My
grandfather, Andreas Chalkiopoulos, was a mechanic in Alexandria
from about 1908 until his death in 1936.
Before
I ask some questions, I would like to present some facts about my grandfather:
1. His name was
Andreas
Chalkiopoulos (also transliterated in Greek as Khalkiopolis,
Halkiopoulos):
2. His nationality
was Greek.
3. His home, as far
as I know, was exclusively in Alexandria between about 1907
and 1936.
4. He had a friendly
relationship with the Englishman, Thomas Cook, Jr., owner of the
famous touring company by the same name.
5. He came from a
school in Europe (France or Belgium?) possibly as
a civil engineer to build bridges in Egypt.
6. He was thought
to be one of the first people to assemble a Ford motor car in Egypt
(or at least in Alexandria?)
7. He was later
a personal mechanic and driver for a pasha in Alexandria.
8. It is thought
that the first employer of Andreas was Turkish. |
Iam
hoping that someone reading this might be able to help me clarify the history
of my grandfather's work, as well as the history and economic climate of
Egypt during this interesting period. Perhaps you can help me to answer
the following questions:
1. Are there
records of any organizations or businesses that would list my grandfather's
name and describe more fully what he did? Where would I write for information
about them?
2. Is it possible
to find out which Egyptian Pasha employed my grandfather in the
1920's
or 1930's?
3. Can you
provide me with more details about the introduction of the Ford motor car
in Alexandria, Cairo or Egypt in general?
4. Did these
Ford motor cars come in kits to be assembled?
5. What companies
or organizations in Cairo and Alexandria assembled these
Ford motor cars?
6. Would you
know the name of any Turkish companies that might have recruited
my grandfather for work in approximately 1907, either to build bridges
or to build motor cars?
7. Can you
clarify and provide more details about the Thomas Cook Touring Company
before World War I.
8. What institutions
in Europe provided Egypt with engineers and mechanics during
the first decade of the 20th century?
9. From what
other experts might I find help for answers to these questions? |
Ido
not wish to be overwhelming, but I am seriously curious about finding out
this information. I admire the history of my family in Egypt. We
are indebted to Egypt for providing my family with a culturally
rich and interesting beginning and many fond memories, something not so
possible from their own country at the time, unfortunately. My family
has always had a special love for Egypt and its people for this
reason, so I wish to celebrate our feelings toward Egypt by publishing
a book. I would be glad to give you credit for what ever information that
you can help me to find. I sincerely hope to hear from you.
Salaam.
Andrew Jendrzejewski
[email protected]
404
North Fifth Street
Vincennes,
IN 47591 USA
|