Armenians' Keepsakes and Memories
Armenians Brought Their Keepsakes and Memories... The Diary of Dr. Kapriel Sourian
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A sample section from a Manifest listing Armenians who had left Turkey before the war. They sailed to the U.S. on the S.S. Florida leaving from Le Havre on May 31, 1913: #3 Akkarian, Van |
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During January, 1920 Dr. Sourian (second from left) served as a physician with the British forces. He was shot and killed by a stray bullet while attending to 200 orphans at the missionary hospital during the siege of Kars by the Turks, which took place after the Armistice was signed. |
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The 1911 daily diary with a sample page kept by Dr. Sourian while serving as a physician in the Turkish Army, during which time he was imprisoned and beaten. |
Immigrant Graffiti Left by the Armenians at Ellis Island
Above: This graffiti, written by Baghdasar Tashjian in 1901, is located in Room 232, on the second floor at Ellis Island. The Armenian was first translated into English by Aris Sevag for the Armenian exhibit.
Translation for the above:
It is beautiful, so lovely... Armenian ... may the Lord bless Columbus' soul ... Baghdasar Tashjian, who says may the Lord bless his soul, whoever comes here won't ... (regret it)... It is three times that I travel to America, only the Lord ...be to those who come here... greetings to you all.
1901 Tashjian from the city of Kharpet
Echoes from the Past
Left: The smaller family photographs on this panel were taken by photographer Aram Dildilian in his own studio in Marsovan, Turkey between 1895¥1915. The two larger photographs of the musicians and the Aprahamian family are featured on the next page, along with a photograph taken by Dildilian.
Right: The display case shows stringed musical instuments, an oud (wide belly) and saz; toys that include a male doll wearing typical Kharpert clothing, a ball and laces with a shuttlecock used for tatting.
Photographs and Keepsakes
Bittersweet Remains of a Proud People
Driven out of their homeland, a few Armenian exiles salvaged whatever they could carry with them; others escaped with the clothes on their backs.
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Musicians from Dirkanagerd pose with their instruments, a violin, a kanoun and spirits, 1912. |
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The three gnerations of the Abrahamian family from New Julfa, Persia (Iran), 1894. |
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A page from photographer Aram Dildilian's photo-album shows him peering down on a photograph he took of women weaving yarns into fabric, Marsovan, 1910. |