The book is the result of ten years of research and experience, presenting, in a practical and accessible manner, methods for searching genealogical and historical information.
It is aimed at descendants and organisations of Asia Minor Greeks, Pontians, Constantinopolitans, as well as all Greek populations of the Near East who were uprooted in the early 20th century.
The "Guide" acts as a valuable compass in the world of public and private archives, both within and outside Greece, shedding light on research paths that until now remained unknown or difficult to access.
With its guidance, you can locate: • testimonies • lists of refugees • certificates with photographs • population censuses • records of abandoned properties and many other important documents.
The edition is introduced by Dr. Giannis Glavinas, historian and archivist.
The Asia Minor Catastrophe does not belong only to the past. It is present in our collective memory, in family stories, in place names, in songs, and in the silences passed down through generations. It is the experience of loss, displacement, and the search for identity that continues to define us. The Guide for Genealogical & Historical Research of Asia Minor Greeks is intended for those who feel the inner need—or the duty—to seek their roots and reconstruct the lost history of their family and community. It serves as a compass in the demanding yet fascinating world of public and private archives, illuminating research pathways that until now seemed impassable. With clear and accessible language, the guide offers tools to transform memory from a fragmented narrative into documented knowledge. It is not simply a book for searching names and places; it is an invitation to return to memory and an act of responsibility towards future generations. For what is not recorded is lost; and in the traces of our ancestors, we seek not only names, but ourselves—a living memory that cannot wait, because Memory is another form of Dignity.
