Updates made 2012-04-05

My girlfriend is Jaime Zerka and we live in Flint, Michigan. As part of a project for a course at Michigan State University, I researched some family histories. The following research is NOT my own but I have put it here in an effort to begin researching the family tree of my girlfriend.

UPDATE: Great news! The researcher who compiled this list has been found and now can get full credit for it! That person is Souheil Khoury who lives in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia; b. 17 Jun 1971. Thank you very much to Souheil for compiling this research and contacting me. I’m looking forward to extending this research with as much help as possible (when time permits). Also, thanks to Ron Zerka (Flint, MI, USA), Jaime’s uncle, who did forward me the info from Souheil.

UPDATE: Today, my girlfriend Jaime asked me where she fit in to this history. She was mostly interested in when the name changed from Zarka to Zerka (she’s now Jaime Zerka). We discovered that her line is in #8 Hanna Zarka & Mariam Zarka (1865 – ). We’ll dig deeper and begin with putting Jaime’s tree on Ancestry.com then updating this page as we discover new information!

 

Zarka/Zerka Family Tree

1. Said Zarka (b: 1878) (Abou Tohme) & Cecilia Hanna Elia

  1. Zakia Zarka
  2. Tohme Zarka
  3. Hileneh Zarka
  4. Mariam Zarka
  5. Khalil Zarka
  6. Saad Zarka
  7. Nayfe Zarka
  8. Misaadi Zarka

 

  • 1. Zakia (Nadia) Zarka & Charles Abraham (Rizk) (1887 – 1974)
    • Wadih (Eddie) Abraham (1916 – 1991) Juliette Spears (1918 – 1982)
      • Spencer Abraham (1952 – ) & Betty Hershey
        • Juliette Abraham
        • Elizabeth Abraham
        • Spencer Abraham Jnr.
    • Wadih (Eddie) Abraham & Arlene Bolen
      • Mary Abraham
      • Josephine Abraham
    • Edward (Bud) Abraham (1917 – ) & Loretta Rohl
    • Joseph (Louie) Abraham (1921 – 1974) Genevieve Sears (1921 – 1977)
      • Nora Abraham (1947 – ) & Terry Exline
        • Christopher Exline
      • Nora Abraham & Edward Ciccolo (1944 – )
      • Sarah Abraham & Timothy Wood (1949 – )
        • Gregory Wood (1976 – )
        • Ashley Wood (1983 – )
      • Raymond Abraham (1953 – ) & Kristen Boersma (1947 – )
        • William Abraham (1979 – )
        • Genevieve Abraham (1980 – )
        • Megan Abraham (1985 – )
      • Lou-Ann Abraham & James Gross
        • Emily Gross (1991 – )
        • Katherine Gross (1994 – )
      • Tina Abraham (1958 – ) & Timothy Morgan
    • Khalil Abraham
    • Tohme Abraham
  • 2. Tohme Zarka & Salime Zarka
    • Nayef Zarka (1925 – ) & Azizi Said Hanna Elia (1936 – )
      • Nadia Zarka (1955 – ) & Maroon Hakim
        • Patrick Zarka (1977 – )
        • Serge Zarka (1982 – )
        • Ralf Zarka (1986 – )
      • Hoda Zarka (1961 – ) & Pierre Maroon
        • Cynthia Maroon (1987 – )
        • Leticia Maroon
        • Sereel Maroon
      • Elie Zarka
      • Christopher Zarka (1970 – )
    • Maurice Zarka (1927 – )
    • Yvonne Zarka (1929 – )
    • Rosa Zarka (1931 – )
    • Cecile Zarka (1935 – ) & Najib Boustani (1933 – )
      • Michel Boustani (1957 – )
      • Antoine Boustani (1959 – ) & Amal Asmahail (1962 – )
        • Diana Boustani (1985 – )
        • Hadi Boustani (1989 – )
      • Camille Boustani (1963 – )
      • Mary Boustani (1966 – )
    • Laurice Zarka (1942 – ) & Tannious Zahran
      • Alexander Zahran (1964 – )
      • Richard Zahran (1971 – )
      • Mona Zahran (1973 – )
    • Said Zarka & Hoda Saghbine (1951 – )
      • Savio Zarka (1979 – )
  • 3. Hileneh Zarka & Akl Zarka
    • Mikhail Zarka (1923 – )
    • Youssef Zarka & Yvette Khalil Said Zarka (1935 – )
      • Catherine Zarka (1954 – ) & George Zarka
        • Nadine Zarka (1980 – )
        • Alain Zarka (1982 – )
        • Christine Zarka (1982 – )
      • Nabil Zarka (1965 – )
    • Fayez Zarka & Kokab Ghafari
      • Bernadette Zarka (1953 – )
      • Victor Zarka (1956 – )
      • Jacqueline Zarka (1959 – )
      • Francoise Zarka (f) (1960 – )
      • Mouna Zarka (1962 – )
  • 4. Mariam Zarka & Elias Rashid Zarka
    • Dib Zarka (1927 – ) & Ramza Nehme Mtanious Badawi (1926 – )
      • George Zarka (1948 – ) & Samira Nasri (1950 – )
        • Leila Zarka (1971 – )
        • Nabil Zarka (1975 – )
      • Mary Zarka (1950 – )
      • Elham Zarka (1951 – )
      • Boulos Zarka (1953 – )
      • Saideh Zarka (1957 – )
      • Elias Zarka (1956 – ) & Eleanor Abu Khalil (1958 – )
        • Edward Zarka (1979 – )
      • Fadi Zarka (1960 – ) & Antoinette Beiruti (1963 – )
        • Dib Zarka (1987 – )
    • Nemra Zarka (1937 – ) & Rashid Salim Zarka
      • Salim Zarka (1957 – ) & Juliet Salim (1960 – )
        • Rashid Zarka (1984 – )
      • Elias Zarka (1964 – )
      • Fadi Zarka (1968 – )
      • Georgette Zarka (1970 – )
  • 5. Khalil Zarka & Adel Saad
    • Albert Zarka (1934 – ) & Noha Saghbine (1948 – )
      • Nada Zarka (1968 – )
      • Khalil Zarka (1970 – )
      • Marwane Zarka (1979 – )
    • Yvette Zarka (1935 – ) & Youssef Akl Zarka
      • Catherine Zarka (1954 – ) & George Zarka
        • Nadine Zarka (1980 – )
        • Alain Zarka (1982 – )
        • Christine Zarka (1982 – )
      • Nabil Zarka (1965 – )
    • Edward Zarka (1943 – ) & Monique Saad (1954 – )
      • Eve Zarka (1978 – )
  • 6. Saad Zarka & Saada Rizk (Daughter of Hanneh Hanna Elia)
    • Jamil Zarka (1933 – ) & Rose Badawi
      • Viviane Zarka (1958 – )
      • Randa Zarka
      • Bassam Zarka (1960 – )
      • Najat Zarka (1963 – )
      • Fadia Zarka (1967 – )
    • Hileneh Zarka (1940 – )
    • Saideh Zarka (1943 – ) & Elias Karkafi
      • Marleine Karkafi
      • Mario Karkafi (1973 – )
      • Bassam Karkafi (1974 – )
    • Awad Zarka (1948 – ) & Antoinette Rizk (1956 – )
      • Jinan Zarka (1979 – )
      • Reine Zarka (1980 – )
      • Georges Zarka (1982 – )
      • Elie Zarka (1985 – )
    • Emelie Zarka & Antoine Warde
      • Wadiha Warde
  • 7. Nayfe Zarka & Khalil Khoury (Died young no children)
  • 7. Nayfe Zarka & Said Khoury
    • Khaled Khoury & Feryal Al Chawki
      • Said Khoury (1971 – )
      • John Khoury (1975 – )
      • Pierre Khoury (1977 – )
  • 8. Misaadi Zarka

 

2. Rashid Zarka &

  1. Boutros Zarka (Rashid)
  2. Elias Zarka
  3. Mariam Zarka
  • 1. Boutros Rashid (b: 1884) & Noura Haidmous (1900 – 1989)
    • Julia Rashid (1916 – )
    • Mary Rashid (1918 – 1981)
    • Jamilli Rashid (1919 – ) Died between 1920 and 1930
    • George Rashid (1920 – 1967)
      • Peter Rashid
        • David Rashid
        • Michael Rashid
        • Mary Rashid
      • Mark Rashid & Hilda Sarkis
        • Charlie Rashid
        • Lewis Rashid
        • Theresa Rashid
    • Youssef (John) Rashid (1927 – ) & Annie Essy (Zarka) (1929 – )
      • Raymond Rashid
      • Janette Rashid & Mark Brunette
        • Rachelle Brunette (1982 – ) & Paul Crawford
        • John Brunette (1984 – )
        • Renee Brunette (1986 – )
        • Raeanne Brunette (1988 – ) &
          • Jayden Mardigan (2009 – )
      • Nannette Rashid &
        • Nicolas Beck
      • Mona Rashid
        • Jennifer Rashid (born. 1971, now Vancalcar)
          • Nora Vancalcar (born. 2002) named for her great-great grandmother Nora Rashid (John’s mother)
          • Note: This information (Jennifer and Nora) was supplied via a comment on the website!
        • Caleb Gille
        • Kaylee Gille
      • Theresa Rashid & Mike Ramsey
        • Kyle Ramsey
        • Rebecca Ramsey
  • 2. Elias Zarka & Mariam Said Zarka
    • Dib Zarka (1927 – ) & Ramza Nehme Mtanious Badawi (1926 – )
      • George Zarka (1948 – ) & Samira Nasri (1950 – )
        • Leila Zarka (1971 – )
        • Nabil Zarka (1975 – )
      • Mary Zarka (1950 – )
      • Elham Zarka (1951 – )
      • Boulos Zarka (1953 – )
      • Saideh Zarka (1957 – )
      • Elias Zarka (1956 – ) & Eleanor Abu Khalil (1958 – )
        • Edward Zarka (1979 – )
      • Fadi Zarka (1960 – ) & Antoinette Beiruti (1963 – )
        • Dib Zarka (1987 – )
    • Nemra Zarka (1937 – ) & Rashid Salim Zarka
      • Salim Zarka (1957 – ) & Juliette Abu Salim (1960 – )
        • Rashid Zarka (1984 – )
      • Elias Zarka (1964 – )
      • Fadi Zarka (1968 – )
      • Georgette Zarka (1970 – )
  • 3. Mariam Zarka (1893 – ) & Salim Zarka
    • Hanneh Zarka & Elias Espiridon
      • Toufic Espiridon (1931 – )
      • Chafic Espiridon (1934 – ) & Fareza Khoury
        • Elias Espiridon (1958 – )
        • Nicolas Espiridon (1963 – )
        • Jack Espiridon (1965 – )
        • Sohad Espiridon (1971 – )
      • Nabiha Espiridon (1935 – ) & Youssef Al Khouney
        • Maroun El Khouney (1956 – )
        • Laure El Khouney (1959 – ) & Issa Saada (1953 – )
          • Jean Saada (1983 – )
          • Julian Saada (1986 – )
        • Ghada El Khouney (1962 – )
        • Boulos El Khouney (1966 – )
        • Boutros El Khouney (1969 – )
      • Samir Espiridon & Azmina Maurice
        • Laurice Espiridon (1967 – )
      • Samir Espiridon & Josephine Deba (1951 – )
        • Robert Espiridon (1972 – )
        • Randa Espiridon (1975 – )
        • Chadi Espiridon (1981 – )
      • Mary Espiridon (1944 – )
      • Maurice Espiridon (1946 – ) & Salwa Al Barshy (1955 – )
        • Rabih Espiridon (1984 – )
        • Gilbert Espiridon (1985 – )
    • Jamilli Zarka (1910 – 1971) & Najib Boulos Khoury
      • Youssef Khoury (1924 – ) & Sophia Zarka (d)
        • Saideh Khoury (1948 – ) & Tannious Mazraani (1943 – )
          • Joseph Mazraani (1965 – ) & Takla Badawi (1975 – )
            • Mariana Mazraani
            • Kristel Mazraani
            • Juliano Mazraani
          • Salimi Mazraani (1966 – ) & Ghassan Haroun (d)
            • Charbel Haroun (1987 – )
            • Stephany Haroun & Rolan Atieh (1976 – )
              • Peter Atieh
            • Feryal Haroun
          • Fadi Mazraani (1970 – ) & Rita Aldamasey (1974 – )
          • George Mazraani (1977 – ) & Reine Saleh
        • Geryas Khoury (1951 – ) & Souad Chamoun (1948 – )
          • Joseph Khoury (1975 – ) & Grace Maalouf (1980 – )
            • Jason Khoury
          • Johnny Khoury (1977 – )
          • Jack Khoury (1980 – )
          • Joelle Khoury (1985 – )
        • Ahlam Khoury (1954 – ) & Hasan Chahoud (d)
          • Eugenie Chahoud &? Sleiman
          • Zalfa Chahoud & Andre Korbosy
        • Elham Khoury (1956 – ) & Geryas Towile (1950 – 2011)
          • Jimmy Towile (f) (1978 – ) & Khaled Haddad
            • ? Haddad
            • ? Haddad
            • ? Haddad
          • Charbel Towile (1979 – ) &
            • Dany Towile
          • Joseph Towile (1987 – )
      • Boulos Khoury (died as infant)
      • Randa Khoury (died as infant)
      • Hasiba Khoury & Chafic Atmeh
      • Habib Khoury (1932 – 1980) & Widad Chahoud (1940 – )
        • Najib Khoury (1960 – ) & Norma Harfouche (1966 – )
          • Nancy Khoury (1988 – )
          • Habib Khoury (1990 – )
        • Madeleine Khoury (1958 – ) & Joseph Aoun (1958 – )
          • Eliane Aoun (1984 – )
          • Paul Aoun (1986 – )
          • Alain Aoun (1988 – )
        • Aida Khoury (1962 – ) & Elie Aoun (1956 – )
          • Grace Aoun (1982 – )
          • Ramy Aoun (1987 – )
        • George Khoury (1965 – )
      • Sami Khoury (1935 – ) & Mouna Salibi (1934 – )
        • Issam Khoury (1958 – ) & Beverly Ezzy (1960 – )
          • Michael Khoury (1985 – )
          • Paul Khoury (1988 – )
        • Bassam Khoury (1960 – ) & Brigitte Rahme (1964 – )
          • Amanda Khoury (1986 – )
          • Jessica Khoury (1989 – )
          • Alexander Khoury (1995 – )
        • Wafaa Khoury (1962 – ) & Cheiban Said (1952 – )
          • Steven (Said) Said (1986 – )
          • Jason Said (1990 – )
          • Angela Said (1997 – )
        • Souheil Khoury (1971 – ) & Kelly Tattersall (1973 – )
          • Aaliyah Khoury (2004 – )
      • Hichmeh Khoury (1938 – )
      • Michel Khoury (1940 – ) & Georgette Saker (1935 – )
        • Jean-Claude Khoury (1966 – ) & Carla Abou Azar (1971 – )
          • Carl Khoury
          • Ryan Khoury
        • Gilbert Khoury (1968 – ) & Michele Al Chacar (1971 – )
          • Lucretsia Khoury
          • Yvano Khoury
        • Jinan Khoury (1973 – ) & Milad Khoury (1966 – )
          • Murielle Khoury
          • Stephanie Khoury (1994 – )
          • Miguel Khoury
        • Jocelyn Khoury (1974 – ) & Salah Darwishe (1970 – )
      • Wajih Khoury (1944 – ) &
        • Nisrine Khoury (1979 – )
        • Fadi Khoury (1980 – ) & Della Ata
      • Elias Khoury (1947 – )

 

3. Khalil Zarka &

1. Assaad Zarka

  • 1. Assaad Zarka
    • Kamal Zarka & Lucille Rizk
      • Sophia Zarka & Youssef Najib Boulos Khoury (1924 – )
        • Saideh Khoury (1948 – ) & Tannious Mazraani (1943 – )
          • Joseph Mazraani (1965 – ) & Takla Badawi (1975 – )
            • John Mazraani
            • Mariana Mazraani
            • Kristel Mazraani
            • Juliano Mazraani
          • Salimi Mazraani (1966 – ) & Ghassan Haroun (d)
            • Charbel Haroun (1987 – )
            • Stephany Haroun & Rolan Atieh (1976 – )
              • Peter Atieh
            • Feryal Haroun
          • Fadi Mazraani (1970 – ) & Rita Aldamasey (1974 – )
          • George Mazraani (1977 – ) & Reine Saleh
        • Geryas Khoury (1951 – ) & Souad Chamoun (1948 – )
          • Joseph Khoury (1975 – ) & Grace Maalouf (1980 – )
            • Jason Khoury
          • Johnny Khoury (1977 – ) & Mariana Ghinet
          • Jack Khoury (1980 – )
          • Joelle Khoury (1985 – )
        • Ahlam Khoury (1954 – ) & Hasan Chahoud (d)
          • Eugenie Chahoud &? Sleiman
          • Zalfa Chahoud & Andre Korbosy
        • Elham Khoury (1956 – ) & Geryas Towile (1950 – 2011)
          • Jimmy Towile (f) (1978 – ) & Khaled Haddad
            • ? Haddad
            • ? Haddad
            • ? Haddad
          • Charbel Towile (1979 – ) &
            • Dany Towile
          • Joseph Towile (1987 – )
      • Farid Zarka & Warda Saba
        • Kamal Zarka (1967 – )
      • Dib Zarka (1941 – ) & Widad Diab (1942 – )
        • Claude Zarka (1967 – )
        • Katy Zarka (1969 – )
        • Georges Zarka (1970 – )
        • Scarlotte Zarka (1971 – )
        • Viviane Zarka (1973 – )
        • Maroun Zarka (1979 – )
      • Amal (Mary) Zarka (1944 – ) & Mtanious Eid (1935 – )
        • Elias Eid (1970 – )
      • Fawzi Zarka (1946 – )
    • Hileneh Zarka (1925 – ) & Nehme Mtanious Badawi
      • Ramez Badawi (1941 – ) & Maria
        • Norm Badawi & Guitta Rahme
          • Ray Badawi (1990 – )
          • Jordan Badawi
        • George Badawi
          • Norman Badaoui
          • Audrey Badaoui
        • Robert Badawi & Louise
          • Anna Badaoui
          • Gabriel Badaoui
      • Mtanious Badawi (1944 – )
      • Hanna Badawi (1946 – ) & Mariam Helou (1950 – )
        • Georges Badawi (1968 – ) & Georgina Khalil (1971 – )
        • Albert Badawi (1969 – )
        • Chadi Badawi (1972 – )
      • Ghassan Badawi (1949 – )
      • Atef Badawi (1952 – ) & Sonia Safrian (1956 – )
        • Jonny Badawi (1976 – )
        • Natalie Badawi (1987 – )
      • Raef Badawi (1955 – )
      • Boulos Badawi (1957 – ) & Bernadette Zarka (1964 – )
        • Fredrick Badawi (1984 – )
        • Charbel Badawi (1986 – )
      • Wadii Badawi (1962 – )
      • Hanane Badawi (1965 – )
      • Mikhail Badawi (1967 – )
    • Latife Zarka & Jamil Mhanna Zarka
      • Fairouz Zarka (1940 – ) & Elias Khalil Jebran Raad (1930 – )
        • Khalil Raad (1964 – )
        • Lina Raad (1967 – )
        • Nabil Raad 1968 – )
      • Hanneh Zarka & Youssef Geryas Elias Makhoul Khoury (1932 – )
        • Fadi Khoury (1962 – )
        • Danny Khoury (1965 – )
        • Johnny Khoury (1966 – ) & Georgina Elia (1971 – )
          • Mandy Khoury
          • John Khoury
        • Edy Khoury (1969 – )
        • Rima Khoury (1970 – )
        • Rania Khoury (1973 – )
      • Youssef Zarka (1945 – ) & Mary Ghastine (1955 – )
        • Kay Zarka
        • Nelly Zarka
      • William Zarka (1948 – ) & Barbara
        • Jimmy Zarka
      • Maha Zarka (1952 – ) & Elias Geryas Elias Makhoul Khoury (1942 – )
        • Mark Khoury (1973 – ) & Chantal Williams
      • Julie Khoury (1976 – )
      • Natasha Khoury
      • Yvette Zarka (1954 – ) & Imad Raad (1952 – )
        • Rabih Raad (1975 – )
        • Riad Raad (1985 – )
      • Pierre Zarka (1959 – )
      • Jean Zarka (1962 – )

 

4. Geryas Zarka (1885 – ) & Hanneh Raad (1895 – )

  1. Aziz Zarka
  2. Zakia Zarka
  3. Habka Zarka
  4. Kaissar Zarka
  5. Louie Zarka
  6. Bahia Zarka
  7. Nemra Zarka
  • 1. Aziz (Isaac) Zarka (1912 – 2002) & Almaza Raad (1915 – 2004 )
    • Fawzi Zarka (1940 – ) & Souad Salame (1947 – )
      • Gilbert Zarka (1972 – )
      • Jabr Zarka (1972 – )
      • Natalie Zarka (1972 – )
    • Said Zarka (1941 – ) & Claude Saliba (1954 – )
      • Rania Zarka (1975 – )
      • Elie Zarka (1981 – )
    • Laudi Zarka (1950 – )
    • Khalil Zarka (1953 – ) & Robyn Oliver
    • Naji Zarka (1948 – 2008) & Nohad Sleimani (1950 – )
      • Alain Zarka (1972 – )
      • Chantal Zarka (1977 – )
  • 2. Zakia (Mary) Zarka (1914 – 1975)
  • 3. Habka (Rosie) Zarka (1916 – d:) & ……..Boulos
  • 4. Kaissar (Iasar) Zarka (1913 – 2011) & Lida (Mary) Charlotte Raad (1913 – 2007)
    • Helene (Elaine) Zarka (1939 – ) & James P Rashid
    • Edward Zarka (1942 – ) & Ruth
    • Evelyne Zarka (1945 – ) & Bill Sass
    • Albert Zarka (1947 – ) & Julie
    • Linda Zarka & Tom Murray
  • 5. Louie Zarka (1919 – ) Mariam Jadoun (1921 – 2001)
    • Maurice Zarka (1950 – )
    • Nawale Zarka (1948 – )
    • Nadim Zarka (1953 – )
  • 6. Bahia Zarka (1925 – 2000) & Tabet Saade
    • Rodena Saada (1950 – )
    • Elie Saada (1952 – )
    • Nicolas Saada (1955 – )
  • 7. Nemra Zarka (1931 – ) & Nassib Asaad Badawi (1921 – )
    • Rosette Badawi (1948 – ) & Samir Zarka
      • Saideh Zarka (1969 – )
    • Madeleine Badawi (1950 – ) & Maurice Abi Ghanem (1931 – )
      • Joseph Abi Ghanem (1973 – )
      • Gaby Abi Ghanem (1975 – )
      • Katie Abi Ghanem (1979 – )
    • Jacqueline Badawi (1952 – )
    • Saideh Badawi (1954 – )
    • Boulos Badawi (1957 – )
    • Boutros Badawi (1959 – )
    • Jean Badawi (1965 – )

 

5. Daoud Zarka & Latife Sawaya Khoury

  1. Nehme Zarka
  2. Toufic Zarka
  3. Naime Zarka
  • 1. Nehme Zarka & Almaza Zarka
    • Nazih Zarka (1940 – ) & Amal Daccache (1948 – )
      • Joseph Zarka (1966 – )
      • Rima Zarka (1970 – ) & Joseph Zayat (1963 – )
      • Georges Zarka (1974 – )
      • Michel Zarka (1975 – )
    • Kaissar Zarka (1949 – ) & Layla Jamal
      • Nehme Zarka (1970 – ) & Beatrice Antabi (1978 – )
        • Lenore Zarka
        • Edmond Zarka
      • Georges Zarka (1975 – )
    • Naziha Zarka (1949 – )
    • Abla Zarka (1951 – ) & Charoubin Charoubin (1948 – )
      • Rana Charoubin (1981 – )
      • Roula Charoubin (1982 – )
      • Randa Charoubin (1984 – )
      • Charbel Charoubin (1987 – )
    • Noura Zarka (1955 – ) & Mike Youssef Massoud Zarka (1948 – )
      • Caroline Zarka (1971 – )
      • Jean Zarka (1973 – )
      • Micheline Zarka (1975 – )
      • Georges Zarka (1980 – )
    • Elie Zarka (1963 – ) & Rosette Kfoury (1965 – )
      • Joseph Zarka (1987 – )
      • Jean Zarka (1989 – )
      • Susanne Zarka (1983 – )
  • 2. Toufic Zarka & Mary Haddad (1924 – )
    • Yvette Zarka (1942 – )
    • Georges Zarka (1943 – ) & Therese Zarka (1948 – )
      • Toufic Zarka (1968 – )
        • Ines Zarka
        • Estelle Zarka
    • Mary Zarka (1947 – )
    • Elie Zarka (1949 – )
    • Anisseh Zarka (1951 – )
    • David Zarka (1959 – )
  • 3. Naime Zarka & Youssef Massoud Zarka
    • Zahi Zarka & Georgette Chakar
      • Liliane Zarka (1964 – )
      • Youssef Zarka (1965 – )
      • Viviane Zarka (1967 – )
      • Marleine Zarka (1968 – )
      • Charbel Zarka (1977 – )
    • Mike Zarka (1948 – ) & Noura Nehme Daoud Zarka (1955 – )
      • Caroline Zarka (1971 – )
      • Jean Zarka (1973 – )
      • Micheline Zarka (1975 – )
      • Georges Zarka (1980 – )

 

6. Massaad Zarka &

  • Youssef Zarka & Naime Daoud Zarka
    • Zahi Zarka & Georgette Chakar
      • Liliane Zarka (1964 – )
      • Youssef Zarka (1965 – )
      • Viviane Zarka (1967 – )
      • Marleine Zarka (1968 – )
      • Charbel Zarka (1977 – )
    • Mike Zarka (1948 – ) & Noura Nehme Daoud Zarka (1955 – )
      • Caroline Zarka (1971 – )
      • Jean Zarka (1973 – )
      • Micheline Zarka (1975 – )
      • Georges Zarka (1980 – )
    • Semaan Zarka & Nouria Badawi
      • Samir Zarka & Rosette Badawi (1948 – )
        • Saideh Zarka (1969 – )
      • Dib Zarka (1949 – ) & Victoria Khoury (1955 – )
        • Semaan Zarka (1974 – )
        • Khalil Zarka (1977 – )
        • Lina Zarka (1976 – )
      • Laure Zarka (1951 – ) & Hanna Daher (1947 – )
        • Nisrine Daher (1977 – )
        • Elias Daher (1987 – )
        • Jean Daher (1984 – )

7. Mikhail Zarka & Saada Zarka

  1. Jacob Zarka
  2. Salime Zarka
  3. Nazira Zarka
  4. Masaad Zarka
  5. Salem Zarka
  6. Karime Zarka
  • 1. Jacob Zarka (1898 – 1979) & Mary Rassey (1913 – 2007)
    • Louie Zarka (1927 – 1956)
    • Ida Zarka (1927 – ) & Jasper Caleca (1922 – 1974)
    • Josephine Zarka (1929 – )
    • Sadie Zarka (1932 – ) & William Foley
    • Michael Zarka (1939 – ) & Marilyn
    • Virginia Zarka & Georges Diab Barhoum Rizk (1939 – )
  • 2. Salime Zarka & Tohme Said Zarka
    • Nayef Zarka (1925 – ) & Azizi Said Hanna Elia (1936 – )
      • Nadia Zarka (1955 – ) & Maroon Hakim
        • Patrick Hakim (1977 – )
        • Serge Hakim (1982 – )
        • Ralf Hakim (1986 – )
      • Hoda Zarka (1961 – ) & Pierre Maroon
        • Cynthia Maroon (1987 – )
        • Leticia Maroon
        • Sereel Maroon
      • Elie Zarka
      • Christopher Zarka (1970 – )
    • Maurice Zarka (1927 – )
    • Yvonne Zarka (1929 – )
    • Rosa Zarka (1931 – )
    • Cecile Zarka (1935 – ) & Najib Boustani (1933 – )
      • Michel Boustani (1957 – )
      • Antoine Boustani (1959 – ) & Amal Asmahail (1962 – )
        • Diana Boustani (1985 – )
        • Hadi Boustani (1989 – )
      • Camille Boustani (1963 – )
      • Mary Boustani (1966 – )
    • Laurice Zarka (1942 – ) & Tannious Zahran
      • Alexander Zahran (1964 – )
      • Richard Zahran (1971 – )
      • Mona Zahran (1973 – )
    • Said Zarka & Hoda Saghbine (1951 – )
      • Savio Zarka (1979 – )
  • 3. Nazira Zarka & Geryas Zarka
    • Fayez Zarka (1927 – ) & Ivonne Atalla (1935 – )
      • George Zarka (1960 – ) & Penny Radke (1965 – )
      • Robert Zarka (1964 – ) & Therese Aoun (1963 – )
        • David Zarka
        • Alese Zarka
        • Anthony Zarka
        • Alainica Zarka
    • Elias Zarka (1929 – 2009) & Hileneh Tadi (1937 – )
      • Violette Zarka (1953 – ) & Said Naffah (1951 – )
      • Joseph Zarka (1955 – ) & Cheryl Fall (1957 – )
        • Mark Zarka
        • Alex Zarka
      • Georges Zarka (1958 – ) & Marilyn Burrows (1964 – )
        • Jacqueline Zarka (1985 – )
        • Anthony Zarka (1987 – )
        • Gloria Zarka
      • Pierre Zarka (1960 – )
    • Jamil Zarka (1932 – ) & Janet Abi Warda
      • Antoinette Zarka (1959 – ) & Ahmad Ghanem
        • Gladys Ghanem (1987 – )
      • Mary Zarka (1960 – ) & Bechara Zogheib (1957 – )
        • Hicham Zogheib
        • Sandra Zogheib
      • Tony Zarka (1962 – ) & Marilyn……
        • Elio Zarka
        • Jimmy Zarka
        • Cynthia Zarka
      • Bernadette Zarka (1964 – ) & Boulos Nehme Mtanious Badawi (1957 – )
        • Fredrick Badawi (1984 – )
        • Charbel Badawi (1986 – )
        • Pascale Badawi
      • Georges Zarka (1966 – ) & Leila Aalia (1968 – )
        • Rita Zarka
        • Charbel Zarka
    • Zeiden Zarka (1935 – ) & Adli Fofla (1938 – )
      • Chawki Zarka (1962 – ) & Starr Conway (1963 – )
        • Nicolas Zarka
        • Natalia Zarka
        • Angelica Zarka
      • Youssef Zarka (1965 – ) & Najat Nasr (1964 – )
        • Jessica Zarka
        • Johnny Zarka
      • Salim Zarka (1966 – )
      • Lina Zarka (1967 – ) & Mohib Sobhieh (1957 – )
        • Maria Mercedes Sobhieh
        • Roy Sobhieh
      • Mariam Zarka (1970 – ) & Antoine Lahoud (1959 – )
        • Eliane Lahoud (1986 – )
        • Elie Lahoud
      • Dany Zarka (1973 – )
      • George Zarka (1975 – ) & Layla
        • Christina Zarka
    • Aziz Zarka (1937 – ) & Hanane Younis
      • Fadi Zarka (1969 – )
    • Aziz Zarka (1937 – ) & Rosette Saif (1935 – )
      • Rita Zarka & Elie Akiki
        • Charbel Akiki
      • Sylvana Zarka & Hanna Akiki
        • Mark Akiki
        • Ralph Akiki
        • Lea Akiki
    • Azar Zarka (1940 – ) & Elizabeth Szasz
      • Edward Zarka & Kimberly Tobin
        • Rachel Zarka & James Yoo
          • Cecilia Yoo
          • June Yoo
        • Steven Zarka
    • Mikhail Zarka (1943 – ) & Marcelle
      • Fred Zerka & Mandie
      • Screen shot of Fred’s family tree [link here]
        • Jaxon Zerka
        • Anthony Zerka
      • Melissa Zarka
    • Fawzi Zarka (1946 – ) & Eliane Assaf (1952 – )
      • Andre Zarka (1986 – )
      • Denise Zarka
    • Milad Zarka (1951 – ) & Georgette Zarka
      • John Zarka
      • Danny Zarka & Asmahan Hanna
      • Joyce Zarka
  • 4. Masaad Zarka & Saada Isaac
    • Alice Zarka (1931 – ) & Ramez Hanna Khaled Khoury (1928 – )
      • Najla Khoury (1952 – )
      • Salwa Khoury (1954 – )
      • Hamid Khoury (1956 – )
      • Mary Khoury (1957 – )
      • Nawale Khoury (1959 – )
      • Jean Khoury (1961 – )
    • Leila Zarka (1933 – ) & Antoine Nehme
      • Joseph Nehme (1957 – ) & Lida Abou Zeidan (1964 – )
        • Rana Nehme (1984 – )
        • Antoine Nehme (1986 – )
        • Christina Nehme (1988 – )
      • Jean Nehme (1959 – )
      • Georgette Nehme & Milad Geryas Zarka
        • John Zarka
        • Danny Zarka
        • Joyce Zarka
    • Ayda Zarka (1933 – 2009) & ……Zeidan
    • Mary Zarka (1936 – ) & Azar Lahoud (1930 – )
      • Wilson Lahoud (1966 – )
    • Najla Zarka (1940 – ) & Abraham Ibrahim (1939 – )
      • Victor Ibrahim (1960 – ) Rahida
        • Abraham Ibrahim
        • Christy Ibrahim
      • Salim Ibrahim (1966 – ) & Nadine
        • Sabine Ibrahim
        • Serge Ibrahim
      • Mary Ibrahim & Marwan Chouefety
        • Charbel Chouefety
        • Lara Chouefety
        • Mira Chouefety
    • Nadia Zarka (b: d: 1979) & Youssef Tadi
      • Laura Tadi & Elie Tadi
    • Rosa Zarka (1946 – )
  • 6. Salem Zarka (1923 – 1995) & Bahija Zarka (1924 – )
    • Siham Zarka (1944 – ) & Najib Masaad (1942 – )
      • Jean Masaad (1972 – )
      • Joumana Masaad (1975 – )
      • Nada Masaad (1978 – )
    • Saada Zarka (1948 – ) & Paul Alwan (1942 – )
      • Rima Alwan (1969 – )
      • Chadi Alwan (1972 – )
      • Rana Alwan (1975 – )
      • Edward Alwan (1975 – )
    • Halim Zarka (1952 – ) & Nawale Awaijane (1959 – )
      • Danny Zarka (1984 – )
      • Michael Zarka (1985 – )
      • Anthony Zarka (1987 – )
      • Joseph Zarka
    • Mikhail Zarka (1952 – ) & Mary Ramez Hanna Khaled Khoury (1957 – )
    • Ahlam Zarka (1955 – ) & John George Soloman
    • Lauraine Zarka (1961 – ) & Joseph Al Dick (1951 – )
      • Ruby Al Dick (1979 – )
      • Grace Al Dick (1983 – )
  • 7. Karime Zarka (1918 – 2008) and Diab Barhoum Rizk
    • Georgette Rizk (1937 – )
    • Georges Rizk (1939 – ) & Virginia Jacob Zarka
    • Hanna Rizk (1944 – 2009) & Sharon Schuch
    • Barhoum Rizk (1953 – ) & Collette Chammas (1961 – )
      • Carole Rizk (1981 – )
      • Tony Rizk (1982 – )
      • Elie Rizk (1986 – )

 

 

 

How to read Section 8:

This Zarka/Zerka tree was given to me by Ron Zerka (Flint MI) through Souheil Khoury. The format it was given to me in consists of the oldest generation to the left. My girlfriend, Jaime Zerka, wants to know her family history. In this section, I’ve reversed the indentation. Jaime was born in 1979 and then her tree “branches out” toward the right. So, the section below is opposite of the rest of the page. Then, I left in Section 8 as given to me so you can connect back to the format as given. I highlight Jaime’s direct family members in red (mothers) and blue (fathers).

Jaime Zerka (b. 11 Jan 1979 in Flint MI, USA)

  • Fa: Joseph Zerka
    • Fa: John Owen Zerka (b. 29 Apr 1924; d. 09 Apr 2008 in Flint MI, USA)
    • In 1935, parents Selim and Leah Zerka came over on the S.S. Berengaria arriving in New York from Cherbourg, France on Sep 17. They brought with them 9 year old son John and 1 year old daughter Alma. Leah was able to read and write English. Selim was naturalized in “Genesee” while John and Alma are listed as “born in Flint Ohio” which we know should be Michigan. The town of Dardakia Syria is listed as the place of birth of Leah Zerka. Here is the passenger list [link]. You can read the oral history of Derdghaya aka Dardakia [here].
    • Sis: Louise Shaheen
    • Sis: Alma Zerka (sp. Ron Albert, Dimondale MI, USA)
    • Bro: James Zerka (sp. Helen, Crystal MI, USA)

      • Fa: Salim (aka “Sam” and “Selim”) John Zarka (b. 5 Jul 1898; d. Aug 1960)
      • Here is Sam John Zerka’s draft registration card from 20 July 1898. The address listed is 1101 W Saint Joseph Street, Lansing MI 48917. Sam’s profession is listed as cook at the Downey Hotel [great link to hotel pics; more info here]. His nearest relative is listed as “Uncle George Said” which is George Williams from the 1920 Census [link here].
      • Here is Salim and Leah’s marriage record
      • In 1949, the family owned several “Zerka and Rassey Food Markets” with the locations listed here:
        • 1302 E Court St, Flint MI
        • 1656 1/2 Ohio, Flint MI
        • 1701 Kearsley Park, Flint MI
        • 3802 Industrial Ave, Flint MI
      • Bro: Toufic Zarka
      • Bro: Geryas Zarka
      • House of Geryas Zarka in Lebanon
        • Fa: John (Hanna) Zarka
          • Fa: Mansour Zarka
          • Ma:
        • Ma: Mary (Mariam) Zarka
        • Alternate info? Fa: Mikhael (aka “Michael”) Zarka
        • Alternate info? Ma: Saada (aka “Sarah”) Zarka
      • Ma: Leah Rassey aka Liah Zarka (20 Jul 1909 in Syria; arrived in New York from Cherbourg, France 17 Sep 1935; d. 6 Apr 1985)
      • Here is Salim and Leah’s marriage record
      • Note from Souse Khoury: “Even though Leah is listed as born in Derdghaya, I am assuming her parents were from a nearby village called Neffakhiye. A lot of families intermarried from both villages. In Derdghaya there is no families from Rassey name.”
        • Fa: Louie Joseph (Rassey)
        • Ma: Lamia Farhat
    • Ma: Sylvia J Awad (b. 11 Oct 1922 also lists 1923, and 1924 in St Louis MO, USA; d. 30 Mar 2007 in Flint MI, USA)
    • Bro: Charles N Awad (b. abt 1926)
    • Sis: Helen R Farage (b. abt 1922)
    • Sis: Ophelia M Polovina (b. abt)
    • Bro: Anthony Awad b. abt 1925)
      • Fa: Niam E Awad (b. 18 Feb 1891 in Broumana, Syrian Arab Republic; d. 15 Oct 1976 in Flint MI, USA)
      • Ma: Sallie (aka Sally) Mae Moses (b. 25 Nov 1899 in Syrian Arab Republic; d. 03 Jan 2000 in Flint MI, USA)
  • Ma: Mia Maria Salem (b. 16 Apr 1951 in Flint MI, USA; d. 16 Apr 1998 in Flint MI, USA)
  • Bro: Matthew Salem (d. 1967)

    • Fa: James L Salem (b. 19 Mar 1907; d. 03 Dec 1997 in Flint MI, USA)
      • Fa: William Salem
      • Ma: Eva Salem
    • Ma: Elizabeth M Williams (b. 21 Sep 1918; d. 16 Feb 2004 in Flint MI, USA)
      • Fa: Norman Williams
      • Ma: Rose Williams

 

8. Hanna Zarka & Mariam Zarka (1865 – )

  1. Toufic Zarka
  2. Salem Zarka
  3. Geryas Zarka
  • 1. Toufic Zarka (1889 – 1983) & Amira Al Hurr (1897 – 1999)
    • Rahija Zarka (1925 – )
    • Nazir Zarka (1928 – 1997) & Shirley Salim
    • Mariam Zarka (1933 – )
    • Mansour Zarka (1935 – 1973)
    • Salwa Zarka (1945 – )
  • Fa: Salim Zerka (b. 5 Jul 1898; d. Aug 1960)
  • Ma: Leah Rassey (abt. 1903 in Syria; arrived in New York from Cherbourg, France 17 Sep 1935; d. 1985)
    • Fa: John Zerka (1926 – )
    • Ma: Sylvia Awad (b. 11 Oct 1922 also lists 1924; d. 30 Mar 2007 in Flint MI, USA)
      • Fa: Joseph Zerka
      • Sp1: Mia Salem

        • Dghtr: Jaime Zerka (b. 11 Jan 1979 in Flint MI, USA)
      • Sp2: Robin Killian
      • Ronald A Zerka (b. 10 Nov 1950 in Flint MI, USA)
        • Dghtr: Danielle Zerka-Abraham
        • Son: Mark Zerka
        • Son: Ronald Zerka
        • Dghtr: Stephanie Zerka
      • John Zerka (b. 10 Nov 1950 in Flint MI, USA)
      • Sandra L Zerka-Ballmer (b. 21 Aug 1952)
      • Joan Zerka-Armbruster
      • Rebecca Zerka-Dolan
    • James Zerka & Georgina Stewart
      • Steve Zerka (1953 – )
    • Alma Zerka (1934 – ) & Ron Albert
    • Louise Zarka & Michael Shaheen
  • 3. Geryas Zarka & Nazira Zarka
    • Fayez Zarka (1927 – ) & Ivonne Atalla (1935 – )
      • George Zarka (1960 – ) & Penny Radke (1965 – )
      • Robert Zarka (1964 – ) & Therese Aoun (1963 – )
        • David Zarka
        • Alese Zarka
        • Anthony Zarka
        • Alainica Zarka
    • Elias Zarka (1929 – 2009) & Hileneh Tadi (1937 – )
      • Violette Zarka (1953 – ) & Said Naffah (1951 – )
      • Joseph Zarka (1955 – ) & Cheryl Fall (1957 – )
        • Mark Zarka
        • Alex Zarka
      • Georges Zarka (1958 – ) & Marilyn…… (1964 – )
        • Jacqueline Zarka (1985 – )
        • Anthony Zarka (1987 – )
        • Gloria Zarka
      • Pierre Zarka (1960 – )
    • Jamil Zarka (1932 – ) & Janet Abi Warda
      • Antoinette Zarka (1959 – ) & Ahmad Ghanem
        • Gladys Ghanem (1987 – )
      • Mary Zarka (1960 – ) & Bechara Zogheib (1957 – )
        • Hicham Zogheib
        • Sandra Zogheib
      • Tony Zarka (1962 – ) & Marilyn……
        • Elio Zarka
        • Jimmy Zarka
        • Cynthia Zarka
      • Bernadette Zarka (1964 – ) & Boulos Nehme Mtanious Badawi (1957 – )
        • Fredrick Badawi (1984 – )
        • Charbel Badawi (1986 – )
        • Pascale Badawi
      • Georges Zarka (1966 – ) & Leila Aalia (1968 – )
        • Rita Zarka
        • Charbel Zarka
    • Zeiden Zarka (1935 – ) & Adli Fofla (1938 – )
      • Chawki Zarka (1962 – ) & Starr Conway (1963 – )
        • Nicolas Zarka
        • Natalia Zarka
        • Angelica Zarka
      • Youssef Zarka (1965 – ) & Najat Nasr (1964 – )
        • Jessica Zarka
        • Johnny Zarka
      • Salim Zarka (1966 – )
      • Lina Zarka (1967 – ) & Mohib Sobhieh (1957 – )
        • Maria Mercedes Sobhieh
        • Roy Sobhieh
      • Mariam Zarka (1970 – ) & Antoine Lahoud (1959 – )
        • Eliane Lahoud (1986 – )
        • Elie Lahoud
      • Dany Zarka (1973 – )
      • George Zarka (1975 – ) & Layla
        • Christina Zarka
    • Aziz Zarka (1937 – ) & Hanane Younis
      • Fadi Zarka (1969 – )
    • Aziz Zarka (1937 – ) & Rosette Saif (1935 – )
      • Rita Zarka & Elie Akiki
        • Charbel Akiki
      • Sylvana Zarka & Hanna Akiki
        • Mark Akiki
        • Ralph Akiki
        • Lea Akiki
    • Azar Zarka (1940 – ) & Elizabeth Szasz
      • Edward Zarka & Kimberly Tobin
        • Rachel Zarka & James Yoo
          • Cecilia Yoo
          • June Yoo
        • Steven Zarka
    • Mikhail Zarka (1943 – ) & Mandy
      • Fred Zarka & Mandie
      • Jaxon Zarka
      • Melissa Zarka
    • Fawzi Zarka (1946 – ) & Eliane Assaf (1952 – )
      • Andre Zarka (1986 – )
      • Denise Zarka
    • Milad Zarka (1951 – ) & Georgette Zarka
      • John Zarka
      • Danny Zarka & Asmahan Hanna
      • Joyce Zarka

 

9. Mhanna Zarka & Milela Ayoub

  1. Saada Zarka
  2. Jamil Zarka
  3. Massaada Zarka
  4. Saliba Zarka
  5. Milad Zarka
  • 1. Saada Zarka (1919 – )
  • 2. Jamil Zarka & Latife Assaad Khalil Zarka
    • Fairouz Zarka (1940 – ) & Elias Khalil Jebran Raad (1930 – )
      • Khalil Raad (1964 – )
      • Lina Raad (1967 – )
      • Nabil Raad 1968 – )
    • Hanneh Zarka & Youssef Geryas Elias Makhoul Khoury (1932 – )
    • Fadi Khoury (1962 – )
    • Danny Khoury (1965 – )
    • Johnny Khoury (1966 – ) & Georgina Elia (1971 – )
        • Mandy Khoury
        • John Khoury
      • Edy Khoury (1969 – )
      • Rima Khoury (1970 – )
    • Rania Khoury (1973 – )
    • Youssef Zarka (1945 – ) & Mary Ghastine (1955 – )
      • Kay Zarka
      • Nelly Zarka
    • William Zarka (1948 – ) & Barbara
      • Jimmy Zarka
    • Maha Zarka (1952 – ) & Elias Geryas Elias Makhoul Khoury (1942 – )
      • Mark Khoury (1973 – ) & Chantal Williams
      • Julie Khoury (1976 – )
    • Natasha Khoury
    • Yvette Zarka (1954 – ) & Imad Raad (1952 – )
      • Rabih Raad (1975 – )
      • Riad Raad (1985 – )
    • Pierre Zarka (1959 – )
    • Jean Zarka (1962 – )
  • 3. Massaada Zarka (1922 – )
  • 4. Saliba Zarka (1938 – ) & Rania Zarka
    • Nicolas Zarka (1956 – ) & Nahida Chalhoub (1962 – )
      • Natalie Zarka (1987 – )
    • Marwane Zarka (1958 – )
    • Leila Zarka (1966 – )
    • Siham Zarka (1967 – )
    • Rima Zarka (1969 – )
    • Rouwayda Zarka (1971 – )
  • 5. Milad Zarka & Souad Mazraani (1951 – )
    • Tony Zarka (1969 – )
    • Gladys Zarka (1973 – )
    • Pascal Zarka (1980 – )
    • Elias Zarka (1987 – )

 

10. Misc.

Boulos Zarka & Zahia Arab
Joseph Zarka (1924 – 2003) in US
Georges Zarka (1927 – )
Georgette Zarka (1930 – )
Adele Zarka (1931 – )

  • Hanna Zarka & Katherine Rahal
    • Ibrahim Zarka & Caroline Abboud (1934 – )
      • Jean Zarka (1957 – ) & Yvonne Najib (1959 – )
        • Alexy Zarka (1985 – )
      • Basil Zarka (1958 – )
      • Catherine Zarka (1961 – )
      • Elie Zarka (1967 – )
    • Victor Zarka (1932 – )
    • Salem Zarka (1937 – )
  • Salim Zarka & Zahia Rizk (50)
    • Olga Zarka (1923 – )
    • Phillip Zarka (1925 – )
    • Rashid Zarka & Nemra Elias Rashid Zarka (1937 – )
      • Salim Zarka (1957 – ) & Juliette Abu Salim (1960 – )
        • Rashid Zarka (1984 – )
      • Elias Zarka (1964 – )
      • Fadi Zarka (1968 – )
      • Georgette Zarka (1970 – )
    • Daoud Zarka (1935 – ) & Mountaha Gebran (1941 – )
      • Fadi Zarka (1961 – )
      • Raymond Zarka (1961 – ) & Anita Haikal (1965 – )
        • Pascal Zarka (1988 – )
      • Raymonda Zarka (1965 – )
      • Nisrine Zarka (1979 – )
  • Jamil Zarka (1901 – 1970) & Leah Rassey (1906 – 1981)
  • here is a document about Leah Rassey “#2″ aka Leah Zerka
  • Leah Zerka (b. 19 Feb 1906; d. Nov 1981)
    • Nellie Zarka (1925 – )
    • Charles Zarka (1927 – )
    • What follows are some mysteries still awaiting the death certificate of James to confirm who is who…
      • In the 1930 US Federal Census [link here], “Salim” also looks like “Jalim” which can be read or said as “James”. But, it’s not! Jamil is the Arabic version of James. In this census, the children listed are Nellie (1926), Charles (1930), and Mary (mother; 1870) with “Bill Boekbrader (Roomer)”. I initially assumed this was Salim Zarka, mainly because of the names “James and Leah” with mother “Mary” which is likely “Mariam” Zarka. I awaited confirmation of this. However, Salim and James/Jamil/Jalim are different people!
      • In the 1920 US Census in Lansing MI, USA [link here], James shows up as an “uncle” to the Williams family.
        • Note: George Williams aka Said Williams
          • Dghtr of George Williams is Sadie Williams
      • There is a brother of James names “Jacob Zarka” with “Roomer, Mary Zarka” listed. Also, it’s important to note the names Nellie Williams (1917) and Charlie Joseph (1890) show up. This may indicate that the “Nellie” indicated in the 1930 census as “Zarka” may not be a Zarka, albeit she may not be the same Nellie mentioned here as there is a 10 year age difference. I will keep checking on this. However, at this point I feel it is safe to assume that Jamil/Jalim Zarka was also referred to as “James” Zarka and Mariam is aka “Mary” and that James had a brother Jacob (1895) [here is Jacob's marriage record]. Interestingly, Jacob’s wife is Mary Rassey has a sister Leah Rassey is married to Salim Zerka (section #8).
      • Still working on this section…

Zerka Oral History

 

THIS IS NOT MY RESEARCH but I’ve put it here to help find out more information on my girlfriend’s family history!

UPDATE: Great news! The researcher who compiled this list has been found and now can get full credit for it! That person is Souheil Khoury who lives in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia; b. 17 Jun 1971. Thank you very much to Souheil for compiling this research and contacting me. I’m looking forward to extending this research with as much help as possible (when time permits). Also, thanks to Ron Zerka (Flint, MI, USA), Jaime’s uncle, who did forward me the info from Souheil.

Extraordinary birth of my village

At about twenty kilometres from the town of Tyr, the old Phoenician city, on small hill with an approximate height of 350 meters, is a village called Derdghaya. Similar to the neighbouring villages, it does not bear an Arabic name, but rather Aramaic or Syriac, the language of the country before the Arab conquerors imposed theirs.

If I am telling you of the origins of this village, it is because it seems to me outside the norms. Barely a hundred years ago, this place was barren from any houses; only some type of huts or rather caves sheltered shepherds. However this is how my grandfather and some old-timers told me about the creation , by my paternal great-great-grandfather, of a village which currently counts 450 inhabitants, not counting the emigrants, many in the United States and in French West African coast.

There was once a young man and his old mother. – It is necessary for me well to start thus, since all the Arab stories which are told around the fireplace during the evenings of winter start with this stereotyped formula: there were a woman and a man… – The young man was called Boulos, i.e. Paul. He lived, with his mother, in a corner of the garden of a rich Druze farmer, in the village of Fourzol, on the slopes of Sannine Mountain. From this vantage point the panoramic view is spread out over the beautiful plain of Bekaa, fertilized by the water of the Litani River. Boulos was charged with the harvest on behalf of his Master, and also the gathering of figs in its time. As it often the case, the Master was demanding and not very generous; and Boulos tried to be compensated for the injustices of the Druze. All of this caused ceaseless criticism, especially because of a beautiful fig tree of which he should have left all the fruits to his “lord and Master”.
This life started to weigh on him. Boulos, who was an intelligent boy, in love with independence and, at the same time, equipped with an extraordinary physical force, decided to finish once and for all with his Master and his constraints. And thus early one morning, he awakes his old mother, puts all that he had in a pouch, the pouch on his donkey, and his mother on top of the beast; then ahead! … He went down in the plain and moved towards the south. After one hour of walk, he lets his mother carry on all alone her way, saying that he had still some unfinished business…

Boulos traced back his steps going back to the garden, climbs on the fig tree and starts to gather and throw to the ground ripe as well as green figs… As he had envisaged and wished for, his Druze Master runs out and, full with fury, launches a stream of abuse (of which the Arab language has a particular rich repertory ), traitor of a dog, of a pig… and I mention only the softest terms! The Master ordered Boulos to get down from the tree to receive a beating, a right punishment of a robber caught in red-handed.

Much to his Master’s surprise , Boulos threw himself at him like a leopard, from the top of fig tree, and disarmed him from his stick and proceeded to throw as many blows at his Master’s coiled body as the already scattered figs… Boulos was satisfied when he saw the farmer collapsing unconsciously at his feet. Then, prudently – as there were other servants in the house – he left the garden and the village and joined his mother in the south of Bekaa and launches out in the unknown…

After several days of walking, he arrived to Akka (Saint-John of Acres). Not finding in Acres any work, he left it heading for a nearby village, Safad el Aly. He does not remain there for a long time, as the following occurred to him.

One day whilst he was working in the foundations of a house, with around five or six other “metwalis” workmen (Muslim Shiites), a blow from his pickaxe unearthed a small earthenware jar with some unimportant aspect. He does not pay attention to it; neither did any of his companions. But as it obstructed him in his work, he gave it another blow with his pickaxe; it broke and revealed its content spread in the dirt: lots of money and gold coins, which would have made him a fortune had he been able to control his nerves and carry the jar secretly to his house. He bent down to collect his treasure, when the other workmen, holding up their pickaxes, threaten to kill him at once if he dared touch any piece…

Full of rage, he gives up his work at once, returns to the house, put all his possessions on his donkey and leaves the village: “Destiny is hounding me, he said, I do not have a luck in this country. ”

Two days of walk towards the north, he arrived to the village of Tibnine, at the bottom of an ancient strong castle built by the Crusaders. How long he remained there, no one knows. One can however guess that he remained in Tibnine long enough to marry there, to build a small house there (still standing and currently inhabited by a metwali of the country), and to also learn how to read and to write suitably, and to even initiate himself with the magic art which is practiced still at present time in many villages of the area of Tyr.

Always it is a day, and for some unknown reasons, he leaves Tibnine carrying with him his black books, and comes to be settled on a deserted hill named Derdghaya, close to two other hills: Boudaï in the east, and Broukhaï in the west.

He built his house there, a vast and single storey dwelling, in the middle of which two arcades support the roof made of tree trunks covered with a line of reeds, a carpet of papyrus and a layer of clay. On the left of the arcades, an area corresponding to a “studio” of the modern houses, with, in the north-western corner, a chimney in the shape of a nose; with also, in the North-South partition under one of the arcades, an alcove out of clay and straw to arrange mattress and covers, and, for the provisions, several containers, out of ground also, having the form of parallelepipeds and provided with a broad rectangular opening at the top and with a small round opening at the bottom closed with a rag which one removes to receive the corn, the lenses, the chick-peas, broad beans… On the right of arcades and on the level of the threshold of the door, the cattle shed, where the animals spend the night; and a little to the front, the reserve of barley, hay and straw; above the cattle shed, a type of an attic, but without special walls nor partitions, which one reaches through a wooden staircase and where one can spend the night when there is no more room in the “studio”. The sun enters through three windows: a small one in the wall closest to the attic, an average one in the west, and a large double window finally in the south. The door, in the southern wall, opens to a small court surrounded by walls raised enough and which one reaches from the outside by a large gate that can let pass a camel with his burden. Thus one is safer from armed robbery. A detail also to be noted in the interior architecture of the house: the “studio” is with approximately one meter above level of the cattle shed, and one reaches it by three or four steps after the door. There are several reasons for that: first is that one should not sleep on the same level as the animals; second is of prudence, because if, by chance, you open the door with an unknown night visitor to you, you have on him an advantageous position in the event of attack! …

It is thus there that Boulos settles with his family, in the first house of what will become the village of Deïrdghaïa. He had only one boy, Khalil, and several girls. That will not prevent it from creating his village. Here is how the things occurred. Initially people of the neighbouring villages were astonished by the audacity of this peasant who did not have fears to live in a solitary house, near his fields – become his fields due to the fact that they did not belong to anybody and that he had been cultivating them -. Because it should be said that during that era people did not own much land because of taxes. So much so that, when later the Turkish officer came, in the name of the Wali (ruler), to collect the taxes, village people did not find better than to register one the third of the land in the name of a shepherd, a lone Metwalî (Shiaa) among them! …

The astonishment generated curiosity. Curiosity generated the desire to go to the site to see what it is happening. Thus people from time to time came to see the place of daring Boulos, who was gracious and hospital. Gradually, familiarity helping, the visits became more frequent. And it was the long winter nights that people often came to spend some time with the magician; because he was already well known as a wizard. Boulos did not fail to use his talents to delight the company. He showed them some of his tricks, such as that of the jugs that he made to waltz in the air in the middle of the room.

Sometimes also he played to them of good turns. For example would say to them – in February or in March – that he was going at once to offer them each a bunch of grapes.

 

  • - Not possible. It has been a while that the summer passed!
  • - Well! Hold. Approach all to the chimney and see.

He then took dry vine shoots which were set to the side to maintain fire. Then he spread out ash in front of the chimney, pricking the vine shoots and muttering some unintelligible words, and all of a sudden – o wonder! – Vine shoots started to grow, covered with leaves, and then of beautiful appetizing bunches …

And Boulos: – You see the beautiful bunches. Well! Now draw each one your knife and apply the blade to the stem of a bunch; but do not cut before I tell you so.

All carried out the instructions, holding a bunch with the left hand, and lining their knives, ready to cross. Boulos again mutters some magical words and says to them: “Go ahead!” But – holly..! – Each one was holding the beard of his neighbour, ready to cut it! …

Or he told them his adventures with the devil, and the time he had learned the power of the sign of the cross before even becoming a magician. One evening he said to them, I returned from a distant travel. I had walked all the day; I was hungry and I pressed my steps to arrive at my house which was getting closer as the night was already quite black. I thus walked on when I saw a brilliant light on my left, not far from the path. I approached. It was a cave which I knew well as I have seen it so many times before. Laughter, songs and a smell of good food emanated from the cave. I got closer to the cave, remaining in the darkness to observe more quietly without being seen. Suddenly I see two men leaving the cave, looking in my direction, advancing a little and shouting at me: “Hey! Abou Khalil (Father of the first-born male)! What don’t you come in to feast with us? Come in, you will eat good mechwî (pieces of meat threaded with onions in an iron skewer and cooked on a coal fire), and you will drink good arak (alcohol having in more the taste of anise). Then you will sing us something…

Before I had time to answer, they were already beside me pushing me towards the cave. I entered there but not without some apprehension. Robbers, I said to myself; but why these uncommon songs and this laughter among robbers especially on the edge of the pathway? … I snuck my head to try to identify those unknown men and to figure out why they were having this night festival in this particular cave… lost cause. However, something in their appearances, their too brilliant glances, in their too nervous laughter, caused me to assume that in fact demons tightened me there in a trap. However they were dealing with me, serving me “Mechlin” in a plate much as macaw and inviting me to eat. To save time, I feigned tiredness, saying that I wanted initially to have some fresh air. Then I pretended to search on the ground something which would have fallen from my pocket. I took two small pieces of straw; then, benefitting from one moment of carelessness on the part of my hosts, I slipped them in the shape of cross under my plate.

Then they insisted that I sing them something. Then, not finding more pretext to refuse, also wanting to check my assumption, I took a risk and started singing in a strong voice, at the same time as I traced a sign of cross on the tambourine that they had put to me in the hands: “Brims sahib wassulbâneh, touttrod ichchîtân wachchîtâneh!” (In the name of the cross that the demons escape). As soon as I sung my verse the cave went into total darkness and the sound of a terrifying crash came from the tables which are reversed, as the dishes were broken. There was a sudden panic… Then lugubrious silence…
I stroked my lighter (flint which one strikes a piece of iron, the spark ignites a small black of rag locked up in a tinplate box). And I see myself holding in the hand, instead of the beautiful tambourine, a much rusted pan. In front of me, the plate filled of mechwi had become… an old shoe filled with droppings! …
Abou Khalil was popular and influential; he became rich, making great harvests. Good reputable men came to ask him for his daughters in marriage. He put only one condition for his consent: that his future son-in-laws came to be established all beside him in a house beside his, that he would help them to build. Thus gradually the village of Deïrdghaïa was created.

When the inhabitants had become numerous, they wanted to have their priest. They found the bishop of Tyr and asked him to confer the sacramental ordination on Boulos, who, though always keeping his black books, stopped practicing his magic. The bishop did not oppose it, provided that Boulos burned his books. And thus before the ceremony, one lit the “tannour” (big furnace), a kind of a hole dug out of ground at the bottom of which one lights a fire out of straw and on its walls bread is cooked. Boulos took his books and threw them in fire. Thrice the books survived unscathed from the fire. Finally he traced the sign of the cross on the books and threw them in the “tannour” where the fire devoured them.

Thus Boulos, who had founded the village, became its first priest.

Richard Khoury (alias Paul Khoury) / Strasbourg 1954