Katerina Tsiambas,daughter of Alekos and Sophia Tsiambas. My mother left Nestani in 1958 and went to Toronto, met my dad Panagiotis from Kapsia,Arcadia.I was born in Toronto in 1959. I lived in Argos in 1961 and then again from 1970 to 1973. Back to Toronto until moving to London,Ontario in 1975. I have rellatives in Toronto,London and Chicago. I would love to hear from anyone that knows me from my summer visits to Nestani,living in Argos of from Canada of US.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I was wondering if anyone can help me locate my paternal family. My father was born in Nestani in 1893- Georgios Mpachramis (I am not sure I have the spelling correct). I believe my grandmothers name was Constance and he had at least two sisters one was named – Katerina. My father left Nestani when he was 13 years old and went to Chicago and then on to Ohio. If anyone has any information please contact me at cwisnyai@yahoo.com.
Also, can anyone tell me the name of the local cemetery?
Thank you, Constance
September 21st, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Hi there, My grandfather left Nestani for Salt Lake City Utah, eventually settling in Montreal where he married a lady from Athens. Wondering if there are any Borovilou in Nestani?
December 5th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
I was wondering if someone can help me find my father’s family. My grandfather’s name is Vassilous Papadakis from the village of St Nicklos served in the Greek army. My father’s name is Panagiotis Papadakis. MY FATHER HAD A BROTHER AND A Sister I do not know their names. I have heard my fatyher mention the Strattos family. Might be my grandmother’s name or something. Thank you_Jimmy
December 10th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Hi, I received an email from one of the Matsimanis girls but I can’t find it. If anyone out there has her email please send it to me I need to send her pictures of Stavros Syrengelas Matsimanis.
Thanks,
Andy Pazeotopoulos
andypazz@comcast.net
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 am
to MARINA PANGAS(PANAGAKIS):my grandmother was named pagas and i have a lot of relatives with this name!:D….anybody want to talk with me thats my mail! mmiiggii@hotmail.com…
January 14th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Hello everyone!
I had the pleasure of visiting Nestani in ‘95. Both of my parents are from Nestani my dad Andreas Maniatis & my mom Dimita Karamitos came to Montreal Canada in 1960. I am actually teaching my Mother how to use the internet & the first thing she wanted to research… was her hometown. She has an aunt who is still living in Nestani, her name is Evagelitsa (Karamitou) Mandelou- wife of the late Mihalaki. She also has a cousin Nikodouka (Karamitos) Most of our family left Nestani & either came to Montreal or they went to Australia (Soula & Georgia Karamitos Kappos & Families). We have lots of family in Chicago ( George Tsakopoulos Family, Panayiotis Spentzos Family & Dimitri Foundalas Family)
My Dad’s “patriko spiti” is the 2nd to last house on the right – just before Ayios Nikolaos Church( in Milia) Both my maternal grandparents (George Karamitos a.k.a. Kamaras 1973 & Georgia Tsakopoulos Karamitos2005) are buried in Nestani ( Ayios Nilokaos Cemetary) My paternal grandfather (Panayiotis Maniatis 1989- originally from Bikerni) is buried sti Milia. My Yiayia Konstantina Kyres Maniatis, just recently passed away at the ripe old age of 90. She asked to be buried here in Montreal “konta sta pedia tis” If anyone out there thinks that we are related or perhaps knows any of my family members – please give me a shout!
sincerely
Tina Maniatis Marks
March 7th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
To Helen Borovilos,
My father’s mother (Konstantina Borovilos Mpachramis) and father were all from Nestani. I know she had a sister that married a Koigonis and I believe another sister married a Chacos. Konstantina Borovilos died in 1936. I know very little about this side of the family. Since Nestani is so small perhaps Konstantina’s brother was one of your ancestors.
Constance Wisnyai
May 7th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Hello all my xopiani,
I am so plaesed that so many of us are trying to get in touch with our family roots! My grandmother was Eleni Letsos and my grandfather was Dimitri Karonis tou Constantino. they had 4 children George (my father), Xpristo, Panayiota & Fotini. My Uncle Xpisto & Aunt Pitsa live in the Milia & my other Aunt Fotini lives in Tripoli. My Brother’s godparents live in Nestani they have a restaurant there in the platia – Surname is Margiolas.
The last time I was in the xopio was back in 1996 on my honeymoon – I now have 3 children and would like to take them to Greece next year! Just wondering if anyone knows my family that lives in Nestani & if anyone will be there next year! Would love to catch up! Hope to see you in 2011.
Yia sas!
Helen
May 27th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
This is a wonderful website! I cannot wait to introduce my father to it! Our family name is Syrengelas, and our soy is in southern California. My father’s name is Demetrios,and he came to America in 1951. He is the oldest son of six siblings, born to Konstantinos and Athansia (yiayia’s maiden name is Arvanitis) Syrengelas.
Theo Andy, it is great to see your posts. It has been too long since we have seen eachother. Hopefully you will read this and send a reply.
Pete Panos, it is great to see your posts as well. Drop me a line when you get a chance.
Craig Williams, I live in Garden Grove. Maybe my father knows about your family. Drop me a line at george@syrengelas.net.
June 27th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Any relatives out there? Probably. My name is George Cooper Bell (04/23/1978) and I live in Charlotte, NC now. I am 1/2 Greek and recently found out some interesting stuff on the Ellis Island website regarding my great grandfather.
My great grandfather, Demetris Tsangalis (American name: James George Cooper), was born in Tspiana/Nestani around 1887. He came to the US around 1900 when he was 13 years old. Looking at the Ellis Island records, the records show that my great grandfather, Demetris Tsangalis, had lived in Chester, PA from 1900-1908. Then, Ellis Island records show that when Demetris was 21 years old he went back to Nestani to get his brother Constantino Tsangalis. In 1909, Demetris (22 years old) and Constantino (my great “Uncle Gus”) (age 15), departed from Smyrne Turkey on the Patris, which was a new ship built for the Greek line in 1909.
Upon arrival at Ellis island, the ship manifest reports that the two brothers were going to join a relative, John Gouvatos (spelling?) in Wilmington, Deleware. According to my Mom, John Gouvatos had a candy store in Wilminton, DE around this time.
In 1994, when I was 16 years old, my parents and I visited Greece with my grandfather (George James Cooper 9/1/1919 – April 1996). We stayed in Athens and one day took the trip to Nestani. I have a special memory of my grandfather and the local Nestanites, as we all watched from a distance, as he conversed with 2nd and 3rd cousins in the town plaza area and drank coffee.
Some day I hope to take my family there too. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any information regarding my family. gcb141@yahoo.com
Thanks! George Bell
August 19th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
I am looking forwarad to hear from Rhonda Panagiotopoulos from Australia. Rhonda your husband Vassilios and I grew in Nestani together and were very close friends, I left for U.S. in 1963 , fathers name was Elias and my mother wa Dimitra. I have tried several times to contact your Vassili, I had a fruit market in Milwaukee Wisc. long time ago and I met his brother Gregory and he gave me your address but some how I lost it. you can contact me at jvirvilos@global.net thank you.
August 31st, 2010 at 12:04 am
my name is ellie and i am greek, born in chicago. i am 40 years old and trying to find out information on my grandfather who died in 2006 in chicago. i know nothing of the history of my family. some of these blogs seems familiar with names. i know my grandfather (gus pappas) had brothers, tom, john, and george. there was even a tula. far as i can gather and thats just maybe, his name was formerly constantino panagopulos. any one with info please send my way. i know he was born 1910 not sure exactly where.