Family History (Download eBook)
Saint Thomas, also called Doubting Thomas, or Didymus, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is perhaps best known for disbelieving Jesus' Resurrection when first told of it, then proclaiming "My Lord and my God" on seeing Jesus. He was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel.
St. Thomas (തോമ ശ്ലീഹ) came to Kerala (കേരളം) and landed at the port of Kodungalloor (കൊടുങ്ങല്ലൂര് ), near Kochi, in AD 52. He traveled to different parts of the state and converted many local inhabitants to Christianity. Some of the early Christian families were Sankarapuri, Pakalomattom, Kalli, and Kalliyankal in North and Thayyil, Manki, Pattamukkil and Madathilen in South. He also gave priestly powers to members of these families. Majority of the present Christian families have descended from one of these groups. One of the above said families, Pakalomattom (പകലോമറ്റം), came to reside at Kuravilangad (കുറവിലങ്ങാട്), near Kottayam (കോട്ടയം).
Due to local clashes, one of the branches of the family went to Murani, near Mallapally and stayed there at Thengumpallil. At that time Mallapally was under the reign of the King of Edapally. The family, comprising of four brothers, had close ties with the royal family of Edappally. Some of these forefathers were experts in the martial art style of Kerala, Kalarippayattu (കളരിപ്പയറ്റ്). They often trained royal family members in the art. It is seen from some old manuscripts that the close ties with the royal family enabled them to get tax free land in and around Mallapally.
Itty, one of the four brothers who resided at Thengumpallil, shifted to a nearby place called Ambunkayam. Ninan, the son of Itty, married Annamma from Mathilunkal family in Thiruvalla. He had close friendship with some Brahmin families in Ericadu, near Puthupally (പുതുപ്പള്ളി), who were the dependents of the King of Edapally. Since Ninan was a maestro in Kalarippayattu, these Namboothiri's wanted to learn the martial art from him. They provided necessary amenities for Ninan to stay near and teach them the art. And thus Ninan, with wife Annamma, came to Ericadu and resided at Vadassery (വടശ്ശേരി) towards the middle of the 17th century.
The present Vadassery family (വടശ്ശേരി കുടുംബം) descended from this Ninan (നൈനാന് ), who is considered as the forefather of the family.
Second Generation
Vadassery Ninan, the first forefather had two sons, Ninan Vadassery and Vadakkekkara Vadassery Kurien. Here the two branches of the family was formed, the Ericade Branch with Ninan Vadassery and Meenadom Branch with Vadakkekkara Vadassery Kurien.
Third Generation
Ninan Vadassery of the 2nd Generation had four sons, Cherian Panthalamury, Chacko Vadassery, Ouseph Mundackal and Ninan Manalel.
Vadakkekkara Vadassery Kurian of the 2nd Generation had three sons, Ninan Elanjimatton, Kurian Vadassery Kaduppil and Chacko Vadakke Vadasseryparampil.
Fourth Generation
Cherian Panthalamury of the 3rd Generaion had only one son, Ninan Panthalamury.
Chacko Vadassery of the 3rd Generaion had only one son, Ninan Vadassery.
Ouseph Mundackal of the 3rd Generaion had two sons, Chacko Kizhakke Mundackala and Ninan Padinjare Mundackal.
Ninan Manalel of the 3rd Generation had four sons, Ninan Chirathalattu, Kothakeril Itty, Ettuparayil Ninan and Manalel Cherian.
Ninan Elanjimattom of the 3rd Generation had three sons, Mathew Elanjimattom, Ninan Elanjimattom Padinjareveettil and Chacko Kizhakke Elanjimattom.
Kurian Vadassery Kaduppil of the 3rd Generation had two sons, Ninan and Varghese.
Chacko Vadakke Vadasseryparampil of the 3rd Generation had no sons. His daughter Mariamma was married to Parackal family in Meenadom.
Fifth Generation
Ninan Panthalamury of the 4th Generation had 5 sons, Ulahannan Kaniamparampil, Cherian Puthenpura, Thomas Manjakkil, Varkey Thekke Manjakkil and Ninan Panthalamury.
Ninan Vadassery of the 4th Generation had 4 sons, Chacko, Mathen, Ninan and Varkey.
Chacko Kizhakke Mundackal of the 4th Generation had only one son, Cherian.
Ninan Padinjare Mundacakl of the 4th Generation had 4 sons, Ouseph Mundackal, Koruth Udumpanattu-Amayannoor, Chacko Kavalichira and Ninan Pandijare Mundackal.
Chirthalattu Ninan of the 4th Generation had 6 sons, Ninan Chirthalattu (Vakathanam Branch), Easow Nedumoottil (Meenadom), Chacko Kaduppil (Thrikothamangalam), Itty Kizhakkedathu (Vakathanam), Ulahannan and Thomman.Chirthalattu Vakathanam.
Itty Kothakeril of the 4th Generation had only one son, Kothakeril Ninan.
Cherian Manalel of the 4th Generation had no sons.
Mathew Elanjimattom of the 4th Generation had 2 sons, Ninan Elanjimattom (Ericadu) and Mathew Elanjimattom (Meenadom).
Ninan Elanjimattom Padinjareveettil of the 4th Generation had 4 sons, Ninan, Mathen, Kurian and Mathew.
Chacko Kizhakke Elanjimattom of the 4th Generation had 2 sons. Ninan and Chacko.
Ninan Vadassery Kaduppil of the 4th Generation had 2 sons, Kurian and Ninan.
Varghese Vadassery Kaduppil of the 4th Generation had only one son, Kurian.
