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Aghjayan: A New Source for Armenian Roots
I wish to thank Vural Genç, Cihangir Gündoğdu, George Leylegian, Khatchig Mouradian, and the staff at the Ottoman archives (Başbakanlık Osmanlı Arşivi). Each was instrumental in assisting me in gathering and transcribing the data. In addition, I wish to thank Margaret Papazian for her encouragement as well as for bringing to light new information on my family I never imagined existed. All errors are, of course, my own.
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Great story and very touching, thank you.
My grandparents were from Palu, Almas Arpajian and Kharpert,Avedis Manasian who narrowly escaped the Genocide of 1915, but left their families behind never to see them again. I’ve lost respect for U.S. foreign policy. They’ve cozy-ed up with Turk foreign policy and barely admit to the murder of Armenia. My blood boils when I recall the story’s my grandparents related to me as a child. Honestly, I hate the Turks to this day.
How wonderful that these roots have been reclaimed! Whenever any of our people are able to do this, it brings consolation to the rest of us. Thank you for a wonderful article.
Kudos to George Aghjayan for his tenacious work in gathering his family’s ancestry. I had no idea there was a census done by the Turks that could be the only surviving record of our people in Turkey. I wonder how one accesses this information and interprets the old Turkish writing. Such a shame no women were mentioned, as that’s half of everyone’s legacy.
Interesting article…how does one access the Ottoman census and records?
Many thanks…
The Ancestor of the Armenian People !.
Vers 3 belowe – Togarma !.
Genesis 1021st Century King James Version (KJ21)
10 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and unto them were sons born after the flood.
2 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
3 And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz and Riphath and Togarmah.
4 And the sons of Javan: Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim.
5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided into their lands, every one after his own tongue, according to their families, into their nations.
The Armenians spread Eastward to Buchara,
which is another verson of Togarma.
Here they founded the Nation of Carmania.
They moved further Northeast to Bulun-Tokai in Nordwestern Todays China/Sinkiang,
thet where here Called “Tocharer”.
They dissapeared for more than 2000 years ago.
From Here they Moved Westvard and was called Sarmatians,
the name of todays Serbians.
The Slavic people of Todays Central Europe are descendants of Armenia.
Observe that the Russians/Mesek(Moskovites) above is not Armenians or Slavs althoug Mixt a bit with them.
Arn.Sweden.
Congratulations George in locating your family’s ancestry on a census the Turks have kept to this day. I too wonder if you could get info. on my father & mothers background through the same census you found. They came from small villages in the Provence of Shabin Karahissar, called Sis, now changed to Chatal Olukh & my mother came from the Provence of Erzerum in the Village of Goteh, now called Keutur. Anyway, well done on your family tree. Stephan
Armenians have been claiming that Turkey does not open Ottoman Archives ‘…Here you are…Thanks for the news.
Dear Moderator,
Your web site does not let Turks to publish their comments on your articles and counter comments . We, Turks, carefully take into account your discussion policy while some Armenians and their supporters frequently insulting my nation by violating your policy. Acording to the principles of law if some one or a community is accused then they have the right to defend themselves. On the other hand, contemporary communities have to respect their counterparts’ freedom of speech. Otherwise your discussions platform would be a monologue environment. Therefore, I kindly request you let Turkish readers publish their view points on your article.
Best regards,
Orhan Tan
My great grand parents came from Van, entering Ellis Island around 1921, they spent some time in Massachusetts before moving to central California just south of Fresno to take up farming. Many people from Van settled in this area. What would be the best direction to further trace our roots back since my great grand parents have passed and very little history is know from those surviving? David L. California .
Fascinating article! My father was from Palu, Havav kugh. Born in 1904.
A genocide survivor. Entered Providence, Rhode Island about 1921,
How can I get information about his ancestors?
Please advise.
I just came across this article. My grandfather was from Sakrat. His name was Robert Souren Yazujian. He also had a brother Hrant (George) Yazujian. I have been looking everywhere for more information about their parents, siblings etc. If there is anything else you can tell me I would be forever grateful.
Ann Yazujian
Hello, Does anyone know how I could obtain a copy of the book mentioned in this article?
The book:
Hishadagaran, published in 1951 by Asbarez Press.
Greatly Appreciated
Mark Levon Yazujian, Bucks County, PA