GEORGE TOWN, April 28 -- More than 220 years ago, Armenian traders and merchants landed in Penang, creating a trading link between India, Singapore and Penang.

One of the earliest records of the Armenians settling down in Penang is a house title deed dated 1801 with the name "The Armenian House" referring to a house at the junction of Beach Street and Armenian Street.

This piece of information can be found in a book titled The Armenians of Penang by Nadia Wright.

It is believed the road where the house was located was subsequently named Armenian Lane, as noted in an old map dated 1807.

According to Wright, most of the Armenians in Penang came from Persia as early as 1800 with others from India, right after the British "acquired" Penan...