By Margaret Clapham of Buderim, Queensland.

This is Margaret Chapman’s first book. Her extensive research into the life journey of the Misto and Domainy families has shed light on a little known group of 19th century immigrants from Syria who became the suppliers of drapery and household goods to Australian outback towns; the hawkers who jolted their way along the tracks on horse drawn carts to sell their wares from door to door. The two families were to become the first drapery merchants in Queensland country towns, and much loved and respected business owners in Central Queensland.

In 2021 this book was an entry in the Alexander Henderson Award in 2021. In their Family Connections journal, “The Genealogist”, the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies Inc, published the judges comments on “The Syrians Are Coming”, which is now available through their resources centre in Blackburn Victoria, Australia.

The judges commented;

“An interesting story of Syrian immigrants in the nineteenth century emigrating to Australia, mainly written from the reminiscences of the author’s grandmother. The family became store owners in outback Queensland. This book is a valuable contribution to the history of emigrants from Syria in Australia.”

The Genealogist, Edition 4 2022, Family History Connections, Blackburn, Victoria

“The Syrians Are Coming!” leads you through five generations of the Misto family, whose fortunes are interwoven with some of Australia’s iconic moments in history. For those who think of Lebanese immigration as a post 1945 movement, the Misto story brings a new perspective to the contribution of these hard working “New Australians” to the development of modern Australia.

The story of the Mistos is interwoven with some of Australia’s iconic moments in history. For those who think of Syrian/Lebanese immigration as a post 1945 movement, the Misto story brings a new perspective to the contribution these hard working “New Australians” made to the development of modern Australia.