Our Greek Roots

Although Greece became a sovereign nation in the mid- 18th century, it was among the poorest countries of Europe. It was understandable that the allure of a "New World", especially that of the United States of America, with promise of work and wealth would attact a notable number of Greeks.

The allure of America, news of its freedoms and promise, resulted in four major waves of immigration from Greece. The first took place in the late 18th century, the second took place between the 1920s-1930s, the third took place after the end of the Second World War and a fourth, and last major immigration wave took place between the late 1950s-late 1960s.

Life for all immigrants to America, especially those of the first two waves, was particularly harsh and challenging. Much of this has been detailed by Jane Jurgens HERE.

Nevertheless, almost all Greek immigrants soon made their own success stories. Western Pennsylvania was no exception. While Greeks labored in the mines and steel mills, many tested their innovative capacity in small enterprise. From coffee shops, to confectionaries, to diners, and restaurants. From 1910, there were more than 50 diners, coffee houses, confectionaries in downtown Pittsburgh, Wylie Avenue, and the North Shore, owned and successfully-operated by Greek immigrants. Among the very first movie theaters of Pittsburgh, two were opened by Greek immigrants and ran successfully for many years.

The Greek Nationality Room inside the Cathedral of Learning of the University of Pittsburgh was built and dedicated by the immigrants of the first and second waves. In fact, the inscriptions on the back of each of the chairs inside the Room indicate the origins in Greece of those first immigrants.

Below, is a map showing the origins of the majority of the Greek immigrants to Western Pennsylvania. HERE, we provide a summary of our experience as immigrants and our contributions to the area.

Please scroll further down and click on each of the buttons to learn about the history, people, and culture of each of the regions, islands, towns, and villages from where our ancestors came from.