Shaheen Mansour Bourjaily was born in Lebanon, Kteleh in 1878 and died in Detroit Michigan { USA } in 1953. He married Julia who's maiden name was Julia Saad. They had three daughters born in Lebanon, Mary, Nazerra, and Esma. Their ages were 10, 8, and 5 respectively.
Shaheen came to the United States in 1911 via Reo de Janerio. He was a shoemaker by trade. His passport gives his name as Obtoman Chahin mansour Assaf. He came to the States without his family in search of work and to earn enough money to bring the rest of the family with him. World War 1 broke out, and he was prevented from bringing his family over.
In the mean time, during the war, the Turks who were occupying Lebanon adopted a severe policy of acquisition by which all foodstuffs were prioritized for the Ottoman soldiers engaged in the war. This lead to the Great Famine of Mount Lebanon that lead to the death of half of the population. Julia was fell ill and took the girls to a convent in the mountains to secure their safety but when she went back to get them, she was told they were taken by the turkish soldiers. She never found them.
Shaheen was finally allowed to bring Julia to the United states in 1920.
They lived in Detroit, Michigan, where they gave birth to Frederick and Ferris.