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Assyrian genealogical research

Assyrian genealogical research

Posted: 22 Apr 2002 6:36PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Yonan, Amoo, Enweeya, Desho
Greetings,

I know that there is a large Assyrian community in Turlock, CA. I hope someone might be able to help me get started with Assyrian genealogical research.

My husband's surname is YONAN and he is Assyrian-American. His parents were both Assyrians and emigrated to the United States in the early 1900s from Urmia, Persia. They moved to Chicago first and were married there. In the 1920s they moved to Knox, Indiana and in 1947 they moved back to Chicago.

My father-in-law's name was given as Bachus AMOO on the ship's passenger list but was changed to Benjamin Yonan at Ellis Island. He emigrated alone as a teenager to make money to send back home so his family could also emigrate. However his village was attacked and the residents massacred by the soldiers of the Ottoman Empire that ruled that area before his family could escape. As far as we know my father-in-law's family members were all killed.

ENWEEYA is the only surname I'm familiar with of a relative of my father-in-law's from the Middle East. He lived in Chicago in the early and mid 1900s and emigrated from the Middle East in the early 1900s.

My mother-in-law's maiden name was DESHO.

Can anyone give me suggestions on how to go about Assyrian genealogical research in the Middle East and particularly the Assyrian villages of old Persia?

Thank you for any information you might have that would help us trace my husband's roots.

Mary Allison Yonan
Decatur, IL
yonan@fgi.net

Re: Assyrian genealogical research

Posted: 7 May 2002 3:38AM GMT
Classification: Query
Contact the Family History Library in Salt Lake City,Utah
35 West Temple,Salt Lake City Utah
Ph.801-240-2331
Ask for Floor B-1(International)
They can help you

Re: Assyrian genealogical research

Posted: 7 May 2002 3:42AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Yonan, Amoo, Enweeya, Desho
Thanks for the information, Anna. Have you been successful in learning about your Assyrian ancestors by contacting the LDS Library in SLC?

Mary

Re: Assyrian genealogical research

Cheryl Pence-Gates (View posts)
Posted: 31 May 2002 5:04AM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello Mary, My mother's maiden name was Desho. Her father was from Croatia. I was told he changed his name from Desich to Desho when he came to the USA. But I acquired some evidence to dispute this. I kind of doubted it to begin with. Imagine my surprise to see the Desho name in your post. Could you give me a little info about your mother-in-law's Desho people?

Thanks so much.

Re: Assyrian genealogical research

Dolores Reed (View posts)
Posted: 29 Sep 2002 8:07AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Yonan
Mary --- I no longer live in Turlock, but visit family there several times a year. I believe a lot of Yonans still live there. Also, there is a well-organized Assyrian association with a headquarters building there. You might check with them. If you need assistance, please e-mail me and I will see what I can do to get specific information. (jeenyallergy@aol.com)

Also, I picked up an interesting book in a used book store in southern California a couple of years ago: "The Assyrian National Directory In The United States of America for 1960" published by The Assyrian National Association, Inc. of Chicago, sponsored by the Assyrian American Federation in America. I don't know if it exists, but it actually listed names, addresses and phone numbers of all the Assyrians in Turlock and across the U.S.! Who knows? That publication may still exist in a modern format?

Try putting "American Assyrian Federation" in keyword and do a search....

Assyrian genealogical research

Posted: 3 Jul 2003 4:03PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 20 Nov 2003 6:59PM GMT
Surnames: PEARA, PEARAH, SHALITTA, YONAN, JOSEPH, YOUSIF
Hello,

My ancestors were also from the villages of Urmia, Persia. I have been told that they lived in Diza or Deza and Ardishai (sp?). They left during the genocides during WWI era and came to Ellis Island, stayed in NY a short time and settled in Philadelphia. Eventually some made their way to California.

I am seeking family members for any of the following surnames so that we may exchange histories, recipes, and family photos, stories...

I am trying to make a connection with Catherine Pearah who married a Dr. Yonan (Dr. to the old Shah of Persia).

Please reply here or via email for direct contact info, my webpage is listed here:

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/h/a/Christy-M-S...

2009 Update: Assyrian genealogical research

Posted: 2 Dec 2009 12:23AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: PEARA, PEARAH, SHALITTA, YONAN, JOSEPH, YOUSIF
Hello - this is Christy, the author of the original message posted above/below. I can no longer access the "Shalitta" profile because I can no long access the email that I used to start the account.

Just wanted to update and let you know I am still researching this line, still interested in these family members. I can be contacted through my current profile:

http://community.ancestry.com/profile.aspx?mba=000c88f2-0000...

Thanks and best wishes!
********************************
Hello,

My ancestors were also from the villages of Urmia, Persia. I have been told that they lived in Diza or Deza and Ardishai (sp?). They left during the genocides during WWI era and came to Ellis Island, stayed in NY a short time and settled in Philadelphia. Eventually some made their way to California.

I am seeking family members for any of the following surnames so that we may exchange histories, recipes, and family photos, stories...

I am trying to make a connection with Catherine Pearah who married a Dr. Yonan (Dr. to the old Shah of Persia).

Re: Assyrian genealogical research

Posted: 19 Jun 2014 2:06PM GMT
Classification: Query
Dear Dolores,
I am interested in "The Assyrian National Directory In The United States of America for 1960" published by The Assyrian National Association, Inc. of Chicago, sponsored by the Assyrian American Federation in America. I have not been able to find this anywhere. Do you still hold the copy?
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