Zharta-Zawie Online Magazine

The town of Zgharta is the administrative center of the district. It is inhabited by nearly 25000 people (an estimation due to lack of official data). Too many “Zghortiotes” are located in Kfarhata, Mejdlaya and Kfardlakous which are today the suburbs of Zgharta, not to mention those living in the capital Beyrouth (and surroundings) and last, thousands spread all over the world mainly in USA, Australia, Venezuela, Brasil, Mexico…

In 1849, Zgharta counted 2166 persons living in 250 houses with an average of 8.66 person per family. In 1906 it counted 4040 persons. In 1921, according to the first census done during the French Mendate, the number of Zghortiotes (the ones Whose origin is from Zgharta) was 4750 inhabitants in Lebanon and 2147 abroad (emigration), the total was 6897 registered.

In 1932, year of the second census, the number of Zghortiotes increased by 37% in one decade to become 9470 registered: 5800 were in Lebanon and 3670 spread all over the world. There were 1131 houses in Zgharta according to this census which means that the average family was composed of 8.37 persons. We have to mention that out of the 4328 houses in the Caza (district) 1131 houses were in the town of Zgharta (26%).

In 1998, the number of registered was 27214 persons, nearly 3 times that of 1932. This number was supposed to increase by much more than that, but what happened was because of those “Zghortiotes” who emigrated by the beginning of the 20^th century to the 1940ies and who mostly of them did not return back home nor did they register their descendants through Lebanese embassies abroad. Hundreds of citizens records did not show any sign of activity since the 30ies or 40ies. No newborns were mentioned nor any marriages.

The majority of the “Zghortiotes” spend the summer in Ehden, the most beautiful summer resort in Lebanon and a town inhabited nearly 4 months a year. Ehden existed long before Zgharta and these two cities have the same inhabitants, one history, one municipality, one heritage…

The town of Zgharta was divided into 5 sectors in 1932: Saydeh Sharki (the sector to the east side of Notre-Dame of Zgharta churh), Saydeh Gherbi (west of the Churh), Slayeb Shemali (northern side of the crossroads), Slayeb Janoubi (southern side of the crossroads) and Maaser. To be a citizen of Zgharta, you have to be registered in one of these five sectors.

Number of citizens registered in 1998
sectors	Saydeh Sharki	4675
	Saydeh Gharbi	4334
	Slayeb Shimali	4663
	Slayeb Janoubi	5802
	Maaser	7740
Zgharta	Total	27214

Of the 27214 registered, around 9800 people live or work abroad (out of Lebanon). Many visit Zgharta or Ehden every year or once every two years, others work abroad leaving their families in Lebanon… but many early emigrants did not report since the date they went away and 2340 of them, born after 1898, still have their names on the official records.

The names of these early emigrants are available in lists with the official record number and according to the sector they were initially living in. To view these lists refer to "Zgharta Emigration" page.

The first sector in the town of Zgharta is called “east side of the Notre Dame Church”. 4675 persons were officially registered in 1998. In this sector no new proclaimed citizen have ever been registered. 35% of the registered in Saydeh Gharbi are emigrants but 459 of these emigrants, born after 1898, have cut their relations with homeland (they did not report any marriage, birth, death…) and that have their names still in the official records.

The smallest sector in the town of Zgharta is called “west side of the Notre Dame Church”. 4334 persons were officially registered in 1998. 35% of the registered in Saydeh Gharbi are emigrants but 290 of these emigrants, born after 1898, have cut their relations with homeland (they did not report any marriage, birth, death…) and that have their names still in the official records.

The third sector in the town of Zgharta is called “north side of the crossroad”. 4663 persons were officially registered in 1998. 35% of the registered in Slayeb Chimali are emigrants but 418 of these emigrants (more than 9% of the registered), born after 1898, have cut their relations with homeland (they did not report any marriage, birth, death…) and that have their names still in the official records.

The second largest sector in the town of Zgharta is called “south of the crossroads”. 5802 persons were officially registered in 1998. 30% of the registered in Slayeb Janoubi are emigrants but 549 of these emigrants, born after 1898, have cut their relations with homeland (they did not report any marriage, birth, death…) and that have their names still in the official records.

The largest sector in the town of Zgharta is called Maaser according to the many olive oil processing plants that once used to exist. 7740 persons were officially registered in 1998. 35% of the registered in Maaser are emigrants but 714 of these emigrants (more than 9% of the registered), born after 1898, have cut their relations with homeland (they did not report any marriage, birth, death…) and that have their names still in the official records.

We welcome any information about those emigrants or the name in which they are known today.