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Vettathu Email &Telephone Directory

Thanks for taking a moment of your time to find out about us. What follows are the results of our searches about the very great Vettathu families. If you find a link to any of these families, please let me know.

Here, we may be privileged to understand about those who came ahead of us, in regard to their lives and the times in which they lived. We have placed a guest book on this page. Please sign it so that we can share with one another in a way the importance of our day and time. Fr. Jacob T Vettathu is the Compiler and architect for this genealogy. Modern technology and the Internet have made our "Quest to Investigate the Past" very expedient; however, much of this work is based on his researching history of the Vettathu families.

OUR ANCESTORS:

The Parental family of Vettathu family is Mookanthottam family at Parappally within the jurisdiction of Kizhaparayar Parish Church. About a kilometer from Palai town along the Palai-Erattupetta road, there is a Kadavu at Moonnani, which is called Mookanthottam Kadavu, and as we cross the Meenachil River we are reaching the Mookanthottam land and house. At present a new house is built near the old foundation. The word Mookanthottam comes from "mukku-thottam" which means the plantation near the bank of the river. The Mookanthottam house and the rubber plantation are on the other bank of the Meenachil River. Joy Mookanthottam (b. 1956) lives in this ancestral house with his wife, Siji Valavanattu, and their two children: Jomari (a girl aged 14) and Joprakash (a boy aged 8), with Joy?s mother Mary Joseph (aged 77). Joy's father M.T. Joseph or Kunjettan (1913-1994) was a great Christian leader. According to Joy he is the 15th generation of the Mookkanthottam family. Joy has a lot of valuable documents and knowledge within his reach about this great family. Address: Joy Mookenthottam. Kizhaparayar P.O. Palai. Phone: 0482-212848 or 214375. Email: mooken@vsnl.com

How did this Mookkanthottam family arrive here? There are two Namboori Manas on the both sides of this thottam. It is believed that Mookkanthottam members were great fighters, may be of Kshatria clan, and the Nambooris brought them along with them as their security. It is said that they arrived at this place from Nilakkal. To escape from the Pandis who used to rob the Christian community of Nilakkal and take them away as slaves, this family came to Parappally by boat and built a house and a plantation near the bank of this river to be called Mookanthottam, cultivated land on the bank of the river.

If we look into the different documents of the different generations of Mookkanthottam family we can see that if a parent had several sons, only one or two got the original family name as Mookkanthottam and others placed new names for their families or placed the past name of the land which they bought. So in these 15 generations of Mookkanthottam family we can see several family names in the various generations. Thus Vettathu, Kizhakkarakkattu, Areekkattu, Panathanam, Kochuplackal, Kuzhimullil, Theruvappuzha, Vallel, Thattampally, Palathoduka, Edamanappadavil, Keerambanal, Chenbananickal, Varikkamackal etc. are some of the family names originated from Mookkanthottam family. It is said that one of the ancestors used to say that the eldest son had to be sent to Vettathu, and that is the beginning of the Vettathu Family. But in which generation of the Mookkanthottam family this happened, we do not know yet, because all the 15 Mookkanthottam generations are not yet traced properly with all the families came from them. Hopefully we might be able to find that out in the near future. Three ancestral branches of Vettathu family are traced up as coming from Parappalli and Mookanthottam family. The great ancestor in Parappalli seems to be an Ouseph because all the three branches of Vettathu Family have the first son named Ouseph, a tradition among our ancestors and even now that the first son gets the name of the paternal grandfather, and the first daughter gets the name of the paternal grandmother. Then the second son and second daughter get that of maternal grandfather and grandmother. So we can conclude that the great father of the Vettathu Family is OUSEPH.

It is also heard from the forefathers that there were originally 7 brothers in the Vettathu family. But so far we are able to trace out only 3 branches. If it is true that there were 7 brothers in the original Vettathu family, may be the other 4 had new family names. However there are many debates as to our families, direct line, marriage of Ouseph and his ancestor's branch. This is, in the main because of the fact that the early records are incomplete or inconclusive. The 3 branches traced out are the following: Ouseph Vettathu branches, Thomman Vettathu branches, and Ulahannan Vettathu branches. Ouseph and Thomman settled in Edappady in adjacent properties, and Ulahannan settled in Kizhaparayar near Parappalli.

Thomman of this Ouseph branch settled in Kurumannu and multiplied. And the Mathai in this branch first stayed in the parental house in Edappady and then sold everything and went to Thudanganadu, and after the death of Mathai, the property in Thudanganadu was sold and they went to Kudayattoor.

This, We will hopefully be adding to this list of ancestors/relatives soon!

2.THOMMAN VETTATHU BRANCH

The earliest ancestor we have traced lineage from is Ouseph, Vettathu and Thomman is the second in this lineage. Most of the Vettathu families as we found are from these three great Dads- 'Ouseph, Thomman, and Ulahannan'.

We begin with this page from Thomman Vettathu generations seeing that the other two brothers have separate hyper links to make use of ready reference to their roots for our readers. Most of the Vettathu family members we know of today are descended from this great Dad.The Thomman house is still there while the Ouseph house and property has been sold and they moved to Thudanganadu and then to Kudayathoor. Thomman had 4 sons and 3 daughters: (1)Ouseph (2)Mathai settled in Narianganam, (3)Thomman settled in Koithanam near Narianaganam, (4)and Devasia settled in Edappady in the Parental house.

The Vettathu family , Thomman's children and their generations of descendants are listed below.

I. Ouseph Vettathu (1863-1960?) and descendants.

II. Mathai Vettathu (1865-1961?) and descendants

III. Thomman Vettathu (1867-1931?) and descendants

IV. Devsia Vettathu.(1869 ?)

V. Alykutty

VI. Pelayamparampil (daughter)

VII. Mariyamma

| Ouseph |Mathai| Thomman | Devasia | Alykutty | Pelayamparampil | Mariyamma |

II. Mathai(Senior) Vettathu (1865-1961?) and Children.

As I know, our Late Mathai (Senior) or Narianganam Appan had only 5 children. 3 girls and 2 boys. In order of birth they are:

(i) Velamkunnel Peramma (Aley)

(ii) Mathai, Kunju (Junior) (1894 ?-1979)

(iii) Padannamakal Kunjalamma (Mariyamma)

(iv) Vattamattathil Annamma Kunjalamma

(v)Thommachan. (1908?-1990)

| Velamkunnel |Mathai(Junior)| Padannamakkel | Vattamattathil | Thommachan |

(ii) Mathai, Kunju (Junior) (1894 ?-1979)

He married Rosa Vazhamplakkal. Mathai Kunju (Kochappan) was a religious, quiet and simple man in Vakakkadu . He was a humorous person among peasants in Vakakkadu. He gave pride to all Vettathu family members, love and laughter. He lived, loved and gave great happiness to all that knew him.

He was a hard worker surrounded by the sons of soil of Vakakkadu . He did not have any rest in his life. He devoted his extra time in activities of the church .

He was the most desperated person in the world when his wife (Rosamma Vazhamplakkel)died in 1978. For over 60 years Rosamma Vazhamplakkel (Kochamma) was a loving wife to Kochappan. She watched over him through sickness and health. During 1979, Rosakutty (wife of Joseph Padannamakal) went during holidays in India. Kochappan came to visit her house. He died in front of her on the spot by a heart failure, God, having missed him so much, brought him back home to Him for those here on earth to understand or appreciate this great farmer of Vakakkadu. Mathai Kunju Vettathu and Rosamma VazhAmplakkel had 8 children: 4 sons and 4 daughters:

Mathai Kunju Vettathu and Rosamma Vazhemplakkel had the following children while living in Vakakkadu.

(i)Mathew

(ii)Rosamma Vettathu (Kunjupennu)

(iii)George

( iv )Late Thomas

(v)Annamma

(vi) Sr. Elikutty Polikarppu. (Sr. Elizabeth) FCC,

(vii) Mariyakutty

(viii) Joseph

| (i) Mathew | (ii) Rosamma | (iii) George | (iv) Thomas | (v) Annamma | (vi) Sr. Elizabeth | (vii) Mariyakutty | (viii) Joseph |

(i)Mathew

(i) Mathew was married twice, his first marriage was from Kunnekkattu, his wife died survived by one daughter Achamma and his second marriage was from Kunnel.

| (i) Mathew Vettathu Family |

(ii)Rosamma Vettathu (Kunjupennu), Chamakkala. married to C.K. Joseph (Kochettan) (***Photos***) Mr. C.K. Joseph (Kochettan) died in his house here in Thodupuzha, 29 August. 1999, old 78. Kochettan lived in Thodupuzha all his life. He was a traditional man of businesses of family, contractor, manufacturer of the products of bakery and a famous structural timber and a coal trader. The burial was in the church of Thenamkunnu to the cemetery, Thodupuzha. Close to his widow Rosamma , the daughter of late Mathew Vettathu Senior, survivors include his large family the children and their children. What follows are the children while they lived in Thodupuzha.

| (ii) Rosamma Vettathu (Kunjupennu), Chamakkala Family |

(iii) George Vettathu married Mary Kappil, daughter of Kunjeria Kappil and Kunjeli Muthukattu. Mary Kappil, passed away on , November 12, 2000. She was in her 72's but so conscious, it was quite a shock to hear about her passing. Mary was an active member of the Charismatic group. After the death of Mary Kappil, George went to the US in June 2001 to visit and spend sometime with the family of his four daughters who are settled there. He passed away in the States on April 11, 2002, a month prior to his scheduled return to India. His body was brought back to India and laid to rest beside his beloved wife in Moonnalavu. George and Mary were the parents of the following six successful children while living in Koottakkallu.
(1) Mrs. Rosakutty Joseph, Padannamakkel
(2)Mrs. Alamma John, Moonnumackel
(3)Mr. George Mathew and Mrs.Sophiyamma
(4) Grasamma Fernandez, Puthumana
(5)Mrs. Betcy Augusty, Mundupalackel
(6)Sherly Byju, Kudakachira.

| (iii) George Vettathu (Pappachan), Family |

*Photo: Glances of three generations

( iv) Late Thomas, Arakkulam and Aleyamma Vadakkechirayath (Aleykutty),Children Mr. Thomas,son of late Mathai Kuju Junior Vettathu died at his home here Feb.22,1999., aged 72. Burial was in the Arakkulam Church Cemetery in Arakkulam, Kerala. Survivors include his widow and his children.

Late Mr. V.M.Thomas (Kunjoonju) was born in 1927, and married Mrs Aleyamma Vadakkechirayath (Aleykutty)from Monkombu. Mr. Thomas together with his elder brother Mr. Mathew (Malabar Perappan)to Arakulam, and later Mr Mathew sold his share to Mr.Thomas and went to Kudiyanmala, Kannur Dt. Mr. Thomas was a very hard working farmer. He was liked by all the relatives and townmates, because he offers a good company to all. Mr. V.M. Thomas & Aleyamma had 8 children: 4 boys and 4 girls. Both of them come from a family of eight children, and 4 boys and 4 girls too.

| (iv) V.M.Thomas Vettathu, Arakulam Family |

[Photo: Late Mr.V.M. Thomas and Family]

(v)Annamma Chamakkala.

Annamma is married to Outhukutty in Chamakkala family. They have seven children: 4- boys and 3-girls. They are: (1) Appachan, died in Feb.2001. (2) Kunjoonju (3) Thommachan (4) Anice (5) Celin (6) George (7) Valsamma

| (v) Annamma Vettathu & Outhukutty , Chamakkala Family |

(vi) Sr. Elizabeth, FCC)

Sr.Elizabeth (Vettathu), after her retirement from her teaching in Poonjar, she joined the mission province of their congregation, and at present she is in Manipur.

Sr. Elizabeth's address: Sr. Elizabeth Vettom, FCC, Assisi Home, Tuibuang, P.O.Churachandpur-795128. Manipur. Phone: 038-7434278

| (vi) Sr. Elizabeth Vettathu |

(vii) Mariyakutty Chirayathu.

Mariakutty is married to Kunjappan of Vadakkechirayath family. Kunjappan and Late Mr. Thomas' wife Aleyamma are first cousins. Address: Vadakkechirayath house, P.O.Kizhakkanmattam-686652, Piousmout, Kottayam Dt. Kerala. Phone: 0482-291133. [***Photo***] They have 6 children: 4 boys and 2 girls.

| (vii) Mariakutty & Kunjappan, Vadakkechirayath Family |

(viii) Late Joseph Vettathu,1937-2001.

Late Mr. Joseph Vettathu, the youngest son of Matahi Kunju was a very industrious farmer and also a good sportsman in Vakakkadu. He was the dearest to all and unforgettable smiling man to his relatives and friends. He had so many admireres for those who familiar with him during his lifetime. Joseph Vettathu. married Aleyamma Edyanikkattu in Anthinadu. Phone: 0482-246462 while living in Vakakkadu. Their address: Mrs.V.M. Joseph, Vettathu House, P.O. Moonnilavu-686586. Vakakkad. Kerala. Phone: 0482-286520.

| (viii) Joseph Vettathu Family |

(***Photo***)

Conclusion:

I am Joseph Padannamakkel the owner of this web page.I have tried my best to confirm all information posted but to err is human. I would like to thank those that gave me family information and helped me along the way. It all starts with two dedicated family members, Rev. Fr. Ivans, CMI and Rev.FR. JACOB T. VETTATHU, MS.. They did most of their research. To them, I owe a great deal of thanks for opening the door to looking at ancestral background. I am proud of Vettathu family heritage and I have tried to pass this on to my children. Family children, look to see if you inherited Great-great Grandpa 's bald spot.

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