Looking for my grandfather's military records

Michelle45900

Hello -

I am looking for my grandfather's military records or marriage certficiates from Greece - Jacob Ovadia GY61-FRY.

Thank you in advance.

Greek_Genealogy_Lover

Hi there

I can see that your grandfather was born in the city of Drama. Drama is situated in Northern Greece, and this area was under the Ottoman administration until 1912. All the non-Muslim citizens of the Ottoman empire were not obliged to serve in the Ottoman army, but they were paying a heavy tax instead. Ovadia is a very well-known Jewish surname, especially in the city of Thessaloniki, so I suppose your grandfather had a Jewish heritage (excuse me if I am wrong about this). Unless if he had served in the Greek army from 1912 until the year he left for America, from which period you will find nothing in the Greek military records… Also finding any type of marriage certificate would be almost impossible: the Jewish community of Greece was almost annihilated by the Nazis, and their properties, places of worship and archives were destroyed…

Nevertheless, a great research has become by the Jewish community of Thessaloniki about the history of the community. I have the feeling that if you contact the stuff of the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki, you'll find interesting information about your family, especially because this surname was also present in this city. The link to the page of the museum is this: http://www.jmth.gr/

I wish you good luck, and please inform me if you find anything interesting.

(name removed)

Ashlee C.

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