Jacques Aliman was born in Smyrna in 1888. At some point, he relocated to Cairo. He left Cairo and settled in Brussels in 1912, where he married a woman named Louise, a native of the city who had Spanish nationality. He returned to England with his new wife in 1914. Around 1917, he was interned as an enemy alien on the Isle of Man. When he was released, he worked in the Empire Exhibition in Webley. In the 1921 England census, Aliman is listed as of Spanish nationality and as a manager of Durands Limited, General Merchants, Importers and Explorers, in London. This firm exported cottons, woolens and textiles and imported toys, fancy goods, and hardware. The couple had four children: Albert, born in Brussels and of Spanish nationality; and Marthe, Eugene, and Reina, all born in London and of Spanish nationality. Also living with the family was a British-born servant named Lydia Ruel.

            In 1924, Aliman entered the Persian rug business. Two years later, he traveled to Philadelphia for the World Exhibition. Other members of London’s Sephardi community went as well, including Sam Behar. When the Exhibition ended, Jacques attended the Annual Trade Fair in Toronto, concentrating on Persian rugs and carpets. After initial success, he decided to settle there and open an Oriental carpet showroom. After a few months, he brought over his family from England. Although still an Ottoman (his declaration of Spanish nationality was either strategic or a misunderstanding of Spanish protégé status), he joined the French Chamber of Commerce, becoming “a very popular member.” He eventually became “a leading authority” on Oriental carpets and rugs in Canada.[1]

[1] Alfred A. Zara, As if it were Yesterday: A Book of Recollections (Portslade, Brighton: self-published, 1985), 17-18; TNAUK, naturalization file of Robert Joseph Zara, HO 405/63742.