Discovering an Old Photo and with It, Some Family History

by Janine Tegu

I always thought that there weren’t that many Greeks/Vlachs in the Vermont area (I guess my mistake).  I always thought that there were a lot more in the Massachusetts and the New Hampshire area.

Well, some time ago, I found this photo taken July 26, 1931 at Lake Hortonia, Vermont. It would now take folks from St. Johnsbury, NH, 2 hrs 22 min. by car to get to Lake Hortonia.  God knows how long it took them to get there in 1931!

I tried not to open up the original photo too many times – it measures approximately 30″L x 6″ w and it made me feel that I was opening a ‘Dead Sea Scroll’ as it was so creased and difficult to unwind and impossible to lay flat.  But it was amazing to see how many people attended the Second Annual Picnic Vermont Chapter Order of AHEPA #244.  (AHEPA’s mission is to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.)

The photo was taken by A.A. Murray, Rutland, VT.  I think I counted about 150 people and I found 4 Vlachs from my dad’s family (his mom, his 2 sisters, and a nephew).  There might be other Vlachs.

I created a PDF of the Tegu family members who attended the picnic, along with their names. I added the names of the Tegus who were either not in the photo or did not attend (see arrows in red with a number that corresponds to their names on the chart). I did this in case it helps people in genealogy searches.

I wonder, since there are some Vlachs in the photo, if any of you who are Farsharotu subscribers might also find family members in the photo.  I was able to find my grandmother and her two daughters and grandson immediately.

Happy searching!