Kythera-Family.net - for the world-wide Kytherian community: Surnames Book

KYTHERIAN SURNAMES - the book

On January 27th, 2003, the book, "KYTHERIAN SURNAMES", written by the editor of Kythiraika newspaper, Mr. Emmanouil Kalligeros, was introduced to the Kytherian and Hellenic public. The book launch was held at a special exhibition, organised by the Society of Kytherian Studies, at the Centre of the Kytherians. Response to the launch of the book was so great that people had to be turned away for lack of seating space.

Mr Nikos Petrochilos, the president of the Association of Kytherian Studies and the president of the Kytherian University Party, gave the introductory speech. The university professors, George I. Kasimatis, Pan. E. Vardas, George Leontsinis, Nikos Petrochilos, Ms Efi Karpodini-Dimitriadi (General Manager of Delta-Singular Training), George P. Kasimatis and G.N. Nikiforakis, lawyer, spoke in glowing terms about the book. Mr. Andreas Andrianopoulos, on a visit to South Korea, sent his testimony by fax, which was read by Nikos Petrochilos. Mr. G.Kalos, V.Mixaloliakos and the writer Mr. K. Mourselas honoured the author and the Kytherian Centre, with their presence at the exhibition.

The speakers spoke about the importance of studying family names, and local history, and of the positive impact the publication will have on promoting the study of Kytherian history. The book contains a detailed study 256 Kytherian family names, many deriving from the 13th century. All speakers agreed that through the study of family names and the history of families in general, a strong sense of Kytherian history emerged. The book uncovered new evidence about the composition of the human-name map of the island, the main branches of which have not changed for the past 5-6 centuries.

All speakers agreed that Kalligeros's love of the island, and the Kytherian people, came through very clearly in the text of the book. The writing was an arduous labour of love - which lasted 16 years, between inception and publication. Emmanouil Kalligeros made it clear that the book, despite being almost 800 pages long, represented only a beginning. The invitation is open for new researchers to add, correct and bring new elements to this research.

Special thanks were directed by the Association and the writer to the committee of the Nicholas A. Aroney Trust of Australia, and Professor Manuel Aroney, for contributing to the substantial publishing costs. Manuel Aroney was also instrumental in inspiring Mr Kalligeros to proceed to finalise the manuscript, ready for publication.

English translation: As the text of the book is in Greek, it was agreed that some means must be found to publish an English translation as soon as possible. The Kythera-Family.net website team has organised its translation and have engaged the bilingual translator and leading member of the Kythera Cultural Association for the job. As each surname is translated it will appear in this section of the site. Upon completion we will publish the book in English.

You can view those surname histories which have been translated by clicking on them in the column to the left of this one.

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The last copy of a 1000 print-run was purchased by entrepreneur, Peter Magiros, for Aus$2000 at the NSW Parliamentary Luncheon in honour of Nikos Petrochilos, President of the Society, on November 2nd, 2005.

The book was also available for sale in bookstores in Greece, and on Kythera.

The book was also available from the offices of the Society of Kytherian Studies,
Contact the Society here

- the other 16 books of the Society can be ordered here!

Kytherian Surnames was also available directly from Emmanouil Kalligeros:

Ordering from Greece:
Emmanouil Kalligeros
Megistis 31 St.
Kalamaki 17455
Athens, Greece
210-9885982.
210-9827436
mobile 0944641726.

You can contact Emmanouil Kalligeros here

25 euros each + 18 euros postage and handling.

Copies of the book were available for purchase directly, in Australia through

George C Poulos
42 Eastern Avenue
Dover Heights 2030 NSW
02 93888320

You can contact George Poulos here

Cost $80
Delivery: Sydney Free.
Postage Rates within Australia for Kytherian Surname's Book
NSW $5.80, Vic & Qld $8.40, SA $9.00, Tas $10.80, WA $11.80

Hopefully a second edition (in Greek) will be printed in the near future.

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The book was introduced to a wider Australian Kytherian audience at the Karavitiko Symposium 2003. The universal praise of the book by all who perused it was that it was "a Kytherian Bible!" A book that just has to find its way into every Kytherian home.

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George C Poulos, from information supplied by Emmanouil Kalligeros.