I am searching for any information on the Karabelas/Kourbelis family. My Grandfather was John Karabelas & my Grandmother was Bessie Kourbelis. I know my Grandmother was from Sparta, and my Grandfather came from some small mining town in Greece. I know they came over to the United States Between 1895-1907. Some of the Karabelas went to Mass., but my Grandfather settled in Wisconsin. If any one has any information at all, it would be greatly appreciated.

My grandfather was James Speros Karabelas from Itelo(spelling maybe wrong) Sparta Greece. He married Panoria Demotroulakos in Lowell, MA. I believe he was born in 1881. His parents where Speros and Eleni.
James lived in Peabody,MA and worked as a barber.

I was very excited to see your e-mail. I am having a hard time finding anything on the Karabelas Family. It is possible that there is a connection. My husband's Grandfather's (John Karabelas) family lived in the Peabody, MA area. Also, John Karabelas was a barber. I will get back to you, I will contact one of my husband's Aunt's to see if this info sounds familar to her.

I spoke to my husbands Aunt "Annie". Her real name is Anastasia. She said It sounds like your Grandfather James, could very well be my husbands Grandfather's Brother. I will e-mail you what info I have.

Mickey

My family immigrated from Sparta to Canada in the 60s. What I've gathered from my Grandfather, (who never left Sparta) and others(Karabelas') in Sparta, is that the name was "Kara-belas" which means "Black Trouble" or Mavri Fasaria (Greek) in Turkish. I have verified that to be true.
My family in Greece (Grand parents, Aunts, Uncles) boast of having helped greatly in Greece's fight for independence from the Turks.
My Papou (Grandfather) told me that we came from a family of pirates that were fierce warriors and instilled immense fear in the Turks. The name originated with the Turks who would try to avoid any area when Karabelas' were reported to be in the vicinity. The family enjoyed the respect and soon adopted the name. This part I've been unable to verify and the tales grow greater with each generation (I'm sure).
I enjoy carring on the tradition of telling the stories to friends and family and hold my name in the utmost respect and honor.

hope you do the same,

Bill Karabelas

there are many karabelas living in milwaukee, wisconsin. I was also born there.
our village is between pyrgos and olympia in peloponisos, called strefi.

hello there. My name is Nick Kourbelis. My fathers name is dimitris kourbelis and my mothers is eleni argyropoulou. My father is from tyros(arkadia) and my mother is from spara. recently i discovered that my fathers family was from mani (lakonia) and they leaved mani about 4-6 generations back. if u think there is a connection please let me know. i' m really curious.

Nick. We are most likely related. My grandparents John Karabelas and Bess (nee Kourbelis) were Oitylo or Itilo (mani).

Ann,

I believe that you and I are second cousins since my grandfather's mother and father were Eleni and Spero and from Itilo. I am certain that my grandfather John Karabelas was your grandfather's brother.

John and your grandfather James also had a brother Peter Karabelas and two sisters--Victoria and we are not sure of the other sisters name. I live in Madison, Wisconsin. We need to talk further.

Karen
Did John have a daughter named Anastasia? I believed they moved to Peabody MA after the death of John's wife and lived there with James' family. After a year they moved back to Wisconsin.
I will talk with my cousins to see what they remember of the family tree.

ann