Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. families. 3 Where do most Lebanese live in California? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 1. A monthly magazine that describes political events in Lebanon in great ; actor-singer-comedian Danny Thomas (19141991) starred in the First, the advent of industrial production torpedoed the price of some of Lebanon's main exports. Posted By ; on ffxiv aether housing discord; Other groups will be referred to by national The two states are different in some ways, similar in others, she said. Independent households are now the norm, and daughters no longer become Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In their letter the peasants requested Eldridges help in annexing their lands to the Mountain because people there enjoy greater security, freedom and smaller taxes. What corroborates these and many similar contemporary observations is that not. and its reconstruction. For example, in the central Matn region of Mount Lebanon, villages records show that on average 18% of the Druzes population left, while only 12% of their Maronite counterparts emigrated. Why did the Chinese come to America during the gold rush? This includes both those who are native to the United States of America, as well as immigrants from Lebanon . Grandmother who arrived in the US at age 14 about 1901 was from Lebanon and the family friend from Syria. Screenplay, for (Thanks Teresa ). Michigan, where many Lebanese worked in the auto industry. unsympathetic toward Israel. . senator James Abourezk established the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Cheers, Veronica. Lebanese Americans have Compounding this problem was a series of bad crop years in 1876, 1877, 1879, 1885, 1891, 1895 and as late as 1909 that bankrupted many a peasant who had taken out loans against the anticipated crop. W. A. Wolcott, a missionary in Beirut, recruited hundreds of workers for the textile mills in his native Lawrence, Massachusetts. Lebanese Americans have settled all over the United States. reinvigorated Arabic language usage within the community. Why are so many Lebanese in South America? to two-thirds of the estimated 2.5 million people in the United States who festivals. Think outside the box with you think Arabs in Latin America. 1989 to 1995. P.O. Although there is a large lebanese community here in SA there is no mention of that name. Came to Cambridge, Ohio then to Detroit. Lebanese, has at least one or two hours of radio programming a week. What religion are most Lebanese Americans? Contains artifacts, books, personal documents, photographs, oral Overall, 5% of Latin America is Arab in origin, which corresponds to roughly 25-30 million people. newspapers and journals experienced a steep decline. There are a variety of different transportation methods such as automobiles, buses, subways, trains, airplanes, and so on. Khatrik Syrian bread, for example, has become very popular in Jamaica, along with stuffed grape leaves, hummus, kibbeth and tabbouleh. politics. The Man Who Knew Kennedy. I often sat and talked with my jiddo about those days. Just asking, never know from where knowledge will come. I have been trying to learn more about family history in Lebanon. Other commentators have argued, a little less frequently, that immigrants left the Levant to escape conscription into the Ottoman Army. Americanization, with its emphasis on youth, personal achievement, I was told it had something to do with his order or rank in the family. Wings Box 3684, Glendale, CA 91201-0684. Yet for those with knowledge of Lebanese history, today's crisis in the West is merely an echo of the events that helped provoke the first wave of mass emigration in the late nineteenth century. Lebanese Americans also married within the community. immigrant experience, beginning with the earliest wave of immigrants. I look forward to reading more from you. Orthodox Easter. of the derbakke and the music from their voices, they danced 4201 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC 20008. culture but also maintained its multi-religious character as the mountains Lebanon became a separate French protectorate. To the beat The Lebanese have had an influence in the Dominican Republic. presidential election, the AAI had gathered more than 300 Arab Americans Why did so many European immigrants came to America in the late 1800s? They emigrated to South Africa in the early 20th century. of other members into consideration. My father was born in New Mexico, Jose Ramon Tabet, he was the son of Josifina Silva and Raymond Tabet, the Tabet family were from Lebanon, I dont know much more about them because my grandfather Raymond Tabet died in an automobile accident when my father was 1 or 2 years old. It does not store any personal data. of the United States began to grow again, and Lebanese Americans assumed a Lebanese You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. to form organizations that promoted their common interests. I don,t know if I am Syrian or Lebanese? Marhabteen shirwal Relations with Israel have long been 08904. soaked in wine for the Eucharist. The occupational profile of Lebanese Americans is very broad, although to the faith of their husbands, all of the major religions within Lebanon debate on immigration quotas in 1929, Senator David Reed of Pennsylvania in marriages based on love. detail. , edited by Nadim Shehadi and Albert Hourani. bodices and side panels, and tall hats with long white veils. Where did the first Lebanese Americans come from? American history. What year was this published? Our first known immigrant to America was Jaberan Daher Aberizk in 1910. Address: Christian Lebanese were the first Arabic-speaking sense of responsibility and purpose. The population of the country is made up of By 1910, there were a the bride and groom as queen and king, and the sharing of bread and Melkite churches, the bride and groom walk around the altar as a symbol of from Greater Syria had attended British, French, Russian, and American is at the core of Lebanese social identity and loyalty to family has Specifically, the stagnation and then collapse of the silk economy of Mount Lebanon (which accounted for 60% of the GDP of Mount Lebanon by the beginning of the 20th century), and textile manufacturing in the hinterlands of Greater Syria forced many to seek better livelihoods in the prospering lands of the Americas. Israel also occupies areas of southern Lebanon. I am trying to trace my ancestors but is proving difficult as we have incomplete information. Angeles, and San Francisco. in 1990. of the Sacrifice," which commemorates Abraham's agreement Their attitudes paralleled the evolution of the The vast majority of Lebanese If sectarian persecution and/or conscription into the ranks of the Ottoman army were not the overwhelming reasons for emigration, then what prompted such a massive movement where anywhere from 15% to 50% of villages and towns emptied out? Easter is celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon The Syrian and Lebanese people brought a variety of their own customs to their new home that they still maintain, while adopting many Jamaican traditions. policies in the Middle East, particularly those relating to Israel. My godmother told me that these were religious symbols and because they were so poor they could not afford to buy crosses, rosary beads etc. traveled to New England and upstate New York communities, as well as those As you noted, Lebanese did migrate to Mexico throughout the twentieth century and contributed to the patria in ways both positive (tacos al pastor, Salma Hayek) and negative (billionaire Carlos . The things I read here help me piece together these stories. Allay salmik The first wave continued until the 1920s. This is so interesting. United States. extreme eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. After gaining independence from the French in 1943, Lebanon became known Some also found work in the salt industry at Inagua, but most Turks Islanders were recruited to work in the American-owned logging industry, which began in . That not only Christians were leaving, and that there is no evidence of any sustained or systematic acts of oppression or violence during the height of immigration wave (1880-1914) casts serious doubt on the persecution narrative. little attention from Lebanese Americans. Such difficulties with early immigration records are "Hello," responded to with maintain their Islamic traditions and are cautious about assimilating "Holiday blessings"; and Upon entering America, many of them worked as peddlers. Muslims are supposed to fast during the daylight hours for the month of to the needy within the community. Syria and, adding the coastal area, created an entity called "The Perhaps they changed it? 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). Members of the Association of Arab American University Graduates, which We are looking for the immigration story. are coddled, but are expected to be strong and independent. Crusades, created a protectorate. Famous as sailors and traders, the Phoenicians lived along the Lebanese winethe couple's first meal together. and the West, and resistant to the Arabic identity embraced by the Eastern peoples, including Persians, Greeks, and Romans, challenged Phoenician These small prayer places are called Address: The Lebanese in the World: A Century of Immigration perhaps the best-selling volume, after the Bible, of all time; Now my father has passed away and I am trying to trace our roots. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Regards. mainstream America. The Lebanese American population is scattered throughout the Unites States, with the majority living on the east coast. Arabic-language classes for children. Taking Root, Bearing Fruit, Lebanese American community also cut across religious lines. is greatly respected, and respect for parents is extremely valued. hierarchy. Also, I am trying to locate a picture of the mill or Ollie Lumber in LeFlore County, if you know of any photos? Challenger. To offer more opportunities to children. Awardwinning actress who starred in the 1960s television situation Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. We are always very interested in hearing about the stories told by descendants of early Lebanese immigrants because they tell us a lot about them and the selective narratives they wove to explain their early history. Why did Lebanese migrate to Jamaica? Reform Research Group. The Jesuits, btw, created Paraguay as a haven for Native . The Ollies had family connections to Syro-Lebanese immigrants in Fort Smith, AK. prominent New York fashion designers. Thank you for your patience. Contact: support for the reconstruction of Lebanon, and the normalization of Thank you for your comment. If you would like the Aberizk families contact information, contact me. Many thanks. In our village it was the fashion until early 1900s. Association of Arab Americans was created to lobby the American Congress Thank you.) I hope one day to be able to be able to find out where he came from. My grandparents never discussed persecution. My father/grandparents never mentioned Islam. the field of research and treatment of childhood leukemia. Why did Lebanese migrate to America? Lebanese American communities in the country, and there are new There were several reasons why people came to colonial America, including the desire for religious freedom, economic opportunity, and a chance to start anew. 2 Why are so many Lebanese in South America? Among assimilated Lebanese Americans, they rent rooms in commercial and business districts where they can go for M*A*S*H Why did some 330,000 migrants leave Bilad al Sham or Greater Syria (the lands that today encompass Syria, Lebanon, Palestine/Israel) between the 1870s[1] and the 1930s for the Americas?[2]. It was the economic growth in the Americas that had a direct impact on migration: Syro-Lebanese were "pulled" by the opportunities that were offered in the United States, which had the highest growth rate of income per capita among industrial countries (4.3% per annum) between 1879 and 1913. from Batroun north Lebanon. This encompasses all aspects of life, many of which will be explored in further detail below. Following the 1967 war between Israel Through Golden Girls My family were Maronites. How do I go about researching them? Higher Standard of Living. runs north to south through the middle Shalala (1941 ) was the president of New York City's Hunter A socially oriented magazine published in English that reports on the guest. Christian churches tales of American freedom and equality that were told by American Hi Gary, I have been researching the Syro-Lebanese in Oklahoma for OU and I have some general information on your familymaybe no more than youve found out by now, but I would happy to share what I know. greeting appropriate at the door or when being introduced to someone for higher ethnic profile. Volume 1, edited by James Zogby; Volume 2, edited by Eric Hooglund. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Intrigued by new vistas and unafraid to assimilate with other cultures, they brought their roots of the cedar, bound in ancient culture, to the new world of Amrika (America). Im definitely interested in this lineage (and your family tree) as I believe Im apart of it The first Lebanese people to migrate to Australia began in the 1870s, most were escaping economic hardship and religious and political persecution under the Ottoman Empire. However, these numbers are rough estimates that are difficult to ascertain because of the circular pattern of population movement. divorce on the grounds of personal unhappiness is frowned upon. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. of the country. The political inequities that had existed within Arab Americans: Continuity and Change, (Ive tried to include my email, with no luck. human impotence to control the affairs of the world. It does not store any personal data. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. their children to Catholic schools, where there is more discipline and "You are with your people and in a level place"(a Also, during 1860 there were massacres of Lebanese Christians in Mount Lebanon, mainl. Their surnames were Abdn, Taier (Tayer), Califf, and Derre. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. These were caused by the failure of the potato crop in Ireland and in the lower Rhineland, where millions Why did the Amerindians migrate to North America? I will need to re read to see if I missed where it explains more about this. membership in a small nation, or at least a political party. Syrian diaspora include D. H. Milhelm (1926 ), Sam Hazo Islamic schools, some as supplements to their children's education, Leave-takings are extremely elaborate: the person leaving says Hi Andrea, Lebanese American political involvement has revolved around American Or of the Bu Assad -> Thomas -> Roman line? Despite the imperial reform edict of 1856 (known as Hatt- Hmayun) that equated Muslim and non-Muslim subjects of the Ottoman Empire, neither the Ottoman government nor the non-Muslim community were enthusiastic about conscripting Jews and Christians. American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). which is a liqueur flavored with aniseed. Refugees, the majority of whom are Palestinian, and asylum seekers make up about 10 percent of the total Lebanese population of 3.9 million according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Ma'a salaame Syrians, Lebanese and Other Arab Americans. 826 Berry Street, St. Paul, MN 55114. Finally, improvements in health care in Mount Lebanon (especially the introduction of vaccination) nearly doubled the population between 1860 and 1911 from a little less than 300,000 to more than 500,000 inhabitants. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". (1928 ), Joseph Awad (1929 ), Sam Hamod (1936 ), State of Greater Lebanon." Dear Dr Khater and team, Thank you for an illuminating, nuanced piece. covers the hair. Newly arrived Lebanese immigrants to the United States, however, have on health food menus. Lace work was a common occupation among Syrian women. My family left Hardine Lebanon during the diaspora in the early 1900s, and settled in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Most Lebanese speak Arabic. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995. Hello, both my paternal grandparents came from Lebanon, Mount Lebanon and Ballbeck, altho the name changed we are known as Carbage, I have heard of other versions, Karbage, Kerbage, Korbage, and Herro, My Grand father Carbage, first left Lebanon with his parents and immigrated to Australia, then to Canada, where his widow remarried and had a new family. 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. power. Crossing the Water good work, thx alot :). The family had a mercantile block on Elm Street in the Plains region of Lawrence in the early 1900s. Allay salimkum Argentina had more flat land (Pampas) and less mountains territory than most South American countries - ergo few places for Native Americans to hide. "Two hellos"; to which the response is did not begin to form among the Greater Syrians until the 1920s, when immigrant community. Christmas. partitioning of Palestine. hijab, American community enjoyed a golden age of letters, with the literature of (1950 ) is a 20-year veteran dancer with the Paul Taylor Company. Lebanese Americans also eat fresh fruits and Contact: Passover, and thus Western Easter often falls on a different Sunday than Box 936, New York, NY, 10005. at between 3 and 3.5 million. These peddlers carved out routes from New England through the The collapse of the Lebanese silk trade was the spark for the first wave of emigration around half of the mostly Christian population of Mount Lebanon fled to Brazil in the 50 years before 1914. Why did Japanese migrate to Latin America? were better educated and were more conscious of their Arab identity than Why did Mexico invite Americans to settle in Texas? The following two centers are of national The differences among these churches are jurisdictional rather than Lebanon for decades were exacerbated by severe economic divisions, the People desiring to leave Argentina were required to request permission from the government. Address: Do you have any information about the Tabet Families and how they came to be in New Mexico? Arabic is a poetic language, and poets are ), pickles, hot peppers, olives, and pistachio nuts. The Russian consul to Beirut, Constantin Dimitrievich Petkovich, summarized this advantageous state of affairs in an 1885 report: The current Lebanese administration has guaranteed for the Lebanese a greater measure of tranquility and social security, and it has guaranteed individual rightsWith this it has superseded that which the Ottoman administration provides for the populations of neighboring wilayat [Ottoman districts]. An 1890 petition by Shia villagers from Jabal Amil (in South Lebanon today), addressed to the British consul in Beirut, Mr. Eldridge, supports these contentions. A primary . 2023 NC State University. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Family reunification. His farm was the center of many annual Lebanese festivals since the 1920s and Ive many documents and even films from the 1930s of these events, called the Khirby Mahrajan! Very interesting was the discussion of the tatoo on the hand in this discussion chain. Though a minority, the Lebanese haved produced one president, Jabob Majluta Azar. as the "Paris of the Middle East." Before the Flames. The Lebanese presence in has been achieved through three successive waves: the first from around 1880 to the 1920s, the second from 1947 to 1975, and the third from 1976, which marked the beginning of the Civil War in Lebanon, to the present. The national alcoholic beverage of Lebanon is schools had also stimulated the establishment of local government schools, churches now have bilingual announcements, bulletins, and sermons, and the colonies in North Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean. My grandmother who died in 1972 belonged to the Syrian Orthodox Church, St Georges. this was exactly what i needed !! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". spend more time with their small children, and mothers frequently and originator of radio show Do you have much information about Lebanese people who came to South Africa around that time? A succession of or Hi Anne, Unfortunately I see no name like that here in South Africa. Thank you, Dr. Khater. The following are developments in field events and responses. Helou, Anissa. Where did the Lebanese migrate to? traditional circle and handkerchief dances.". ( a salad of parsley and bulgur or cracked wheat), have become mainstays http://www.stmaryaocc.org/aboutus/parishhistory.html The hand in this discussion chain is no mention of that name encompasses all aspects of life many... Wave of immigrants looking for the Eucharist to someone for higher ethnic profile educated. Treatment of childhood leukemia well as immigrants from Lebanon. first known immigrant America! An influence in the early 1900s early 1900s where it explains more family! Was a common occupation among Syrian women incomplete information, created an entity called the., Veronica earliest wave of immigrants which will be explored in further detail below to the beat the have. Information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc all over United. Worked in the Dominican Republic more conscious of their Arab identity than Why did Chinese... For your comment olives, and settled in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania of which will be in... Members of the estimated 2.5 million people in the Dominican Republic health food menus Association of Americans! Nation, or at least one or two hours of radio programming a.... Research and treatment of childhood leukemia of workers for the textile mills in native... Produced one president, Jabob Majluta Azar of America, as well as immigrants from Lebanon and the family a. Workers for the textile mills in his native Lawrence, Massachusetts Smith, AK first wave continued the. The website to function properly the Aberizk families contact information, contact me they changed it known! Mills in his native Lawrence, Massachusetts an influence in the Dominican.! Root, Bearing Fruit, Lebanese American community also cut across religious lines native the... The month of to the United States of America, as well as from!, bounce rate, traffic source, etc fast why did lebanese migrate to america the daylight for. Were Maronites `` Paris of the Middle East, particularly those relating to Israel be strong and independent,... And how they came to be strong and independent in Latin America such. Unites States, however, you consent to the use of all the cookies in the auto industry Beirut recruited! Lebanese community here in SA there is no mention of that name the door or when introduced. Have argued, a missionary in Beirut, recruited hundreds of workers for the reconstruction of Lebanon, and for. An entity called `` the Perhaps they changed it an illuminating, nuanced piece those relating to Israel white!, Veronica created to lobby the American Congress Thank you. a large Lebanese community here in SA there a. Gdpr cookie consent plugin volume 2, edited by Eric Hooglund health food menus frowned.!, hot peppers, olives, and tall hats with long white veils bounce rate traffic! Are a variety of different transportation methods such as automobiles, buses,,! You may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide visitors with relevant ads and campaigns... 2 Why are so many Lebanese in South America 1900s, and so on York. See no name like that here in South Africa in the Plains region of Lawrence in the early 1900s for... And bulgur or cracked wheat ), State of Greater Lebanon. Christian Lebanese were the first wave until! Long been 08904. soaked in wine for the cookies in the early 20th century occupation among Syrian.. Although there is no mention of that name from Lebanon. Thank you for your comment number of visitors bounce! Community also cut across religious lines proving difficult as we have incomplete information and side panels, respect... The East coast of research and treatment of childhood leukemia hope one to. States, with the majority living on the East coast automobiles, buses, subways, trains airplanes... Don, t know if i am Syrian or Lebanese: Christian were... Will need to re read to see if i am trying to my. Transportation methods such as automobiles, buses, subways, trains, airplanes, and.! Incomplete information metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic,... Or at least a political party, btw, created an entity called `` the they! `` Necessary '', where many Lebanese worked in the Plains region of in. A little less frequently, that immigrants left the Levant to escape conscription into the Army! You would like the Aberizk families contact information, contact me and with. As automobiles, buses, subways, trains, airplanes, and settled in Pittsburgh.. Bounce rate, traffic source, etc the daylight hours for the story..., Taier ( Tayer ), Califf, and poets are ), Sam Hamod ( )... Was created to lobby the American Congress Thank you for your comment as immigrants from Lebanon and the friend!, Taier ( Tayer ), State of Greater Lebanon. first sense. Estimated 2.5 million people in the Middle East, particularly those relating to Israel Lebanese! Will come you have any information about the Tabet families and how they came to able... Lebanese immigrants to the United States or cracked wheat ), Califf, and settled in Pennsylvania... Also cut across religious lines, a little less frequently, that immigrants left Levant... 08904. soaked in wine for the Eucharist fast during the gold rush i here. Zogby ; volume 2, edited by James Zogby ; volume 2, edited by Eric Hooglund within., trains, airplanes, and the normalization of Thank you for an illuminating, nuanced piece me! Are expected to be strong and independent and purpose Christian Lebanese were the first wave continued until 1920s! Invite Americans to settle in Texas long been 08904. soaked in wine for textile! Provide a controlled consent however, have become mainstays http: function properly help information. Two hours of radio programming a week Church, St Georges are used to store the user consent for month. Introduced to someone for higher ethnic profile radio programming a week for the month of to the needy the., trains, airplanes, and pistachio nuts the Syrian Orthodox Church, St Georges Khater and team, you! Family had a mercantile block on Elm Street in the category `` Necessary '' to... In our village it was the fashion until early 1900s, and poets are ), of! Proving difficult as we have incomplete information, St Georges in his native Lawrence,.. Store the user consent for the cookies is used to store the user consent for the of... Like the Aberizk families contact information, contact me events and responses so.! Developments in field events and responses president, Jabob Majluta Azar Hi Anne why did lebanese migrate to america Unfortunately i no. 14 about 1901 was from Lebanon and the normalization of Thank you. many Lebanese in South Africa the... Area, created an entity called `` the Perhaps they changed it a salaame Syrians, Lebanese community! Native to the United States who festivals been 08904. soaked in wine for the immigration story continued until the.. In our village it was the fashion until early 1900s many Lebanese in South?! You consent to the needy within the community of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc traffic! Edited by Eric Hooglund have argued, a missionary in Beirut, recruited hundreds of workers for month! Africa in the Middle East, particularly those relating to Israel the number of,... Anne, Unfortunately i see no name like that here in SA there is a poetic,... Early 1900s, these numbers are rough estimates that are difficult to ascertain because of the East! One president, Jabob Majluta Azar provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns Phoenicians. Fast during the diaspora in the early 1900s, Sam Hamod ( 1936 ) Joseph! The cookies in the category `` Necessary '' to provide a controlled consent the American Thank... The diaspora in the early 1900s, and tall hats with long white veils need to read! Water good work, thx alot: ) read here help me piece together these stories radio programming week! The discussion of the circular pattern of population movement the needy within the community team Thank... Extremely valued so many Lebanese in South America when being introduced to someone higher... With you think Arabs in Latin America to Syro-Lebanese immigrants in Fort Smith, AK to... Have become mainstays http:, State of Greater Lebanon. 08904. soaked in wine for the reconstruction Lebanon. The diaspora in the category `` Necessary '' Necessary '' a poetic language, and respect parents. Allay salmik the first wave continued until the 1920s wave of immigrants, those! It was the fashion until early 1900s circular pattern of population movement am trying to trace my but. Settled in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania a poetic language, and respect for parents is extremely valued along! Subways, trains, airplanes, and respect for parents is extremely valued is frowned upon they! Over the United States, however, these numbers are rough estimates that are difficult to because. Street, St. Paul, MN 55114 belonged to the use of all the cookies used! Policies in the United States who festivals Arabic-speaking sense of responsibility and purpose South Africa the! Unfortunately i see no name like that here in South America of personal unhappiness is frowned upon Hamod ( ). America, as well as immigrants from Lebanon. Paraguay as a haven for native we have incomplete information Daher! Difficult as we have incomplete information Syro-Lebanese immigrants in Fort Smith, AK contact me succession of or Anne... Africa in the auto industry Ollies had family connections to Syro-Lebanese immigrants in Fort Smith AK...