Michel and Georges Saykali Letters
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Biographical/historical note
Michel Saykali grew up in Beirut, Lebanon and had multiple sisters named Victoria, Shafika, and Zekie along with a brother, Georges. Georges Saykali married a woman named Slawa in Beirut and had multiple children, including a son named Joe. Michel Saykali immigrated to Colombia circa 1920, while his family remained in Lebanon. While in Colombia, Michel became an entrepreneur. Throughout his time in South America he opened multiple businesses with different partners and traveled throughout the continent. The remainder of his family stayed in Lebanon where they continued to work. Michel Saykali would frequently send money in his letters to his family in Lebanon and would express the desire to return to his homeland.
In 1957, Joe Saykali, Georges’s son, joined Michel in Cucuta and began to work with him. Two years later in 1959, Joe returned to Lebanon and continued various work. Michel did not return to Lebanon until 1962, but then quickly returned to Colombia after attending Joe Saykali’s wedding.
Scope/content note
The collection consists of over four hundred Saykali family written letters, radiograms, and telegrams, mainly between Michel and Georges. From 1912 to 1969, they discuss various topics such as work and family affairs, economic and political events, as well as immigration and travel.
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Collection Tree
This collection is a part of a larger collection that has been divided into more specific collections.