Matina Zaharatos (née Maniatis)
Interviewer(s):
Alexandros Balasis
Project:
Greek Canadian Stories
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
Toronto, ON
LANGUAGE:
Greek
DATE:
February 1, 2024

Interview Summary:

Matina Zaharatos (née Maniatis) was born in 1939 in Myrtia, Laconia, where she spent her early years working the land. In 1957, with the help of her aunt, she migrated to Toronto, where she began working as a babysitter and later sponsored her siblings to join her in Canada. She describes building a family, buying a home, and staying closely connected to the Greek community through St. George Church. She ensured her children received a Greek education.

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Interview Details
Categories and Themes
Content
Media
Date and Location
February 1, 2024
Toronto, ON
Interviewee(s)
Matina Zaharatos (née Maniatis)
Interviewer(s)
Alexandros Balasis
Languages
Greek
Reference ID
GICREF043
Project
Greek Canadian Stories
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Categories
Culture and Tradition
Education
Migration
Rites
Tags
Domestics
Greek Community
Greek School
Marriage
Post-WW2 Migration
Decades Referenced
1940s
1950s
1970s
1980s
Locations Referenced
Myrtia, Laconia, Athens, Montreal, Chicago
Occupation(s)
Domestic
Parents Occupation(s)
Names Referenced
Panagiotis Zaharatos (Husband), Teresa Stratas (Opera Singer); Spyrogianakis; Leonidas Zaharatos (Son)

[00:00:25] Her life in Myrtia, Laconia

[00:04:43] Memories from the Civil War and working the land

[00:11:15] Migration from Myrtia[00:12:52] Her aunt’s migration to Canada

[00:14:40] Her migration to Canada with the help of her aunt

[00:17:25] Leaving Myrtia[00:21:13] Obtaining a passport and visa

[00:24:00] The journey and arrival in Toronto in 1957

[00:26:44] Her first job in Canada as a babysitter

[00:30:14] The second family she worked for

[00:35:10] Sponsoring her siblings

[00:39:30] Meeting her husband and her wedding

[00:46:06] Buying her house and her children

[00:48:58] Visiting Greece for the first time in 1971

[00:50:33] Her wedding gown and experiencing amenities

[00:55:45] Her relationship with other Greeks

[01:00:00] Her wedding and honeymoon in Montreal

[01:01:41] The Greek community and St. George Church

[01:03:57] Her parents’ visits to Canada

[01:09:16] Being approached to help sponsor other Greeks

[01:10:22] The naturalization process

[01:11:32] Providing Greek education to her children

[01:15:20] Her sons' jobs

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