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Beginning Research in the Middle East

© Christine Sievers

There have been various influxes of immigration from the mid-East. Because of the political upheavel in recent years, many have immigrated in the last decades of the 20th century. As genealogy researchers it is important to start gathering information from living relatives. For those of you whose relatives have recently immigrated it is even more important to gather information from them while they are still alive.

As you are well aware, the Mid-East area is a war-torn area, not at all advantagous to genealogical research. But, the internet can become a tool to connect with others. It is through the sharing of stories that we can piece together the lives of our ancestors. If we are blocked in our ability to gain paperwork documentation, we can turn our research into gaining a knowledge of the experiences of others who led lives similar to our unknown ancestors.

Again, the following are good places to start your online research. These provide an opportunity to learn more about the land of your ancestors. Mailing lists and message boards help us connect with those whose ancestors shared similar experiences as our ancestors. And with luck, you may find lost cousins who can fill in missing links. As you get deeper into your research, you will pick up many more sites.

BAHRAIN

BahrainGenWeb Queries

ArabNet--Bahrain, Contents

IRAN

IranGenWeb Project - an excellent place to start, giving basic background information on Iran, surname boards, and mailing lists.

CyberIran History - a very comprehensive history

Islamic History Sourcebook: S.G.W. Benjamin: Life in Persia, 1885 - interesting reading

Islamic History Sourcebook: Charles James Wills: A Persian Wedding, 1885 - more interesting reading

Forgotten Polish Exodus to Persia - more clues to trace your ancestors

IRAQ

IraqGenWeb Query Board

Iraq History and Culture from Noah to Present

ArabNet--Iraq, Contents

ISRAEL

Israel GenWeb Project-Genealogy for the State of Israel - a well developed site, everything you need to get you started

JORDAN:

Jordan GenWeb Query Board

ArabNet--Jordan, Contents

KUWAIT

Kuwait Queries and Surnames

ArabNet--Kuwait, Contents

LEBANON

Lebanon Genealogy Web Project - another GenWeb project, provides good links

ArabNet--Lebanon, History

Researching Your Lebanese or Syrian Ancestry - Concentrates on the earlier immigration of Christian Arabs in the 1870's.

OMAN

Oman Queries and Surnames

ArabNet--Oman, Contents

PALESTINE:

Palestine Queries and Surnames

ArabNet--Palestine, Contents

QATAR

Qatar Queries and Surnames

ArabNet--Qatar, Contents

SAUDI ARABIA

Welcome To The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia GenWeb - a good place to start, link to short history of Saudi Arabia

Mailing Lists: Genealogy Resources on the Internet-Saudi Arabia Mailing Lists