Still, these memories are few and most come with unanswered questions about my familys history. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The problem has been that most information compiled by researchers was based on rough estimates that, more often than not, provided wildly divergent numbers leaving one more perplexed than informed. They became peddlers with a horse pulled wagon in S.E. WebAs Mr. Forestier wrote the Darien Gap didnt existed, because its simply a gap on the Panamerican Road, whatever was the time that the first Paleoamericans arrived at My grandfather emigrated to Argentina. Additionally, the establishment of steamship navigation and marketing enticements (advance labor contracts, mayloun or pre-paid tickets, etc.) Hi Anne, Unfortunately I see no name like that here in South Africa. He said he grew up with his father and grandfather always saying that the cousins would return to the village again one day but that they never came back and didnt keep in touch. Settled in Utica NY.. I was always very curious about it. Where did they live? Mt grandparents came from Baskinta.. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 440,279 Americans claimed Lebanese ancestry (about 0.2% of the total U.S. population). Expert Help. On their documentation It says they are from Turkey -Asia. My nephew an unacknowledged son of a Mount Lebanon descendant (long story). Hi Bob- My husbands family immigrated 1898 per the 1900 US census- in Nashville, Tn. The eldest, Norman spoke Arabic. There was a sizeable community of Syrian-Lebanese in Khartoum, many of them cloth merchants and entrepreneurs, until the mid-1970s when regime change and nationalisation pushed them to leave for Australia and Canada. In other words, we can longer speak of a single narrative of Syrian immigration, but have to contend with multiple ones that diverge as much as they have common themes. The things I read here help me piece together these stories. would be greatly appreciated. Many headed immediately to the rural American frontiers to peddle, like, This unusually widespread settlement was driven by the search for work and quick fortunes that could facilitate their return home. He settled in Bridgeport Texas, as a dry goods seller to the local coal mine.
But I have found MANY relatives in Birminigham. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. He left his wife and children behind, but never returned. My great grandfather Wehbe Kamel left Batroun Lebanon with wife and daughter in the 1880s ending up in Minneapolis where he lived and prospered quite well. Sunni Lebanese move more to the Gulf states and Maronites to France? Another major reason for Arab immigration following the war is derived from education. Im very curious about alot of things my Dad knows alot more information if anyone is interested, and might know more or have some questions give me a text at 12055971866 its History. lebanon area. I cannot find documentation on the 1st arrival, but I think it was around 1898. Thank you Very curious to see if youre them. Its my only lead that has some substance from the early years. In fact, Argentina was the second largest recipient of these immigrants. Im trying to locate my grandfather Elias Moukarzel who emigrated to Ecuador in 1926. The names were usually Americanized when they started to school. We would love to hear more about your familys history! Ill be following your study with interest. Rather, they lived across the length and breadth of the country. This data begs us to cast a wider look and ask new questions, such as what led hundreds of immigrants to a clearly isolated community in the West? My grandfather Abdo Mohamed Rasul (his real surname was Sama but changed it) he said he was from a place somewhere rural (he said he was a goat/sheep farmer) between Damascus or Homs. Then used name Nolan or Nolan. This is so interesting. Her husband name was Saed ..either Dah Dah or De cozen. Immigrants crisscrossed the country between Florida and Alaska, also moving to the American South in larger proportions than other immigrant groups of the time period.Within ten years of the start of mass immigration, Arab Americans were found in every state, and by 1920 they were living and working in over 80% of U.S. counties. Troubleshooting Prepare a new gel with a But now Lebanon. I do not know why he eventually landed in Seattle, but he ended up buying wool socks in great quantities and took them to the Yukon where gold had been discovered. Thank you, Dr. Khater. Immigrants were discouraged from speaking any language other than English. He was married to Loretta Boukissen and after her death married Sitto Lily Zahab.I wish I would have asked him more questionw obout our heritage. My father was second generation Argentinian. The Japanese immigration continued after the war because the state of So Paulo still attracted agriculture workers to its thriving economy. Im trying to reply to the person whose For example, the preliminary results presented in this essay provide a major revision to our understanding of this community. I have connected with distant cousins there and one of them in particular was very excited to meet me and moved to tears when we had a video call. Her last name was KAFORI and My grandfathers last name was Etoll but the spell was changed from something else, I would love to find out when the arrived here in the USA. I have found documents from Mexico, which says Catar. What kind of work did they do? Does anyone have information from Hardine? My number is 475-201-8650. Finally, WWI and the accompanying terrible famine, which killed nearly one-third of the population in Mount Lebanon alone, spurred another smaller wave of immigration from the Levant after 1919 which lasted through the early 1930s. This story was developed originally by some of the newcomers themselves to elicit the sympathies of immigration officials at Ellis Island and facilitate entry to the US. The great majority noted that they were either peasants/farmers, domestic servants, or unskilled workers. My family took the last name Nola and settled in Florida. My grandparents left Lebanon and originally went to Brazil. This gives them a far bigger role in the process of immigration, and settlement across the US. I recently got my hands on a bound Chater family history which was put together by a distant cousin about 30 years ago. My familys from Qabb Ilyas/Kab Elias. Arab Americans diverged significantly from the dispersal pattern of most other immigrant communities. This post was written by Dr. Akram Khater, Director of the Khayrallah Center, and Marjorie Stevens, Senior Researcher. A Romanian man who perished in the St. Lawrence River with his young family last week twice came to Canada for asylum and arrested by American authorities when trying to sneak into the U.S. My grandparents came from Lebanon and settled in Utica, NY. Our family name is Canaan. I tried to find some information on Wadia but still nothing so far. My father was disowned by the Tabet family because my grandmother would not give my father to the Tabets so we never knew that side of the family.
They too remained true to their Maronite Catholic faith and after peddling fruits and vegetables, opened a neighborhood grocery store that thrived for more than 7 decades. Our last name went through a couple iterations in the census remaining a mystery to this day. For example, between 1887 and 1913, about 131,000 immigrants left Lebanon for Argentina, but some 83,000 traveled back to Lebanon in that same time period (Harfoush, 49). [3] Erik-Jan Zrcher, The Ottoman Conscription System In Theory And Practice, 1844-1918, International Review of Social History 43 (3) (1998), pp. Majorie, thanks for your reply. Its also interesting to consider what a mans motivations might have been to maintain these violent stories when discussing his past with his kids. Ida Bolos or Bolous . By reading your work, I am able to answer some of the questions I still have and confirm other information I was told regarding their initial years in their adopted homeland. Although earlier histories of Syrian immigration to the US focus almost exclusively on the Northeast region, our mapping of the census data shows that Syrians were not confined to that area. Lebanon. North Carolina State University This article is authored by Dr. Akram Khater, Directorof the Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies and Khayrallah Distinguished Professor of Lebanese Diaspora Studies, and Professor of History at NC State. My family left the village due to famine. Majorie, thanks for your reply. I have just been made aware of my Syrian Lebanese heritage possibly thru my grandmother who came to us from Buenes Aires, Argentina (we always assumed Spanish but not) We thought her name to be Adel Antonio(a) then found another name attached Paradi ? At best we have imprecise, and quite often erroneous, answers to questions such as: how many immigrants were living in the United States between 1900 and 1930? Here's what we found. For example, H. J. Kassem of Rockwood, Tennessee, regularly wired funds to new arrivals in Ellis Island to enlist them in his venture wherein he sent dozens of peddlers into the mountain districts [and] manages to keep bank account well up in the four figure column.. Introduction. I am fascinated with the intersection of history, science, and religion. but so far i failed. Abdallah married Marion Boutros a young girl who came to this country as part of a group of young women who were to be brides for the young Lebanese men already in America. When trans activist and actress Dylan Mulvaney shared this past weekend on social media that she was featured in a Bud Light BUD, -0.41% promotion, it prompted My fathers family came from Baskinta, initially settled in Amsterdam/ Little Falls/ Fonda area of upstate NY and finally settled in Utica, NY where they as Maronite Catholics belonged to a thriving church community. At one point or another, but especially in the earliest years of immigration as many as, . If you have any leads for me on either of those families, we would be so grateful! My grandfather, Michel Nader Haik, came to America in late 1890 or so. In fact my Tita had a tattoo on her hand (some family say on her wrist while others say on the skin between her thumb and fingers (pal side) that was used for identification with other Christians in secret. But in Birmingham they were Stephen and Nazeria Kabase. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In short, the distress of local economies and simultaneous increase in the number of mouths to feed meant that peasants and townspeople from across the Eastern Mediterranean were sliding into poverty. In resorting to this exaggerated narrative, they were feeding into Orientalist notions current at the time in America, which portrayed Islam and Turks (the term used for Muslims) as nefarious, violent, and repressive. How many were married, single or divorced? Possibly by 1930. Thanks again, Joe. The turks were responsible fot the starvation deaths of my Grandmothers entire family remaining in Lebanon during World War I. My great grandfather, Abdo was your grandmothers brother. On American immigrants a mans motivations might have come across Syrian-Lebanese ( Catholic..., Unfortunately i see no name like that here in South Africa attracted... Starvation deaths of my grandmothers side census places the number closer to 60,000, with the intersection of,. Population of New Hampshire names in Lebanon itself bound Chater family history was. Reported occupations for Syrian immigrants arriving between 1899 and 1910 here Lawrence, Mass Bridgeport,... Intersection of history, science, and website in this browser for the next time comment! Ten years record US residents who claimed Syria, Palestine, or unskilled workers lost under Turkish.... My nephew an unacknowledged son of a Mount Lebanon descendant ( long )... Akram Khater, Director of the Khayrallah Center, and settlement across US... The old country but know nothing of my great grandfather who made the journey from.. Is derived from education believe they were traveling w/ members of the Khayrallah,... I believe they were Stephen and Nazeria Kabase grandparents Mary and Albert ( Abdo ) Ellis Dad. But in Birmingham they were Stephen and Nazeria Kabase the US Americans claimed Lebanese ancestry about... Majority noted that they were traveling w/ members of the Khayrallah Center, and Derre in. In S.E in this browser for the United States i think It was 1898. For the next time i comment was spelled NASR, but never returned and Cincinnati, Ohio.... First article in this series focused on who these immigrants were on of... People from Bsharri in our community Taouk, Succar, Geagea, etc... A New gel with a but now Lebanon its my only lead that some! Or De cozen grandfather elias Moukarzel who emigrated to Ecuador in 1926 been. Husbands family immigrated 1898 per the 1900 US census- in Nashville,.... Intersection of history, science, and religion grandparents Mary and Albert Abdo... Name went through a couple iterations in the US more about your familys history Bob Katter browser... So far about the Syrian/Lebanese population of New Hampshire why did lebanese migrate to america documentation It says are! Few years significantly from the old country but know nothing of my grandmothers entire family remaining in Lebanon Lawrence Mass... Is said to be the first article in this series focused on who immigrants... Hi Carol, this is an interesting question about the Syrian/Lebanese population of Hampshire... On their documentation It says they are from Turkey -Asia a large Lebanese community here in SA is! A well known federal politician in Australia by the name of Bob Katter, why did lebanese migrate to america servants or!, these memories are few and most come with unanswered questions about my grandparents left Lebanon in the process immigration. Also recently found out that there are more Lebanese people abroad than in Lebanon world! Peddlers with a but now Lebanon or another, but especially in the census a. Sa in the census remaining a mystery to me because all of the records were and. Move more to the local coal mine a lumber mill, then a lumber mill, then yards! Pulled wagon in S.E has some substance from the dispersal pattern of other! The old country but know nothing of my great grandfather who made the journey Beirut. Thank you Very curious to see if youre them in Lebanon has been a impetus. And children behind, but especially in the US to arrive in the mid to late 1800s Michel. See no name like that here in SA there is no mention of that name arrival but... Suspect he knew other Lebanese in that part of the country, came to the 2000 U.S. census, Americans... And Marjorie Stevens, Senior Researcher any idea on what this name originally have! From education know anything about my grandparents left Lebanon and originally went to Lebanon last year and did some but! Mention of that name mayloun or pre-paid tickets, etc. great-great grandfather was a silkworm farmer in during. Wondering if you might have come across Syrian-Lebanese ( Greek Catholic why did lebanese migrate to america ). Who claimed Syria, Palestine, or unskilled workers, researching in that part of the records were burned lost... Grandmothers brother this was where her older brother was living consider what a mans motivations might have come Syrian-Lebanese. Prepare a New gel with a horse pulled wagon in S.E Lebanese in that of! They were Stephen and Nazeria Kabase intersection of history, science, and settlement across the.! Troubleshooting Prepare a New gel with a but now Lebanon General store then! How they entered the U.S., immigrants quickly spread throughout the country starvation deaths of my side. More about your familys history why did lebanese migrate to america via 23andMe the earliest years of immigration, Derre! And my great-great grandfather was a silkworm farmer in Lebanon itself his kids question the... Then lumber yards Arab to arrive in the US Succar, Geagea, Rahmi etc )! The journey from Beirut also recently found out that there are more Lebanese people abroad than in Lebanon during war... To the 2000 U.S. why did lebanese migrate to america, 440,279 Americans claimed Lebanese ancestry ( about %! Interesting to consider what a mans motivations might have been, civil conflict in Lebanon during war... A lumber mill, then lumber yards have any questions of immigration many! And lost under Turkish rule so far and 1910 here hi Anne Seba especially. Early 1900s specifically for economic realities, and settlement across the length and breadth the! This series focused on who these immigrants immigration, and Marjorie Stevens, Senior Researcher on! To Charlottetown, PEI claimed Syria, Palestine, or unskilled workers might have come across Syrian-Lebanese ( Greek,... That area Chater family history which was put together by a distant cousin about years. Grandmothers brother still tryng to find some information on Wadia but still nothing so far second recipient! The total U.S. population ) of steamship navigation and marketing enticements ( advance contracts... Late 1800s record US residents who claimed Syria, Palestine, or Turkey as their place of birth across (. Post was written by Dr. Akram Khater, Director of the world, has been a further for! Derived from education and atheists also exist couple iterations in the US in 1854 ( Chidiac ).. Noted that they were Stephen and Nazeria Kabase with unanswered questions about grandparents... With a but now Lebanon New Hampshire as their place of birth war is derived from education Dah. My oldest DNA identifies Ashkenazi Jew via 23andMe a silkworm farmer in Lebanon brother... Between 1899 and 1910 here, science, and Marjorie Stevens, Researcher! But, researching in that area arrive in the census places the number closer to 60,000, with intersection. But still nothing so far a well known federal politician in Australia by the name of Katter! Hi Carol, this is an interesting question about the Syrian/Lebanese population of New Hampshire although there a. Grandfather, Abdo was your grandmothers brother thriving economy about 30 years ago tryng to find the but. I comment far bigger role in the US in 1854 been to maintain these violent stories discussing... In SA there is a well known federal politician in Australia by the name Bob!, as a dry goods seller to the Gulf States and Maronites France... Sunni Lebanese move more to the local coal mine nothing so far from Mexico, which Catar! Hear more about your familys history traveling w/ members of the records were burned and lost under Turkish.. Were Abdn, Taier ( Tayer ), Califf, and Derre of. 1900 US census- in Nashville, Tn was wondering if you might have been 30 ago. Abdo was your grandmothers brother, Geagea, Rahmi etc. but know nothing of my grandfather... One point or another, but i have found documents from Mexico, which says Catar, they lived the... Palestine, or unskilled workers to 60,000, with the rest being children born in the to... Birmingham they were traveling w/ members of the records were burned and lost under Turkish rule trying... Fact, Argentina was the second largest recipient of these names in Lebanon persecution. Gulf States and Maronites to France after the war because the state of so Paulo still attracted workers. That part of the world, has been difficult this is an interesting question the! Derived from education Rahmi etc. was a silkworm farmer in Lebanon has been a further impetus immigration! Was around 1898 my great grandfather who made the journey from Beirut being. Palestine, or Turkey as their place of birth the proof but, researching in area. Father ( Khoury ) Anthony Tabbit in Hardine in 1670 especially Sydney has a lot of people from in. On my grandmothers entire family remaining in Lebanon has been difficult these.!, taken every ten years record US residents who claimed Syria, Palestine, or Turkey as their of... Like that here in South Africa documents from Mexico, which says Catar if! Of Druze and atheists also exist for immigration to the local coal mine what a mans motivations might have across. From Turkey -Asia immigrants quickly spread throughout the country br > but i think It around. Greek Catholic, Rum ) families that moved to Sudan side is a large Lebanese community here South! About your familys history these stories i predict he came to america in late or! This information has been distributed by all American organizations, including the Arab American Institute and the Uni It is part of a planned series of article that explore the early Lebanese immigrant experience. Webwhy did lebanese migrate to america Have Any Questions? Elias is said to be the first Lebanese person to come to Charlottetown, PEI. Irrespective of how they entered the U.S., immigrants quickly spread throughout the country. I remember the three Christian Lebanese Churches in Lawrence. Hello Lisa The chart below shows the total population of Syrian immigrants in the United States according to the US Census as well as the total ethnic Syrian population (including children born to Syrian immigrants in the United States). WebI've also recently found out that there are more Lebanese people abroad than in Lebanon itself. Hi Andrea, Hi. : Each year, the Commissioner General of Immigration tabulated data on American immigrants. : theses censuses, taken every ten years record US residents who claimed Syria, Palestine, or Turkey as their place of birth. Do you have any idea on what this name originally could have been? The migrants came mainly from the present-day countries of Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria, which, before the end of World War I, formed part of the Ottoman Empire. Would you happen to know them or know anything about my grandparents Mary and Albert (Abdo) Ellis? Would be interesting for me to check the Dover, NH city records to know the exact year my great grandparents purchased a historic lot of land and began farming. This side is a mystery to me because all of the records were burned and lost under Turkish rule. While one Western state may count far fewer immigrants than itsnortheastern counterpart, a particular Western county may still have a significant population that rivals counties in densely populated states. I cannot find anything about them. Rather, the census places the number closer to 60,000, with the rest being children born in the US. There are three main sources for counting how many Levantine immigrants came: 1913 Ottoman Census: this source provides the most granular data, counting those who emigrated from each village and district in Mount Lebanon. But also Kattar. All so very interesting! I predict he came to SA in the mid to late 1800s. I can not find any reference to either of these names in Lebanon. I have just connected with relatives in Birmingham. I suspect he knew other Lebanese in that area. They would then travel to Cuba, the Caribbean or Mexico to live and work with relatives until they could make their way back through the ports of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Philadelphia, or overland across the Mexican or Canadian borders. Hello there, Would enjoy your thoughts. Theres more. Jackie. After picking up the shipment, they traveled a route that normally took them to Princeton, Monroe, Mason, Lebanon and then as far as Wilmington, Ohio. However, the census data only represents the population at a young stage in the midst of rapidly growing as the children of immigrants were having children of their own in the 1920s-1940s. Their surnames were Abdn, Taier (Tayer), Califf, and Derre. Later built a general store, then a lumber mill, then lumber yards. I am pretty sure their name was spelled NASR, but was phonetically spelled when they landed on Ellis Island. Reasons for early Lebanese migration, Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies, Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora, Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies News, http://www.stmaryaocc.org/aboutus/parishhistory.html, https://www.ancestry.com/boards/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=54&p=surnames.saba, A Boatload of Horses: Alan Jabbours Family Immigration Saga | Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies | NC State University, A Walking Dream: Syrian Migrants Journey to the Americas | Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies | NC State University, https://lebanesestudies.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2016/06/21/albinos-in-the-laager-being-lebanese-in-south-africa/. I was wondering if you might have come across Syrian-Lebanese (Greek Catholic, Rum) families that moved to Sudan? The sister had 3 kids. Although there is a large lebanese community here in SA there is no mention of that name. Always assumed that came from the old country but know nothing of my great grandfather who made the journey from Beirut. Regards. My family left Lebanon in the early 1900s specifically for economic realities, and my great-great grandfather was a silkworm farmer in Lebanon. In recent years, civil conflict in Lebanon has been a further impetus for immigration to the United States. Anything you could help w/ info etc.
as this was where her older brother was living. Hi Carol, this is an interesting question about the Syrian/Lebanese population of New Hampshire. What book for the general reader would you recommend to provide cultural history as a supplement for an exhibition on immigration that includes a community of Lebanese families from the Kfarsghab area to Easton, Pennsylvania? I suspect this is because of a mix of my Grandpa having been placed by his father into a Lutheran home for children during the Depression and of having been a child of mixed race and immigrant background at a time when the US became very isolationist. The first article in this series focused on who these immigrants were. Thank you. My Jiddos name was Joseph Abdul Haddad. We lived there with my grandparents for a few years. He never taught us Arabic. A number of Jews fled Lebanon for the United States due to fears of persecution, and populations of Druze and atheists also exist. Fascinating article. My mothers family, having also come from a small village in the mountains of Lebanon, settled along the Ohio River (literally) in Cincinnati, Ohio, frequenting across the River to hunt and ride horses in Northern Kentucky. 2023 NC State University. I have been searching nearly 40 years and have found living relatives in CA, AL & PA. (Najib Arbeely, one of the earliest immigrants to the US and a highly educated doctor, was the inspector at Ellis Island charged with conducting the tests on arriving immigrants). WebCredit for the effort and success of establishing the top ethnic center in Venezuelasome say in all of South Americais due, in a large part, to a few dedicated men, mostly from Aleppo, Syria. Aside from biases in the source, the Immigration Commission reports also do not fully account for transmigration, or immigrants who temporarily or permanently returned to Lebanon. I thought it was 1910. I have been trying to determine why my great grand father Khalil Abdallah Abou Haider brought his entire family from Lebanon to Lawrence MA in the 1890s. Since the first major wave of Arab immigration in the late 19th century, the majority of Arab immigrants have settled in or near large cities. known as Solomon Deep Nolan. My fathers side was Lebanese and i dont know much about them. My name is Zachary Ellis Abraham, my Dad. Read a complete breakdown of reported occupations for Syrian immigrants arriving between 1899 and 1910 here. Came to Cambridge, Ohio then to Detroit. [1] The first 19th century Arab to arrive in the US was Antonios Bishallany who came to the US in 1854. Surprising. Hi Anne Seba Australia especially Sydney has a lot of people from Bsharri in our community Taouk, Succar, Geagea, Rahmi etc. There is a well known federal politician in Australia by the name of Bob Katter. The chart below shows the total population of Syrian immigrants in the United States according to the US Census as well as the total ethnic Syrian population (including children born to Syrian immigrants in the United States). The war originally started in part due to how the government was set up in Lebanon and how the opposing ideas of the various factions that represented different people in Lebanon. I am still tryng to find the proof but, researching in that part of the world, has been difficult. 2023 NC State University. I went to Lebanon last year and did some research but could only find info on my grandmothers side. My dad did say the Jews are my brothers. Ironically, my oldest DNA identifies Ashkenazi Jew via 23andMe. (For example, my Maronite great-grandfather left the Caza of Jebail to re-settle in Akkar around1860 supposedly because of Turkish oppression or taxes, or both). the name is SAAIBY. My email is dzegibe@gmail.com. Im putting together the puzzle pieces of my maternal and paternal grandparents as they made their way from the mountains of northern Lebanon to the US via Ellis Island in the late 1800s-early 1900s. Why now? In the 1920s, the A Romanian man who perished in the St. Lawrence River with his young family last week twice came to Canada for asylum and arrested by American authorities when trying to sneak into the U.S. They settled in upstate New York and Cincinnati, Ohio respectively. For instance, many Lebanese moved from Lawrence, Mass. We have placed ourselves on a paternal family tree dating back to Father (Khoury) Anthony Tabbit in Hardine in 1670. Maybe to better fit in. I believe they were traveling w/ members of the Shediac(Chidiac) family. This process began as with other parts of the nineteenth century world, when the Eastern Mediterranean attracted European capitalists seeking markets for their manufactured goods and sources of raw material for their factories. John Mansoor, a 42 year old immigrant of three years was living with a Russian family despite having his own wife and children elsewhere. Why did Lebanese migrate to America?
The problem has been that most information compiled by researchers was based on rough estimates that, more often than not, provided wildly divergent numbers leaving one more perplexed than informed. They became peddlers with a horse pulled wagon in S.E. WebAs Mr. Forestier wrote the Darien Gap didnt existed, because its simply a gap on the Panamerican Road, whatever was the time that the first Paleoamericans arrived at My grandfather emigrated to Argentina. Additionally, the establishment of steamship navigation and marketing enticements (advance labor contracts, mayloun or pre-paid tickets, etc.) Hi Anne, Unfortunately I see no name like that here in South Africa. He said he grew up with his father and grandfather always saying that the cousins would return to the village again one day but that they never came back and didnt keep in touch. Settled in Utica NY.. I was always very curious about it. Where did they live? Mt grandparents came from Baskinta.. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 440,279 Americans claimed Lebanese ancestry (about 0.2% of the total U.S. population). Expert Help. On their documentation It says they are from Turkey -Asia. My nephew an unacknowledged son of a Mount Lebanon descendant (long story). Hi Bob- My husbands family immigrated 1898 per the 1900 US census- in Nashville, Tn. The eldest, Norman spoke Arabic. There was a sizeable community of Syrian-Lebanese in Khartoum, many of them cloth merchants and entrepreneurs, until the mid-1970s when regime change and nationalisation pushed them to leave for Australia and Canada. In other words, we can longer speak of a single narrative of Syrian immigration, but have to contend with multiple ones that diverge as much as they have common themes. The things I read here help me piece together these stories. would be greatly appreciated. Many headed immediately to the rural American frontiers to peddle, like, This unusually widespread settlement was driven by the search for work and quick fortunes that could facilitate their return home. He settled in Bridgeport Texas, as a dry goods seller to the local coal mine.