The Matthews' Party Photo Album

In 1882, at just 15 years of age, Paniota gave birth to their first child, Nestor, in Varvitsa, Greece (pointed out above by Nestor's daughter-in-law, Catherine Matthews). Nestor, who was named after Paniota's father, left for America in 1900 at the age of 18. He was sponsored in America by his Uncle Vangeli, who lived in Lubbock, Texas, USA. Nestor never returned to Greece.

As Nestor earned enough money, he arranged for his younger brothers - Demetri (hereafter, "Jim") and George - to also come to America. All three brothers married and ended up in New Jersey. One by one they each opened their own business (restaurants and ice cream parlors) and were very successful. George and his family eventually moved to Springfield, Pennsylvania (pointed out below by George's granddaughter, Leslie Criston). Both Jim and George returned to Varvitsa, Greece for long visits.

The youngest brother, Sarantos, married and remained in Varvitsa. The "baby" sister, Vasiliki, married someone within the village and never came to America.

Today, there are many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren - some of whom assembled in New Jersey on August 21, 1999 to welcome Jim's daugher, Marie Matthews Ladd (shown below), who was visiting from California.

Visitors Since 11-28-00