E-Mail 'Kiss My Children's Eyes: A Search for Answers to the Genocide Through One Remarkable Photograph' To A Friend

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1. My grandfather, Daniel Theodore Thomassian, born in Afyon, Turkey around 1895, graduated from Rev. Jenanyan school in Iconium and then taught in an Armenian school in Gesaria until he emigrated to the US in 1913. I’m sure he would have known some of the people in the photo. Possibly he worked at the college headed by Vahan Kurkjian. Thank you for your research.

2. Thank you for this very interesting and moving article. Where might we be able to access the list of all the names of the Armenian men in the photo? Perhaps in a follow-up article “The Armenian Weekly” can reprint them and the descriptive info that Mr. Kurkjian notes?? I’m wondering if my great-grand father (Tatsian/exact spelling unknown) might have been among them… My grandmother always said that her father was a “prominent merchant” in Keyseri, and was rounded up before the start of the Genocide. The Turkish gendarmes came a few days later and presented her, and her mother with his head on a plate.

3. Please publish a full list of these men’s names

4. Is there a list of the names of these men so far identified? As my relatives were from Tomarza, and in fact many Armenians who settled in SE Wisconsin were from Tomarza, it is possible some of the men in the picture were from that town.

   • Unlikely. Tomarza must have conducted its own “procedures” separately. The road between Kayseri and Tomarza is 50 miles from a mountainous area. It would have been a difficult task to bring Armenian people from Tomarza to Kayseri to be executed. Also, if remote towns were included, the number of prisoners would have been at least several hundred. 50 is reasonable for the first round of arrests from Kayseri and close suburbs.
     I am Turkish. I worked as a medical doctor in Tomarza in early 1990s for a year.

   • John,
     On the official Turkish website of the City of Tomarza (Tomarza.gov.tr) there is a mention of a group of 90 Armenians being directly sent to Syria on July 11th, 1915. Looks like this was part of the process, as it also talks about local militia and soldiers having constant skirmishes until 1921. It says there were some Armenian young men that were discharged from (must be Turkish) military that were sent to Istanbul after returning home. Does not make sense to me. When I was there, and I asked the local what happened to Armenians, the answer was “they left” without elaboration. In the city center, I met some people who physically looked Armenian without a doubt, but they had Turkish-Islamic names and denied any connection.
     On the website, there are also names of Ohannes (father) and Fasigh (son) Chorbajian as heads of local bandits, if that means anything to you.

5. I am so grateful for the people who share histories about the genocide. I have my memories of my wonderful grandmother who spoke to me about her memories. She cried every time she spoke of family who were killed during that time.
   I feel anger because the people of Turkey refuse t acknowledge those dark days and continue to lie about aspects of that time. I know what happened and I didn’t have to be there. My relatives shared the horrors of what happened to my people. Our own government ( president) lied when they agreed to acknowledge this period of time prior to their elections and quickly changed their minds when in office. Politics ha, no they needed the airstrip in Turkey. If anyone wants to hear and see something that brings it all together: refer to the song black tears. goggle it. the Armenian Genocide song. I did and can truly see what my family spoke about.

6. This is a remarkable piece of writing and research – every word captures the essence of what led to the tragic end in the lives of these men. How Mr. Kurkjian states the facts and puts the puzzle together is a testament to his fortitude and love for his people. I hope that even more background on the deceased will become known, and that the ancestors of all those in the photo will reunite to show their presence and strength.

7. A truly passionate and much needed article/piece of work. All Armenians have a “stake” in their respective futures, yet, we must also NEVER forget our historical past, especially those horrific years of the Armenian Genocide.
   The “hunt” for documental data, photographs, and any other factual information should never cease, ever (even
   if the Turkish government/people at some point admits to the crimes of their past ancestors).
   Please publish a list of these men’s names.
   Thank You.

8. Hargely baron Stepan Kurkjian, Anchap Gnahadumenk ko hoyagab lusavoritch gordz’e. Shnorhagal, Art Napetian

9. Great article!! My grandfather was a teacher in Gesaria and I wonder to this day how he managed to escape this episode. He was sent to a forced labor batallion building roads where he lost the use of his right hand, and had to learn to write with his left. With the help of his wife he was able to escape and survive, finding refuge in Lebanon where he continued to teach orphans at the NER orphanage in Antelias. He is buried at Frin Shibek cemetary in Beirut.

10. Lolo; please write in with the full name of your grandfather who taught the orphans at the NER orphanage. Misak kelechian is searching for the names of those who worked with NER. He is also doing research in the names of those who received assistance from NER.
    It is obvious that Stephen Kurkjian has spent years in methodical research of this photograph. His tenacity and skil is why he has been awarded, not one, but three Pulitzers. Yes, AW should publish all the names.
    Stephen’s

11. editor; my apologies- the last sentence should read: “Yes, AW should publish all the names under Stephen’s photograph.

12. As best as I can determine by cross-checking with number of sources, here are the names of those shown in the photograph:

    Front row (left to right)
    1) Bookseller (KAYSERI ID’S KALOUST KITABJIAN AS BEING SENTENCED)
    2) Rug dealer from Gurin (Hagop Sudjian was rug dealer?)
    3) Hovannes Soogurlian/Sooungourlian
    4) Garabed Zambakjian
    5) Parsekh Kilimian
    6) Garabed Jamjian
    7) Nishan Halajian
    8) Yervant, a lawyer (Tekerian has Yervant Varteresian, a lawyer); KAYSERI HAS Yervant Varteresian; Ghazarian in LIPANAN has Yervant Varteresian at the “barn.”
    9) Karnig Kouyoumjian
    10) Soongurlian Jr. (Nakashian)
    11) Varteres Armenyan
    12) Karnig Ougurlian/Oughourlian
    13) Avedis Zambakjian
    14) Krikor Kerekmezian
    15) Haroutian Der Mgurdichian
    16) Hagop Timourian
    17) Bagdasahr, shoemaker
    18) Sakalle Ohannes –
    19) Dr. Levon Hunjakian (maybe Dr. Levon Panossian)

    Second row
    Karnig Balukjian
    Hagop Churakian
    Hovannes Ekmejian
    Mardiros Lousararian
    Hagop Avsharian
    Hagop Merdinian
    Garabed Nevrouzian
    Hagop Nevsherhilian
    Vahan Kurkjian
    Daniel, grocer
    Tekeh Ehyonin
    Khache
    Krikor Deukmejian
    Madiros Boyajian

    Back row
    Voskian Minassian
    Karnig Jurjurian
    Bedros Matossian
    Haroutian Boejekian
    Mihran, candy maker
    Hagop Kherlian
    Garabed Matossian
    Garabed Elmajian
    Minas Minassian
    Boghos Meshjian
    Hadji Mirijian
    Dikran Ohanian
    Garabed Istamboulian
    Turkish police officer

13. My Grandfather, Hagop Timourian, is listed as being in the picture. My Father, who was 11 or 12 at the time, looked at the picture years ago. He wasn’t so sure that the person identified as his Father was the correct one, thought maybe it was someone else in the back row. We have no pictures from the time to clarify his impression, it was maybe sixty or seventy years since he had seen his Dad.

    • What

14. Dear Stephen, We already communicated after your talk last night but I wanted to once again thank you for the magnificent work you have done, the kind of work you lovingly called “a labor of love.” In that vein, I wanted to salute you and those you followed the footsteps of by sharing the following list of Armenian journalists who were killed 99 years ago today. I have taken the liberty of translating the introduction from Bianet, an independent communication network where I came upon this list:

    They were journalists. They were taken from their homes on April 24, 1915 and led from Istanbul towards Anatolia. They were killed.
    Those that were identified along with their titles are below:
    Levon Bardizbaryan (doctor, journalist)
    Khajak Karekin Çakalyan (journalist, educator)
    Ardaşes Ferahyan (journalist, reporter)
    Hampartsum Hampartsumyan (journalist, writer)
    Diran Kelekyan (journalist, writer)
    Levon larents Kirişçiyan (journalist, educator)
    E. Agnuni (Haçadur Malumyan/journalist, politician)
    Sarkis Minasyan-Aram Aşod (educator, journalist)
    Parseğ Şahbaz(lawyer, journalist)
    Adom Şahen (Yeritsyan/journalist, writer)
    Krikor Toruysan (Gigo/journalist)
    Rupen Zartanyan (writer, poet, journalist)
    Kirkor Zohrab (journalist, literary scholar, parliamentarian)

15. I am deeply grateful for this excellent research.

16. My grandmother was living near Kayseri, Talas, and she told me that one day she saw men rounded up by Turks in the center of the town. Before going to their death, some of them had violins in their hand, and started to play. I don’t know if anybody else had ever heard of this sad event.This reminded me some similar Nazi stories. By the way my grandpa had more tragic fate.He was 16 at that time living in Evereg,just 15 miles away from Kayseri.One day they came and took him from the house and took him out of the town with other men.There,they ordered to get in lines. Fortunately he was in the last row.After the first line fell down,he threw himself down, and nobody noticed him.They left the bodies there and left. My grandpa hid in orchards and mountains for months.I don’t know how many months later, he went to Kayseri. He was a very sad man.I am sure he was suffering from this trauma during all his life. God bless his and all the victims’ soul.

17. My Armenian relatives came from Kayseria (is that Caesarea? originally); there is also a Caesarea in Israel. My Armenian uncle, as a child, was shot in the fields (were these the fields this article talks about?; if so, massacres were taking place everywhere); he and his mother survived the deportations as well, although his 3 other siblings died on the deportations. I must add, my uncle was a wonderful person; and taught us not to be bigot and snobs. I do feel sorry for victims of war or other violence for those wounds, both physical and emotion last a life time. I do hope you all find healing for your wounds. Love, peace and brotherhood.

18. Anna, Could you share with us the name of your grandfather from Evereg? Would like to see if he is listed in my family tree of Evereg. Thank you! Janet

19. Amazing work, Stephen. Clearly a labor of love…a quest for answers where often times there are no answers to be found. But, that does not stop people like us from searching. Whether we are professors, journalists, DNA experts, or amateur genealogists we all share this bond.

20. Dear Janet,his name was Sarkis Torosyan. He had one brother who was drafted to the army. We don’t know any other relative. He was all along. Thank you for your interest.

21. My grandfather was Ohannes Manoukian (original family name was Yemenijian). He was married in 1912 to Guluzar Ohanian, and they and two children survived. After their marriage they lived in Egypt where my grandfather worked for the Melkonian Brothers. Its my understanding that they left Egypt after a couple of years because the climate was too hot and the water there unhealthy, and returned to Gesaria. He was not arrested in 1915 but instead sent for military forced labor where he traveled as far north as the environs of Sebastia. Meanwhile his wife (my grandmother) took her family (her mother, mother-in-law, and young ones) and hid in the nearby Greek villages until the danger of deportation had passed. She then rescued her husband and they apparently continued to live in Gesaria until 1921. My grandfather was educated and worked as a teacher in Talas at the American orphanage. My mother was born there and soon after they left for Antelias, where for ten years he continued to work for NER. Mu mother’s brother was born at Antelias. When the Catholicosate of Cilicia assumed control of the Antelias site, the family moved to Eshrefiyeh, where my garndafther continued to teach. My mother is now 93 and my uncle 91. Contact me at lolopeeg@aol.com.

22. Karnig Jurjurian was my great grandfather. Arron Jurjurian was my grandfather. I would love to have a copy or to of this book. The stories of this time have been told and retold. I am also looking for any other information anyone can provide for the history of my family.

23. Stephen,
    What a fascinating article this is. I’ve looked at this photograph many, many times over the years, since first coming across it on the internet a decade or so ago. I also have wondered about these men and their stories and the circumstances surrounding this moment in time.

    What caught my interest initially was that in the first row are two Zambakjians, Avedis and Garabed. My family were Zambakjians too, and also were from Kayseri. I wonder if Garabed and Avedis were part of our family. My grandfather was Ardashes Zambakjian and his father was Kapriel Zambakjian, Kapriel and his wife died during the massacres but my grandfather Ardashes had come to America in 1906 to join his older brother Yervant and missed the tragedy about to unfold in that city and that country.
    I wonder if any information about the Zambakjians in that photo has ever come to light in your research? Were their professions – or relationship to one another – ever revealed? Were the charges against them identical to the others?
    Thanks again to you for this article and for the many, many years of persistence that went into your researching this important and poignant
    photograph of a tragic event in Armenian history.

    • A.K., I am Linda Zambakian Yates, your first cousin. My father was Irving, your dad’s brother. We came across this website as we were looking for you. How amazing. We would love to get together and become reacquainted. I last saw you about 65 years ago.

24. My Great Grandfather was Karnig Jurjurian. My Grandfather was Artin Jurjurian. I have been trying to trace my heritage as it has always called to me. If anyone can help me please let me know. Armenianpride7@gmail.com. Leslie Jurjurian Allen

25. My grandparents were Mikial and Zartar Zanatian, they came to america from istanbul in 1921, just after my father was born. They settled in Sherman, NY. I am interested in learning about my heritage and if anyone may point me in the direction to learn, I would appreciate it. CHAGEMAN68@Gmail.com

26. I’ve learned that you will be the keynote speaker, 28 Apr 19, for the 104th Observance of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, at the Armenian Genocide Memorial, North Burial, Providence, RI. My grandmother, grandfather, and father (now deceased), survived the Armenian genocide, coming to America on a Russian passport in 1916. I have been doing research on their journey from Van with my father’s surviving sister. Thank you and best wishes always, Bob Krekorian, Cranston, RI.

27. A.K.Zambakian. Your grandfather, Ardashes Kapriel Zambakian (Zambakjian) (b. 14 Mar 1887 d.20 July 1967) was the brother of Yervant Kapriel Zambakian (b.3 Dec 1880 d. 28 May 1952) and Vahan Kapriel Zambakian (b. 3 Oct 1889 d.10 Jan 1977). Ardashes had three sisters: Looysanoush (b 1884), Khosrovoohi(b. 1882 d. @ 1909 of T.B) and Anoush (b. 1875 d. 1915 deportation) Your grandfather and his two brothers sponsored their nephew and my husband’s father, Haig Hagop Kazazian in his efforts to come to America after the genocide. Haig Hagop’s mother was Anoush Zambakian. Uncle Y.K. (Yervant) lived with my husband’s parents in Toledo, Ohio. My husband and I lived in Denver where Vahan (V.K.) and Ardashes (A.K.) lived until A.K. moved to New Jersey to be with his son, Irving. Irvings’ brother was your father, Alfred K. Zambakian. I have a photo given to me by Uncle V.K. that includes your great grandfather Kapriel Zambakian, his wife Gulizar Simidian Zambakian, her mother Mayreni Simidian, Vahan Kapriel, Khosrovoohi, Ardashes Kapriel, and Looysanoush. That photo was taken in 1900. Yervant Kapriel had departed for America and Anoushig was married to Hagop Mugerdich Kazazian. All lived in Kayseri. I also have a photo of Vahan And Ardashes from the 1920s and one of Yervant in his 20s. Your grandfather and his brothers had an oriental rug stores: one in TOledo and one in Denver. Your grandfather was the only one of the three brothers who had children. I do not know what business your great-great-grandfather, Garabed was in. I have no information on Avedis other than one of Haig Hagop Kazazian’s younger brother’s name was Avedis. Haig Hagop’s youngest brother was named Onic Kapriel. If you are interested in a copy of the photo I have, please contact me.

28. Does anyone know what Karnig Jurjurian’s job was?

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