Elias - My side ....
Hello,
As far as I know my paternal family ancestors (Great grand father, great granmothter and three children, 2 boys and 1 girl)left Lebanon around 1923 and went to a country named Suriname (south America). They established themselves there in a district (no cities or states) named "Nickerie".
Their children had children (establishing first generation Elias' in Suriname) one of which was my father. Not many from my generation remain in Suriname. Many have left for the Nederlands and the US.
We're still trying to get the family tree together....
As soon as we have all the facts we will be able to post more concrete information about the Elias name...at least the Lebanese part.
Regards,
Alex.