Halvangis

Birth and Death Records of Irene Alexiou Halvatzis (1864-1929) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 21)

Birth and Death Records of Irene Alexiou Halvatzis (1864-1929) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 21)

These are said to be the birth and death certificates of my 2nd great grandmother, Irene Alexiou Halvatyis (1864-1929). I am grateful to Antonis Chaldeos of Trace Your Greek Roots for finding them.

A Family Bible from the Teamsters Local Union 299 - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 6)

A Family Bible from the Teamsters Local Union 299 - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 6)

My maternal grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973), drove truck for a living in the city of Detroit, Michigan. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local Union No. 299. When he died, his Teamster Brothers presented our family with this Holy Bible.

A Grandmother's Rose Petal Rosary - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 4)

A Grandmother's Rose Petal Rosary - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 4)

This rosary was made from the dried rose petals that adorned the casket of my maternal grandmother, Claire Pawlowski Halvangis (1916-1980). It was subsequently used by my older brother when he made his First Holy Communion.

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Home From War, A Soldier Visits His In-laws (1944)

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Home From War, A Soldier Visits His In-laws (1944)

This is an interesting grouping of men in my family tree. My grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973) stands with his father in-law, two brothers in-law, and two nephews some time between 1943 and 1945. Photo was colorized by Okkama Colorizations at The Psychogenealogist (2019).

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Mystery Marriage or Record Keeping Mistake? Maria Chardoulias Halvangis (1894-1951)

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Mystery Marriage or Record Keeping Mistake? Maria Chardoulias Halvangis (1894-1951)

A mystery is brewing on the Halvangis/Chardoulias branch of my family tree. Was my great grandmother married once BEFORE she married my great grandfather or is this a records keeping mistake? Here is what I know.

My Grandfather and the Greenlandic Inuit During WWII

My Grandfather and the Greenlandic Inuit During WWII

In May of 1943 my grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973), made his way to Greenland as a member of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. There he met some of the indigenous people of the island, The Greenlandic Inuit. Here are some of his amazing photographs.

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#115) - The Oak Hotel of Presque Isle, Maine

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#115) - The Oak Hotel of Presque Isle, Maine

The Oak Hotel in Presque Isle, Maine was probably the temporary home of my grandparents in the early 1940s. My grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973) was stationed their briefly during WWII.

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Baptisms and Moon Landings

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Baptisms and Moon Landings

The baptism of my grandparent’s first grandchild happened on the same day humans stepped on the moon for the first time. Here is that story.

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"Dziadzio" - My Polish Great Grandpa: Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959)

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"Dziadzio" - My Polish Great Grandpa: Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959)

My great grandfather, Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959) was known as “Dziadzio” by my mother and her generation. He was a quiet man, perhaps because he spoke little English. His hands seemed permanently yellowed from cigarettes and he had false teeth that he kept in a glass next to his bed. This is his story.

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James J. Halvis (1896-1987): A Greek Family Mystery Is Solved

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James J. Halvis (1896-1987): A Greek Family Mystery Is Solved

James J. Halvis (1896-1987) was my 1st cousin 3x removed. Until now there had been an unclear connection between his family and my own Halvangis line. Here is the story of how this Greek mystery was solved.

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James William Halvangis (1920-1973): "Meeting" My Grandfather Through Photographs

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James William Halvangis (1920-1973): "Meeting" My Grandfather Through Photographs

James William Halvangis (1920-1973), my maternal grandfather, was the only one of my four grandparents who died before I was born. I’ve enjoyed “meeting” him through photographs. I hope you will too.

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The Halvangis Family at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, MI.

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The Halvangis Family at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, MI.

Several of my Halvangis family are buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, MI. Here are some videos I took of my recent trip there.

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When Friends Become Family: The Elissavitis Siblings of Kokkari

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When Friends Become Family: The Elissavitis Siblings of Kokkari

The deep friendship between the Elissavitis and Halvangis families that began in Kokkari in Samos, Greece spanned two countries and many decades. Here is the story of how from friends they became family.

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From Samos, Greece to Detroit By Way of The Themistocles: Constantinos "Gust" Halvangis (1886-1928)

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From Samos, Greece to Detroit By Way of The Themistocles: Constantinos "Gust" Halvangis (1886-1928)

The story of my 2nd great uncle, what little I know, from Samos, Greece to Detroit. He travelled on The Themistocles in 1915. Can you help me find the rest of his story?

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Finding Vasilios Demetrio Halvangis

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Finding Vasilios Demetrio Halvangis

Here's the story of how I found genealogy records of my great grandfather, Vasilios Demetrio Halvangis (1891-1937). Born on the island of Samos, Greece, he came to the U.S. in 1911 on the S.S. Martha Washington. 

Greek Couple Weds in Waterloo - 1919

Greek Couple Weds in Waterloo - 1919

Here is the wedding story of my Greek immigrant great-grandparents, Vasilios Halvangis and Maria Chardoulias in Waterloo, Iowa in 1919. 

Genealogy Case Study: Maria Tsardoulia and Her Travel Records

Genealogy Case Study: Maria Tsardoulia and Her Travel Records

Learning about your family story through travel and immigration records can be an exhilarating experience. Here is a brief, though incomplete, case study in how I learned more about my great-grandmother, Maria Tsardoulia (1894-1951) and her journey to the United States from Greece in 1916.

My Grandmother, Claire (Pawlowski) Halvangis, and The Election of 1916

My Grandmother, Claire (Pawlowski) Halvangis, and The Election of 1916

On August 15 of 1916, my grandmother, Claire (Pawlowski) Halvangis, was born in Detroit, MI. Her parents, Adam Pawlowski and Mary Grzeskowiak, were Polish immigrants and came to the United States somewhere in between 1880 and 1900. This was the very first blog post at The Psychogenealogist!