Safita is a very small town. It had only few thousands at the turn of the century. Originally 98% were Christians of the Syrian (Greek) faith. Most of the families who lived on the eastern part of the town were closely related and originally were from somewhere in Europe. They came to Safita around 1704, reason is unknown. Others followed at later time.
One of four brothers is Deeb. Deeb had four boys: Hanna, David, Boulos (Paul), and Salloum (May be Saleem or Soliman).
Hanna's children, Georges and Abraham, migrated to Lebanon. No more information available.
David (Dahoud as the name in Safita)'s branch of the family is still living in Safita at this time.
Boulos had three boys: Michael, Khalil and Abraham (Ibraheem), and three daughters: Mariam (Mary), Najemeh (Star), and a third daughter. The whole family immigrated to Pennsylvania at various times. No information available about them since they left. One of the girls may be she was handicapped.
Salloum had four boys: Shihda, Dayoub (Deeb), Tannous (from Antounious, Anthony) and Abraham (Ibraheem).
Abraham was married twice. First wife died from burning. He had a daughter: Susan from the second wife, and a boy: Semaan. Abraham and his children, or the children alone, moved to Pennsylvania. Susan was married to a Lobbos who are from Safita and lived in Pennsylvania. She was named Susan Lolo rather than Deeb or Bou Deeb because she was nicknamed after her grandmother Loulou.
Tannous had many children one of them was Shihda. Shihda had many children one of them is Mounir (Mike) Abou Deeb lives in Chicago.
This information is from hand written pages from the sixties. They were written by Shihda Abou Deeb (Mounir's father) many years ago.
The fourth Safita Reunion will take place the weekend of August 18th 2000. The reunion will be in Oak Brook, Illinois. West of Chicago. If you are interested I could add your name to the mailing list. Letters about the upcoming reunion will be mailed soon.
Antoun Koht
10661 Valley Court
Orland Park, IL. 60462
708-873-3096
