Farajallah Sarwayian  1894-1965 – Fargo Charles Serway as we know him; Born in Mardin, Turkey

    His father was Armenian Girgiss (George) and his mother’s name was Soofa (Sophie) Soofa died quite young and his father re married .  Faraj had one sister and six brothers and many many stepbrothers and sisters. Girgiss was a cobbler by trade.  The family possessed musical talents and were popular in the community. However, times were tough, Faraj chose to leave at age 12 and lived in the streets of Cairo Egypt a 500 mile journey where he shined shoes and wove rugs and served as a tourist guide for those wishing to explore the pyramids. Imagine no educational opportunities, but what an education he must have gotten. He traveled and learned many languages as a result and at the age of 18 had enough saved to set sail on a ship to NY, registered as Fargo Serway.  Read more of his interests and adventures in Uncle Rays book. Recently Uncle Ray has found more more accurate information regarding his arrival to United States. A Fargalla Saroyan passed through Ellis Island on October 20, 1913. Passenger records and copies of transcripts have been shared with us by family and can be seen in my history file.

Ameena Karouf (Emily) Karouf (which means sheep), was Born in Mardin, Turkey to Henna and Habo (John and Virginia). Her Grandparents were Fareeda Anton and Said Anton. AMEENA {Emily) parents were Syrian but spoke Arabic and she was raised Eastern Catholic. She was blue eyed fair skinned and left orphaned very young and raised by her Grandmother, Sitto, Mama Fareeda She had an older sister Fecto and two brothers, George and Louis

Do you see where all the names of our aunts and uncles came from?

Grandma and Grandpa came to America through Ellis Island. You can see actual copies of what we believe is their documentation. Their stories are incredible.

If you want to learn more about what makes this family so special; see our similarities in our perceptions of life, hear reflections from all of your aunts and uncles, etc, pick up Uncle Ray’s book about our family and read, read, read.

You will also learn a lesson in history, many lessons in fact a history of the Armenians and a history of the Armenian Massacre. The brothers of Grandpa Fargo and many other family and friends lost their lives during that awful massacre.

To our cousins and cousins from generation to generation:

We are a family of deep Christian roots and born into this life for a reason. God spared both Fargo and Emily and gave them good fortune and a will to come to America and have the large family they did. We are from some very strong roots. If we could go beyond the records of their birth it would be fascinating for us.  We can only imagine, as most records are destroyed. However, as you read the stories of what we have been taught, you may recognize your gift as your own personal traits emerge in the stories. Enjoy, write and share your thoughts with one another. Together we can make memories for our children and their children for years to come.

                                Cousin Connie 09