History of Starvos Vizirakis

Starvos Vizirakis - Safkia, Crete

My Maternal Grandfather is a Greek Immigrant. It was great fun finding information about his life and how he came to America.

Askifou Crete 1886 - 1906 - Childhood

He was born 1886 in Askifou, Crete to Emmanuel and Hrisi (maiden name: Troulopoulas) Vizirakis Askifou is a small town on the island of Crete it is on a small plain on the White Mountains in the prefecture of Sfakia. Sfakia, in the southwest of Crete, is the famous and most authentic region of Crete. Here you can find the last pieces of the old Cretan culture and nature. Sfakia is Europe's southernmost part? http://www.sfakia-crete.com/sfakia-crete/sfakia-intro.htm Many tourist go here to hike the Samarian Gorge.

Askifou is built in a small plateau situated between the high mountains of Castro and Fanari and Horefies, at an altitude of 750 meters. It has about 700 inhabitants. It contains some smaller hamlets, like Kares, Amoudari, Goni, Petres, Kosto and Stravohari. The name Askifou is said to derive from the ancient word Skifos, which means cup, as the circular plain looks like one. It is full of snow in winter and all green in Spring. The inhabitants are occupied with raising live stock, farming (grains, cereals, potatoes, grape), cheese and wine making and producing the Cretan liquor Raki (Sighoudia). There are many wallnut trees in the area, as well as fruit trees and honey flowers. (see the photo in the link) He was a farmer in Askifou as were his parents.

Greek Military 1906 - 1912

Served in the Greek Military 1906 -1912

Immigrated to the U.S. in 1912

1912 - Ellis Island Passenger Record

First Name: Stavris
Last Name: Vizirakis
Ethnicity: Greek
Last Place of Residence: Sfakia, Crete
Date of Arrival: October 06, 1912
Age at Arrival: 25 Gender: M Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Ivernia
Port of Departure: Patras
Manifest Line Number: 0002
If person has less that $50 how much do they have: $30
Name and Address of friend or relative they will join: G. Vizirakis Cousin 1280 Haberton St. Chicago, Il.
Place of Birth Country: Crete, City: Sfakia

Out West 1912 - 1918

Was a minner in Nevada

Middletown 1918 - 1932

Worked at a paper mill in Middletown, OH. Opened a restaurant/lunchroom in 1924

With his friend Paul Garafalos. Meet and married Jessica Watts in 1932

Cincinnati, OH 1933 - 1960

Opened the Globe restaurant in Cincinnati 1933. The restaurant was located in the Over-the-Rine district in downtown Cincinnati. It was on 1126 Elm St. across from Washington Square Park. It is one block from Cincinnati Music Hall and many of the patrons were from the arts.

Moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1933 First child (my Mother) Christine Vigiris was born.

Second child Viola Vigiris was born in 1935

Operated the Restaurant until 1960

Died in Cincinnati in 1976