Levantine traces in Kemer mahalle, Izmir

Situated in the unlikely location of Upper Kemer (Kestelli), Izmir, this fountain tap in one of the side streets is no longer working, blocked by city officials around 20 years ago according to the local residents. The frontage is missing, however the name Joseph Dalmas and Co. can clearly be read, however, this might refer to the makers in Marseille. The Dalmas name certainly existed in the nineteenth century both in Izmir and Istanbul (example book ref.), and references in books suggest family members were involved in the water distribution business. The church records as examined by a recent book, Levantins, reveal the Damas name (as witnesses to marriages of other Levantines) was around in Galata/Pera from at least 1790 to 1914. However there is no guarantee the family in Istanbul were related to Joseph Dalmas, but it is noteworthy that according to the recently published book, ‘Kemeraltı’nın İzmiri’ by Hakan Kazım Taşkıran: ‘it is interesting that the date on this fountain coincides with the date that the Belgian run Compagnie des Eaux began supplying water to the city’. Therefore this may be part of the old infrastructure of the water company in which this family may have had a controlling stake, or an independant act by a local merchant for charity. Joseph Dalmas may be the person mentioned as the father of this marriage mentioned in this genealogical site, daughter married to the Chios origin family; he would have been around 70-80 years of age in the year mentioned on the fountain, possibly giving his name to the company ran by his sons - investigations are continuing.