Armenian News Network / Groong

 


We Survived: We Are Alive, Well and Undaunted by Turkish Terror.  BUT We Will Never Forget. Armenian Immigrants Rebuilding their Lives in America

A Scroll Photograph Taken on 16 August 1931 by K.S. Melikian at a Picnic for Körpetsis and Friends Shows Armenians Who Have Gotten on with their Lives

 

Armenian News Network / Groong

April 25, 2016


Special to Groong by Abraham D. Krikorian and Eugene L. Taylor

LONG ISLAND, NY

 

We have made a point of emphasizing the great value of the K.S. Melikian Collection recently deposited in the Library of Congress Prints and Photograph Division.  While many photographs go back as far as the Old Country in Eastern Asia Minor, others deal with the recovery of the Armenian communities that had been so devastated in the “Erghir” (the Land, the Earth) in Turkey as a result of the Turkish genocide against the Armenians.  By actual count, some 85% of the Körpetsis, people from Körpe village, lost their lives (see Badmuhtiuhnuh Keorpe Kiughuh - The History of Keorpe Village [1]

 

The decision was made in 1931 to have a gathering to celebrate what amounted to their resurgence as a people.  Panoramic photography, also known as circuit photography or yards long photography, began gaining popularity in the early 1900's.  Using a camera loaded with a large format film, it allowed the photographer to take pictures up to 20 feet long and at a 360 degree point of view.  The flexibility offered by this photographic procedure made it the ideal way to take photographs of rather large groups.  Mr. Melikian took some of these. 

 

The ‘Scroll” picture here derives from a copy given to ADK by a cousin residing in Lowell, Queena Boyajian.  It was ironed as flat as could be sandwiched between sheets of high quality Paris Bleed Proof art paper.  It turned out that the scroll could be sectioned into ten parts for scanning on a flat bed scanner.  These had sufficient overlap so that no one was cropped out.  Some crops were made so as to allow family groups to remain in close proximity as the photograph allowed.

 

Efforts were made to number those in the photograph.  A spread sheet was generated and circulated along with prints of the sections to several people who agreed to attempt identifications.  This was done at a time when nearly all the adults in the photograph had passed away.  Some of those who were kids in the photograph, now mature and long grown-up, did their best to affix names to the numbers.  In some cases, by no means complete, in the “Married to” column the names of children may be given.  (There are opportunities for others to make connections.  It will be easy, and should present no real challenge.  Those claiming interest in genealogy can do this little bit.)  It needs to be stated that the men in this photograph were for the most part, already in America when the genocide began.  Some had come over as bachelors.  Others had left a wife and often a child, with the intention of working and saving enough money to bring them over.  A few even thought they would earn some money and be able to go back ‘home’ and re-start a life.  There are exceptions to these generalizations.  One was ADK father’s first cousin Mesrop Keri (no. 100).  He was taken into the Turkish army, experienced much and eventually ended up in America.  His story is both typical and atypical.  We have a great photograph of him in uniform.

 

Unfortunately, not all the people who came from the village of Körpe are in this photograph.  A few examples follow.  ADK’s parents are not in it since son Garabed (ADK’s brother Charlie, who passed away May 28, 2013) had an earache and they stayed home in Holden, Massachusetts.  Daughters Armenouhie and Anahid, ADK’s older sisters, now 91 and 89, were taken by Hagop Keri [‘Uncle Cousin’] Tashjian and his wife, Nourkhan Kergin [‘Uncle Cousin’s wife’] along with their kids to the gathering (see nos. 143, 144; nos. 136-142).  ADK’s Mother’s Mother’s brother, i.e. Mariam Babajanian Tashjian’s brother Kapriel, her Uncle Kapriel Babajanian of Binghamton, New York who had lost his entire family in the Genocide and never remarried, is not in the photograph.  ADK’s father, and Mesrop Karee no. 100 and Gunkahayr (Godfather) Nigoghos Boghosian (no. 118) and Krikor Pilibosian (no. 187) from the village of Hogheh close to Körpe, and Kapriel Babajanian of Binghamton (and others not in the photo because they lived in Philadelphia etc.) had volunteered for service in the French Légion d’Orient, as were gamavohrs (volunteers).   Baron [Mr.] Sarkis Kazarian (no. 26) and Hagop Karee (no. 143) served in the US Army.  Baron Sarkis had been gassed in France. Hagop Karee did not see action.

 

Baron [Mr.] Haroutune Shabouian and his family were not present either.  He was to write the only available history of the village.  Detailed notes for another one was written but tragically lost through carelessness and stupidity.

 

Mr. Melikian labeled the scroll and dated it as August 16, 1931 and pointed out that it was a gathering of Worcester [Ousdoor’ee] and Lowell [Lovel] people originally from Keorpe village in Kharpert “ungeroo’tuyan” [fellowship; kegha’tsis or fellow villagers, first started in Worcester in 1904].   The exact location where the photo was taken in Lowell is not known.  A picture of the partially opened scroll can be seen below followed by 10 cuts from the scroll starting on the left.  The height of the print is 8 ½ inches and the length is, as the name implies, a yard long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listing of Individuals Appearing in Lowell August 16, 1931 Scroll Picture

Sorted by Number (name in bold indicates Worcester area residence)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

Last Name

First Name

Armenian Name

Nickname

Married To

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Krikorian

 Paul

 Boghos

 

 

2

Krikorian

Elizabeth

Yeghsapert

 

?? Scirpo

3

Kazarian

Elizabeth

Yeghsapert

Lizzie / Liz

Roy Wheeler; died in 2000; Lizzie died 22 Oct. 2015

4

Aslanian

Elizabeth

Yeghsapert

Lizzie / Liz

Peter Koutouzis, divorced

5

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

6

Arslanian

Zakar

Zakar

Zeke

 

7

Arslanian

Charles

Garabed

 

Charlie died in 2007

8

Aslanian (Takvorian)

Ardash

Ardash

Artie

 

9

Krikorian

Hyqouhie

 

 

Bedros, no. 25; mother of Paul and Olga

10

Krikorian

Olga

Oghda

 

 

11

Kazarian

Gerald

Jirair

Jerry

Pamela Smith; Jerry is deceased

12

Aslanian

John

Hovhannes

 

 

13

Aslanian

Oscar

Asadoor

 

Lucy Teixeira

14

Payelian

John

Hovhannes

 

 

15

Payelian

Richard

Dikran?

 

 

16

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

17

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

18

Aslanian

Sarah

Sara

 

Bedros, no. 32

19

Aslanian

Arpineh

Arpineh

Arpy

 

20

Aslanian

Roxy

Araxie

 

 

21

Aslanian

Helen

Khatchkhatoon

 

 

22

Krikorian

Sharkey

Shake

 

 

23

Kazarian

Rose

Varter

 

Sarkis, no. 26

24

Aslanian

Serpouhi

 

 

Avak, no.29; father of Paul no. 1 & Olga no. 10

25

Krikorian

Peter

Bedros

 

Hygouhie, no. 9

26

Kazarian

Sarkis

Sarkis

 

Varter, no. 23; father to Liz no.3 & Jerry no. 11

27

Krikorian

Gregory

Krikor

 

Margaret

28

Kevorkian

Mgrudich

Mugerditch

Muggur

Yeghsa-divorced; 2nd wife Marta Merzigian no. 53

29

Aslanian

Avak

Avak

 

Serpouhie, no. 24

30

Payelian

Manoog

 

 

 

31

Payelian

Avak

 

 

 

32

Aslanian

Bedros J.

 

 

Sara Tarkizian, no. 18

33

Aslanian

Mary

Mariam

 

Fred Habib

34

Aslanian

Ovan

 

 

Zarouhi, not in photo

35

Aslanian

Ashken

 

 

Margos, no. 36; second husband;1st surnamed Takvorian

36

Aslanian

Margos

 

 

Ashkhen, no. 35; she was his second wife

37

Aslanian

Agnes

Azniv

 

Harry "Mickey" [Mesak] Sagerian

38

Aslanian

George

 

 

Susie Derderian, sister to Mary, wife of K. Merzigian no. 50

39

Aslanian Takvorian

Pearl

Kuvar??

 

Hanna Harootunian, no. 106

40

Kirkorian

Charles

Garabed

 

Dirif, no. 41

41

Kirkorian

Dirif

 

 

Garabed. No. 40

42

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

43

Payelian

 

 

 

 

44

Unidentified

Isaiah [Isayeel]

 

 

 

45

Kirkorian

Mary

Mariam

 

Sister to Elizabeth no. 49; Harry Kalajian

46

Astorian

Lucy

 

 

Karnig Alexandrian

47

Alexandrian

Marion

 

 

William Hovannesian

48

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

49

Kirkorian

Elizabeth

Yeghsapert

Betty

Sister to Mary no. 45

50

Merzigian

Kizer

Khazar

 

Mary Derderian, sister to Susie, wife of George Aslanian no. 3

51

Merzigian

Mary

Mariam

Myram Kergin; ‘Na’

Khatchadour, no. 57

52

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

53

Merzigian

Martha

Marta

 

3rd hsbd was M. no.28; 4th was M.K. no. 92; mom to 50, 54 to 56

54

Merzigian

Jacob

Hagop

Jake

Varti Davidian; Jake died December 8, 2015

55

Merzigian

Anna

 

 

George Krikorian, no. 182; George and Anna are deceased

56

Merzigian

John

Hovhannes

Johnny

Lisa Gorgorglione (deceased); Jean Malone

57

Merzigian

Kachador

Khatchadoor

Amoo

Mariam, no.51 (no children)

58

Hoogasian

Hoogas

 

Gussie

In this 'yards long' or 'circuit' photograph photo twice

59

Hovanesian

Mooshegh

 

 

Veron, no. 64; Mother of nos. 61 to 63

60

Alexandrian

Anna

Mannig

Granny

Mother of Mooshegh and others; refer to Ashvuntsi picture

61

Hovanesian

Elizabeth

Yaghsapet

Elsie

Aram Arvanigian,both Aram and Elsie are deceased

62

Hovanesian

Eunice

Yepradouhi

 

Nicholas Improta, Eunice is deceased

63

Hovanesian

Ann

Anna

Anno

Edward Wrinn

64

Hovanesian

Veronica

Veron

 

Mooshegh, no. 59

65

Hoogasian

Mary

Maree

 

Zaven, no.66

66

Hoogasian

Zaven

 

 

Maree, no. 65

67

Hoogasian

Katharine

Khatchkhatoun

Kay

James Sarkisian Katherine is deceased

68

Kirkorian

Tamam

 

 

Mardiros, no. 69

69

Krikorian

Martin

Mardiros

Mardo

Tamam, no.68; original family name Babajanian

70

Krikorian

Michael

Mikahel

 

 

71

Krikorian

John

Hovhaness

 

 

72

Ouzounian

Eliza

 

 

 

73

Aslanian

John

Hovhaness

 

Azniv Bekarian

74

Sarkissian

Barooyr

Barooyr

Buddy

Buddy is deceased

75

dog-not numbered

 

 

 

 

76

Sarkissian

Acabe

 

 

Mikahel Sarkissian aka Nortratsian, No. 77

77

Sarkissian Nortratsian

Mikahel

 

 

Acabe, no. 76

78

Sarkissian

Michael

Haig

 

 

79

Michaelian

Harry

Haroutoun

 

Nazley, no. 80

80

Michaelian

Nazley

 

 

Haroutoun, no. 79

81

Michaelian

Ann

Anahid

 

 

82

Michaelian

Zaven

 

 

 

83

Aslanian

Rose

Dzarghgazart

Dzarig or Dzahgo

Sarkis, no. 84 (no children)

84

Aslanian

Sarkis

 

 

Dzaghazart, no. 83

85

Aslanian

Martha

Marta

 

Sarkis' daughter, no. 84; Noubar? Zorabedian

86

Kochoian

Kazar

Khazar

 

Zabel, No. 88

87

Kochoian

Violet

Manushag

 

 

88

Kochoian

Zabel

 

 

Khazar, no. 86

89

Kochoian

Rose

Vartanoush /Vartoosh

Rosie

 

90

DerMichaelian

Katchadoor

 

 

 

91

Kazarian

Tervez

 

 

Maljan, no. 92; his second wife was Martha Kevorkian no. 53

92

Kazarian

Maljan

 

 

Tarvez Aslanian, no. 91; second wife no. 53 Marta

93

Kazarian

Helen

 

 

Nishan Nishanian, he is deceased

94

Kazarian

Mary

 

 

Serop Goshgarian, Mary is deceased

95

Kazarian

Sadie

Satenig

 

Takvor Takvorian, both Tak and Sadie are deceased

96

Boyajian

Mary

Mariam

 

Gaspar, no. 97

97

Boyajian

Kasper

Gaspar

 

Mariam Anteblian, no. 96

98

Boyajian

Queena

Takouhie

Queenie

 

99

Boyajian

Charles

Garabed

Charlie

Charles is deceased

100

Boyajian

Mesrop

 

"Sam" to co-workers

Widower from Genocide; never remarried

101

Aharonian

Rose

Vartouhi

 

Paul B. Hagopian, Rose died in 2012

102

Aharonian

Porapion

 

 

Merger, no. 103

103

Aharonian

Mergerios

 

Merger

Porapion, no. 102

104

Harootunian

Sarah

Sarah

 

Khatchadour, no. 105

105

Harootunian

Khatchadour

 

Khatcho; K'yegan

Sarah Perch, no. 104

106

Harutunian

Vahan

Vahan

Hanna

Pearl Takvorian, no. 39; Hanna is deceased

107

Aharonian

Aharon

Aharon Girayr

Gerry

Marion D. maiden name ?  Aharonian

108

Aharonian

Stella

 

 

James Parechanian, Stella died in 2011

109

Haruntunian

John

Hovhaness

Governor'

Katcho & Sarah's son; note spelling; he is deceased

110

Arakelian

Alice

 

 

John Lacey

111

Arakelian

Anna

Anna Berberian

 

No. 114, Kirkor Arakelian

112

Arakelian

Gregory

 

 

 

113

Der Krikorian

Menas

 

Menas Keri

Widower from Genocide

114

Arakelian

Kirkor

Gregory

 

Anna no. 111

115

Arakelian

George

 

Cookie

Pearl Palulian

116

Arakelian

Charlotte

 

Cookie's sister

Robert Ghiz

117

Boghosian

Oghda

 

 

Nigoghos, no. 118; to Fowler CA in March 1938

118

Boghosian

Nigoghos

 

 

Oghda, no. 117

119

Boghosian

Peter

Bedros

 

 

120

Boghosian

Irene

Zaroohie

 

Irene Choboian is deceased

121

Boghosian

Paul

Boghos

 

Paul is deceased; his wife Arman is alive

122

Khachadoorian

Mgrdch

 

 

 

123

Askashian

Sam

Senekerim

 

Goldie

124

Sohigian

Alexander

 

Alex

Berjouhie Sohigian

125

Ouzounian

Manoog

 

 

 

126

Manoogian

John

Hovhaness

 

Almas, no. 127

127

Manoogian

Almas

 

 

Hovaness, no. 126

128

Manoogian

George

Kirkor

 

 

129

Manoogian

John

Hovhaness

 

 

130

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

131

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

132

Minassian

Melkon

 

Melkon Amoo

Widower from Genocide

133

Manoogian

Lucy

Lucine

 

 

134

Tashjian

Menas

 

Beansie

Menas, also spelled Menes, is deceased

135

Tashjian

Zakar

 

 

 

136

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

137

Tashjian

Archie

Khatchadour

Archie

[Nancy L. Hopkins]; Archie is deceased

138

Tashjian

Rose

Khatchkhatoun

Rosie /Arpenig

 

139

Krikorian

Alice

Armenouhie

Alice

Michael Gulbankian

140

Tashjian

Nancy

Haigouhie

Hikewee

Clarence Barton; both Nancy and Clarence are deceased

141

Tashjian

Richard

Diran

Dickie

 

142

Krikorian

Anna

Anahid

Annie

Marino DeMango

143

Tashjian

Hagop

Hagopos Menas

 

Nurkhan, no. 144; father to nos. 137-141; Keri to 139 & 140

144

Tashjian

Nurkhan

 

 

Hagop, no. 143; mother to nos. 137 to 141; Kergin to 139 & 140

145

Kaprielian

Nevart

 

 

 

146

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

147

Unidentified

 

 

 

 

148

Megedichian

Neshan

 

 

Nazley, no. 149

149

Megedichian

Nazley

 

 

Neshan , no. 148

150

DerGarabedian

Kohar

 

 

Marderos, no 151

151

DerGarabedian

Marderos

 

 

Kohar, no 150

152

DerGarabedian

Rose

Vartanoush

 

Kirk Krikorian

153

DerGarabedian

George

 

 

 

154

Aprahamian

Aghavnie

 

 

Garbed. Mp 155

155

Aprahamian

Garabed

 

 

Aghavnie, no. 154

156

Aprahamian

Albert

Apraham

Albie

 

157

Azoian

Manoog

 

 

 

158

Aslanian

Abraham

Apraham

Apamoo

Genocide widower

159

Harootian

Sam

Sam

 

Araxie Malkasian

160

Kazarian

Marsoob

 

 

Zarouhie Jardarian

161

DerTorosian

Garabed

 

 

 

162

Harootian

Elizabeth

 

Lizzie / Liz

Louis Mikitarian

163

Bournazian

George

 

 

?. No 167

164

Bournazian

David

 

 

Older brother to George

165

Bournazian

possibly Dorothy?

 

 

If Liz so, married to Louis Mikitarian

166

Mouradian

Charles

Garabed

 

Susie Piligian

167

Bournazian

 

 

 

???, no. 167

168

Mouradian

Mary

 

 

Armen

169

Mouradian

Armen

 

 

Mary

170

Mouradian

Bert

Berge

 

 

171

Mouradian

George

Krikor

 

Helen Kerkorian

172

Kazarian

Kazar

Khazar

Ki

Elizabeth Nordigian

173

Davidian

Khachadoor

 

Khach Amoo

 

174

Kazarian

Sarah

Sarah

 

David, no. 175; mother of nos.172, 176 and 177

175

Kazarian

David

Davit

 

Sarah, no. 174

176

Kazarian

Rose

 

 

Van Yayalian

177

Kazarian

Julia

Juvahr

 

Henry Kiremitjian; Julie is deceased

178

Cholakian

Giragos

 

 

 

179

Sarkisian

Serpouhie

 

later Sophie

husband Garabed not in picture

180

Sarkisian

George

Kirkor

Koko

Beatrice

181

Sarkisian

Margaret

Makrouhie/Markrid

Mako

 

182

Krikorian

George

Kirkor

Kiki

Anna Merzigian, no. 55, both George and Anna are deceased

183

Krikorian

Altoon

Voskitel

Altoon

Bedros DerKrikorian; mom to 182, 184-5; 2nd husband no.199

184

Krikorian

Pearl

Kuvar

 

Oliver S. McBride; Ollie/ "Mac" is deceased

185

Krikorian

Paul

Boghos

 

Gladys Benneyan; Paul died Dec. 21, 2015

186

Hoyen

George

 

 

 

187

Pilibosian

Krikor

 

 

Haiganoosh Grigorian; father to nos.188 and 189

188

Pilibosian

Elizabeth

Yeghsapert

 Lizzie or ‘Betty’

Ralph Sheehan; Lizzie and Ralph are deceased

189

Pilibosian

George

Krikor

 

 

190

Hoyen

 

 

 

 

191

Simonian

Yathazar

Yeghazar

Yeghamoo

Noonia Yenokian[her father's 1st name]-Krikorian, no. 192

192

Simonian

Noonoofar

Noonia always used

Noonia/Nonig/Noono

Yeghazar, no. 191; mother to no. 193,194 to 197

193

Simonian

Samuel

Simon

Sam, Sammy

Rita Fenlon

194

Simonian

Bizer

Baidsar

Bizer / Betty

Bizer died Oct. 10, 2015

195

Simonian

Eva

 

 

Roger Haroyan; Eva is deceased

196

Simonian

Oghda

 

Ogda; Iggie

Philip O'Gulian; Oghda and Philip are deceased

197

Simonian

Pamela

Pannonia

Pam/ Pannon

Apkar Apkarian; Pam and Apkar 'Bob' are deceased

198

Alexanian

Hagop

 

 

Godfather to all the Simonians

199

Simonian

Bagdasar

 

Baghdo

Zabel Kasperian no. 200; later to Altoon DerKrikorian, no. 183

200

Simonian

Zabel

 

 

Bagdasar Simonian mother to nos. 201 and 202

201

Simonian

Thomas

Toomas

Tommy

Jean Kaloustian; Tommy died in 1992

202

Simonian

Elizabeth

Yeghsapet

Elsie

James Melikian; Jim died in 2007

 

 

 

Acknowledgements

 

Identifications in this picture derive from a group effort spearheaded by ADK with so many others that details would fill a book.  Both those dead or alive will know that they remained true to their heritage.  We thank everyone and her cousin for the help in filling out this Spreadsheet.  Indeed, we say “her” because we relied largely, but not exclusively, on the fairer sex for generously responding to the call to rally round this project.  Sadly, many have since passed on.  We apologize for any errors and stand ready to make additions or corrections to the Master List.   Clearly we have ‘sat on this long enough.’  As the old timers might have asked “Ahl heh’rick ch’eh!” [Is it not enough?]  We hope that they would have also said, Shidag, shidag ehr’erehn [they’ve done it correctly] or at least would have said, “Gur’tsadz’ihn chahp’uh ehreren [The have done as much as they could].

 

 

Endnotes

 

[1] Haroutune Shabouian’s book on the “History of Kerope/Körpe” lists all families to the extent possible.  This book was surely a labor of love but as is the case in most efforts of that sort, it is not totally reliable.  Exactly why he called it Keorpe rather than Keropeh, the correct Armenian form remains unanswered.  This probably is merely the result of trying to get the Turkish ‘sound’ into the Armenian spelling.  The volume lists the various households of this purely Armenian village by house number.  There were no Catholics or Protestants.  He started writing this in 1958 or 1959 and completed it around 1963 to 1965.  It is handwritten in Armenian, and was reproduced in photo offset.  We should be very glad that he took it upon himself to write the book.  He admitted that there may be have been errors but an effort has been made to verify facts.  And, of course, there is the problem that informants were sometimes mistaken about their own particulars - dates of immigration for instance.  There is one absolutely critical and perhaps unique feature of the book - (we know of no other village history, and quite a few were written by Diasporan Armenians) - that has the feature.  There may be, but we are not aware of it/them.)  Briefly, at the end of the volume there is a household tabulation that gives the names of the people in each household, starting with the oldest male followed by age and status.  Then the oldest female is given, again followed by the others.  The challenge is that one cannot tell for sure which female goes with each male and so forth.  Ages are given for all.  These are largely conjectures since many did not know exactly when they were born.  The tally at the right hand side of an entry merely is an ongoing accounting of the number of souls/bodies in the village.  As each name is entered, the tally goes up by one.

 

The beautiful feature of the village history is that it is a history that deals with the common people - everyone was fitted in, or, more accurately, at least named in a family context.

The entry on Körpe village in Vahe Haig’s massive on Kharpert may be found reproduced in full in our article entitled “A Family Photograph from Korpeh, Kharpert, Old Armenia Bears Forceful Witness to the Genocide” Armenian News Network / Groong July 10, 2015.  This article includes a brief bibliography, photographs and relevant maps.  See http://groong.usc.edu/orig/ak-20150710.html

 

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