Second Annual Armenian Genealogy Conference Takes Place in Detroit

DEARBORN, Mich. (A.W)—The second annual Armenian Genealogy Conference took place at the University of Michigan-Dearborn on March 18, while several related events were held in the Detroit area throughout the weekend. The conference was sponsored by the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and co-sponsored by the Cultural Society of Armenians from Istanbul, the Nor Keghi Association, and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). Over 250 people from 18 states attended the conference.

Youngster Nareg Kevorkian attends the the second annual Armenian Genealogy Conference

The weekend’s events kicked off on the evening of  March 17, with an opening reception. Over 150 people with Armenian ancestry gathered at St. Sarkis Lillian Arakelian Fellowship Hall to connect with each other and to enjoy a traditional Armenian buffet, in which each item was identified by its historic origins. Der Hrant Kevorkian, pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, extended a warm welcome to the guests who were seated at tables that mapped the geography of Historic Armenia with each table being designated a particular province. This gave conference attendees the opportunity to connect with others whose ancestors hailed from the same regions of Historic Armenia. Whether Keghitsis, Everegtsis , Adanatsis or Kharpertsis, compatriots made their way for group pictures taken according to regional roots.

The March 18 conference opened with introductory remarks and a welcome by George Aghjayan and Ani Boghikian Kasparian of the organizing committee as well as by Dr. Ara Sanjian, the director of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Armenian Research Center. The morning sessions touched on genealogy 101 (Tracy Keeney), the hidden Armenians of Turkey (George Aghjayan) and the history of the Palu region (Vahe Tachjian).

Descendants of Keghi

In the afternoon, participants went into four consecutive break-out sessions on various themes, including the Armenian Immigration Project (Mark Arslan), genealogy and social media (Tracy Keeney), DNA testing (Janet Achoukian Andreopoulos), Armenian/Ottoman records (George Aghjayan), success stories (Jen Langley), and sources in Armenian research centers (Ani Boghikian Kasparian). Speakers shared “success stories” of genealogical discovery and encouraged those in attendance to start putting together the puzzle pieces of their own family history.

In her presentation on the morning of March 18, Tracy Keeney, creator of the Armenian Genealogy Facebook page, encouraged conference attendees to become more involved in tracing their family lines, whether it is through genealogy websites, newspapers and national archives, or Google, stating: “You never know what you’re going to find and where you’re going to find it.” Keeney also emphasized the importance of connecting with living relatives. “You’re not going to find this all on ancenstry.com,” she said. “There’s so much more to genealogy than names and dates.”

Meline Lachinian, who has been interested in Armenian genealogy for twenty years, described the conference as “a labor of love.” She explained that as a result of a meeting with the director of the Houshamadyan Project Vahe Tachjian at last year’s genealogy conference, he published an article about her family narratives and photos.

On the evening of March 18, the banquet participants enjoyed the culturally rich program with traditional songs and dances of historic Armenia. Harry Kezelian III, accompanied by Dickran Callan, sang songs from various regions, explaining the occasion of when they used to be sung, while playing the oud. The Hamazkayin Arax Dance group of Detroit, led by Nayiri Karapetian, performed dances from Vasbouragan, Shirak, Kessab, and Sepastia. They invited the guests to join them in an effort to reintroduce some of the original steps.

Tracy Keeney during her presentation

On the morning of March 19, attendees had an opportunity to attend mass at the local Armenian churches.  In the afternoon, everyone was shuttled to St. John’s Armenian Apostolic church for a tour of the Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum. As everyone was gathered in the art gallery, Ms. Lucy Ardash, the director of the museum, highlighted some of the special artifacts from the collection. With docents in each of the six galleries of the museum, the guests went through at their own pace, identifying with artifacts from their ancestral towns and villages.

The tour was followed by the farewell reception with a warm welcome by Hayr Aren Jebejian, pastor of St. John’s Armenian Apostolic Church. Guests enjoyed more Armenian pastries and more time with newly discovered family and friends. Participants thanked the organizers, George Aghjayan, Janet Achoukian Andreopoulos, Mark Arslan, Luc Baronian, Ani Boghikian Kasparian, Tracy Keeney, Jen Langley, Marc Mamigonian, and Shoghig Shahinian for a worthwhile conference and left with great anticipation for its next installment.

 

Amanda Berger

Amanda Berger

Amanda Berger is from Livonia, Mich. She is a sophomore at Albion College working on her degree in English and minor in business and organizations. Amanda spends her days playing the flute, writing stories, and working tirelessly on her book collection. She currently interns at the Armenian Weekly, as part of the Armenian Students’ Association of America Inc. (ASA) Internship in Journalism program.

6 Comments

  1. It would be very helpful if the Armenian/Ottoman records were accessible to all who could make the trip to find more past information on their relatives. So sad that most all documentation was destroyed during the Genocides of the past.
    Congratulation on your Second Annual Armenian Genealogy Conference. Another success!

  2. I NOTICED MY THREE FIRST COUSINS IN THE PHOTO ALICE AND SANDY NIGHOGOSIAN AN SIRAN TERZIAN,NICE PICTURE GIRLS,SANDY SMILE NEXT TIME.

  3. I was so pleased for the opportunity to attend the Conference. THANK YOU to the Committee and presenters.
    For those living in the metro-Detroit area who did not take advantage of any portion thereof, especially on Saturday, when you would have had access to the depth and breadth of what the speakers have accomplished, what were you thinking?? :)

  4. How I wish I could have attended! So I must ask–where and when will the third Annual Armenian Genealogy Conference take place? If you know already, please publicize. I know there are many who would like to attend–just as do I!

    It sounds as if it was a very enjoyable and productive conference. Congratulations to all!

  5. I enjoyed every moment of the Armenian Genealogy Conference. The subject matter of the speakers was excellent. The people I met at the conference were very nice. Their is so much Armenian History that needs to discovered.

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