My name is Christy Shalita-Hooper and I am researching my family history. Just recently, I have discovered my great-grandfather's original surname: Shimoon and found that he and his family are Assyrian Christians.

This was Benjamin Shimoon(Simon), born Sept. 1, 1881 in Urmia, Persia (later known as Benjamin Shalitta in the U.S.),
he emigrated from there and arrived at NY in Oct 1909, through Hamburg, Germany, and lived at 1124 Nevada Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Benjamin Shimmon had a brother Abraham Shimmon in Philadelphia, PA. In 1912 known as Benjamin Simon occupation, Carpet maker. In 1915 Benjamin Simon a.k.a. Benjamin Schalyta filed a petition for Naturalization.

I have been told that Benjamin's daughter Nancy and her husband Elisha Eddy spent much time in the Turlock, CA. community -- perhaps someone there will know of them. My father Ronald Shalita was born there.

1. SIMON married to MARTHA [birth places/dates unknown], their 4 children are:

• a. DAVID
• b. ABRAHAM
• c. MARIUM
• d. BENJAMIN, born 09-01-1881 married to ANNA PERAH, their 4 children are:
• 1. NANJAN ("Nancy") born 10-18-1903, married to ELISHA EDDY, had one child.
• 2. JOSEPH born 1-06-1905 [this is my grandfather] married to Alice M. Adshead
• a. their child is RONALD HOWARD SHALITA (my father- name spelling was changed by Joseph
  was in the entertainment business).
• 3. VICTORIA born 3-04-1907 married James McCullough (had 2 children)
• 4. SHMOEL ("Samuel") born 6-04-1910 (had 2 children ?)

Nana's (Nancy's) Journey describes that she along with her mother and siblings left persia to the U.S. through Hamadan and then to Kermanshaw then to Baghdad, took a train to the Persian Gulf & boarded ship to India, then by ship to France & arrived in the U.S. [NY] in 1921.

Nancy Shalitta Eddy and her husband were quite active in their religion and they resided in Newport Beach California for many years and spent time (maybe lived in) Turlock, probably in the 1940's- 50's .

If you think you have any information that could lead me to locate my family, please send that information by email to the locator. locator@edessa.com

Thank you,

Christy Shalita-Hooper