Some of my ancestors were from the southwestern part of Macedonia, in what is now northern Greece, but was then part of the Ottoman empire. They were from a few small villages around the city of Lerin (Greek name Florina): Lagen (or Lagin, Greek name Triantifilia), Nered (or Neret), Babcho (or Bapchor).

Of course, the surnames changed each generation, but at the time they emigrated, they were DIMITROV, EVANOV, and ROUZI (or RUZHI). The NAUMCHEV and ASPROV families may also have been related. Most of them fled from Macedonia during the first Balkan Wars, around 1908-1914, and went to America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Does anyone have relatives from this area, and/or with those surnames? Any advice on how to do research there would also be appreciated.

I've recently learned two of my great-grandmothers' names:
Sophia PETRO and Pauna STOYOVA. Both lived in the area
around Lerin (modern Florina), Macedonia, in the latter
half of the 19th century. Any links with anybody?

Another family that interacted with mine was that of Hristo
PETREVSKI. Could PETREVSKI and PETRO be different versions
of the same name? Somehow, Hristo's daughter acquired the
name Vasilka KATINI; I'm told this was her birth name, not
a married name. Does anyone understand how this works?

My Macedonian roots are from South East Macedonia. Kostur-Lerin area. I would be interested in talking to anyone tracing Macedonian Family History. I may be able to help them as I have many old Macedonian books, newspapers etc. I am interested in everything Macedonian!

I read your message that you've posted about macedonian family history.I'm a macedonian with different roots.My father was born in tihio, kostur, in the east part of macedonia that belonged to Greece.My mother is from Poland and we live in macedonia.I love that part of macedonia in greece because i'm proud of my father.My parents live in Macedonia and now I live in the United States.I'm really proud of my macedonian culture althouugh I don't have any people around me that speak macedonian.However, i would like to hear more about what do you think about the people from East Macedonia.I'm sure you love them.From Marija.

My family are from Dolno Kotori (Kato Ydrusa) in the Lerin (Florina) region I was just wondering if you could assist me in learning more about my family before their names were changed.

Penov is a male ending... The female ending would be Penova or Penovska.
The name Popov is from (Popo, an Eastern Orthodox Priest) Your ancestor was probably a Priest in Dolno Kotori.
Dolno Kotori is an interesting village and not far from where my Grandparents were born. If I can help you with more information please feel free to write me: smurdesh@hotmail.com Good Luck, Marvin

I'd love to learn more. I did work w/ my dad's aunt in 1991-92 and dug up some interesting stuff. However, that work has been placed in a drawer or box since then. I need to get back into it.

Hello Cousin,

I would be very interested in talking to you. I am interested in knowing more about your aunt. Who is she? Did you tape record her? Have you ever traveled to our village in Macedonia? I will be going again to Europe in a couple of months. How are we related? Who's son are you?
Please send me an e-mail at... smurdesh@hotmail.com
All the best, Marvin

Looks like we may be cousins. Please get in touch by E-mail and let's compare notes.

-- Mark James

my parents and grandparents were all born in lagen florina.they know the asprov and naumchev families.they also reside in the northern suburbs of melbourne.