Forums » Corfu family connections

• Busy Bee

  

  • 3 posts
   

  January 16, 2011 4:40:58 PM EET

  Whether you are on the island or not perhaps you can help, because this is a case of who you might know here on the island. 

  Marie Swarbrick has contacted us from New Zealand. She is asking for our help to find members of her long lost family. The surname of her family is Matsas (Mazza). Perhaps you might know from which part of the island this surname originates from?

  Marie's grandfather was called Albert Matsas and her grandmother Maria. They were both born in Corfu. Marie believes that her grandfather was from the Jewish faith, so is there a possibility he is from the Jewish quarter of Corfu Town?

  They emigrated to Cairo in Eygpt. Marie's mother, Vanda, was born there on July 30, 1924. Albert Matsas was an accountant. Albert, Maria and family then emigrated to New Zealand in 1943.

  Marie Swarbrick, grand daughter of Albert and Maria very much wants to find extended family from both side of her grandparents' family trees. Maire is a member of the Corfu Club and would ask anybody with any ideas of how she might find them to either respond in this forum, or contact her directly via her profile. She has also posted some old photos in the club's photo album showing family members in the hope that they might mean something to somebody.  

• Emma Wood

  

  • 46 posts
   

  January 31, 2011 7:49:10 PM EET

  Research is indicating that the Matsas family are in Argentina. Phone numbers and addresses are proving difficult to track down though. Kostas Grammenos, club member, who has helped with the research has managed to obtain a collection of photos of the Matsas family. This interesting insight to years gone by is shown in a photo gallery that Kostas has created under the Albums section of this website. As soon as we have more information we shall publish an update.
• Marie Swarbrick

  

  • 3 posts
   

  February 3, 2011 11:06:18 PM EET

  Thank you all so much for the effort you are all making to find my family.  Especially you Emma. I can hardly believe after all these years I have an access to finding my extended family . My mother was amazing and a very courageous women coming to New Zealand with my father as a war bride. facing all the difficulties  It is a new country almost like going back in time those days not speaking english very well. Losing a child on the way over. My grandfather was a hero working supporting the New Zealand soldiers in the desert in Egypt during the second world war and managed Mardi Camp where my father met my mother. They married in Egypt my father was injured and they came to New Zealand. My grandfather Albert my grandmother Maria and my uncle Marco who is surived in New Zealnd by his New Zealand born wife and three sons.The only information i have is photos they never talked about any other family members. If I asked my mother she would only say she thought members of her family went away to another country to live. I am now 66years old I have a wonderful Husband Graeme Three fabulous sons two of whom are married Jamie Robbie and Michael and 5 grandchildren three girls and two boys Thomas is 7years old Ella  6  Alara 4  Amelia 4  Lucas 2  . I will post some photos some time. I live on a wonderful Island the north of New Zealand call Waiheke island about the same size as Corfu and if I look at the terrain of Corfu Waiheke island s very similar there are 9000 pernament residents here and it swells in the summer to 30,000  or more. It is a place where a lot of brides come to get married about 700 come over every year. It is very beautiful. We are very blessed. I am blessed to have you all in my life doing what you can to help. Thank you so much again I look forward to hearing from you.  Lots of Love  Marie        
• Sue Tsirigotis

  

  • 3 posts
   

  February 7, 2011 10:42:53 PM EET

  Emma Wood said:Research is indicating that the Matsas family are in Argentina. Phone numbers and addresses are proving difficult to track down though. Kostas Grammenos, club member, who has helped with the research has managed to obtain a collection of photos of the Matsas family. This interesting insight to years gone by is shown in a photo gallery that Kostas has created under the Albums section of this website. As soon as we have more information we shall publish an update. When trying to see the albums a Message says "You do not have permission to view this private page." ??
  This post was edited by Sue Tsirigotis at February 7, 2011 10:43:36 PM EET
• Emma Wood

  

  • 46 posts
   

  February 7, 2011 11:10:56 PM EET

  Hi Sue, I have noted you haven't been able to get into the album - Kostas Grammenos Gallery. A gallery is for public viewing. Were you double clicking on the photo or were you clicking on Kostas Grammenos' profile which he may have opted to only show friends? I shall get Alex our IT guy to check it out. Best wishes - Emma
• Christine Pouli

  

  • 7 posts
   

  February 8, 2011 2:16:43 PM EET

  Thanks Emma for this lovely story, It just shows the wonders of the internet. I am so pleased that Maria has found her family, thanks to your hard work you have made her a very happy person.
• Sue Tsirigotis

  

  • 3 posts
   

  February 8, 2011 3:53:36 PM EET

  I went to Albums tab and clicked matsas family under photo both Marias and Kostas.
• Marie Swarbrick

  

  • 3 posts
   

  February 8, 2011 8:48:16 PM EET

  Hi Sue
  I have just received your message thank you. I have tried again but it still comes up private page. Regards Marie
• Sue Tsirigotis

  

  • 3 posts
   

  February 8, 2011 8:53:51 PM EET

  Marie do you mean you are having the same problem as me?
• Emma Wood

  

  • 46 posts
   

  February 8, 2011 10:16:32 PM EET

  We have worked out what's what. It's not the system, it's Kostas' privacy settings, he probably hasn't realised that he got them set for maximum privacy, so nobody can see the photos bless him, I shall text him now. I can see them because we are friends. Sue if you can't see Marie's its probably for the same reason. Marie can you check out who you have opted to show your profile too. If just to your friends, then this would explain why I can see them and Sue can't.
• Marie Swarbrick

  

  • 3 posts
   

  February 17, 2011 8:15:12 AM EET

  Thankyou I have been able to view the photos. Sue I would love to be your friend especially you Emma You have been awesome.