Tales from Tri-Town: Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

This year marks the 107th year since the 1915 Armenian Genocide, which was perpetrated by the Ottoman (Turkish) government. For those of us who are Armenian, this is a somber time – one in which we tell the stories that we know of earlier generations who escaped death and survived unspeakable violence. It is also a time that many of us feel the need to be close to family, to cook Armenian food, and tell other family stories. All of us have stories.

My grandfather, Krikor “George” Mirijanian survived the Genocide. He was a child when his Western Armenian village, Arapkir, near Harput (also “Kherput, now part of Turkey) was invaded. So did his brother, Sarkis “Sam.” Because they came over at different times, Sam’s last name is “Merejanian.” Krikor married my grandmother, Shakie “Charlotte” Manooshian, who was first-generation American, born 1914. (Shakie – SHAH-kay, like her older sister Satenig, later Irene – was given an “American name” in first grade by her teacher– a common practice).

I will not include Krikor’s survival story – our family told this to Civics’ students at Fitchburg High School last year. It is hideous, and it is similar to other family stories I have heard and read. However, not long ago, I began thinking about my grandmothers’ family. They had arrived after the 1894-95 Massacres.

My grandmother’s mother was Varteh (“Rose”) Armoian Boyajian Manooshian (she was widowed twice). She married a “Martin” Manooshian. Surely, I could find Martin in the City Directories at Fitchburg Historical Society?

I found Madiros Manooshian, with Phillip and Ushan “rooming” at 29 Federal St., and working at Parkhill Mills in 1896 – the year after the Massacres. Undoubtedly, this was my great grandfather – “Mardiros” translates to Martin! And I knew he had a brother, Phillip. There he was – and with another relative, Ushan. Now that was news.

And then I thought – who was the first Armenian? Who came to north central Massachusetts, liked it, and stayed? If only I could interview that person! But lacking a time-travel machine, research would have to do.

Armenians in Fitchburg

Armenians had been coming to Massachusetts since the late 1860s – in tiny numbers – but by the late 1880s, a substantial Armenian community in Worcester  formed. In Fitchburg, the very first Armenians were Garabed Manoochian, and Marderos Sontoujaen, who were laborers. I found them in the 1890 directory. Did they have descendants, I wondered. But no, within the year, they were gone, and their names were missing from the next directory.

But in 1892, I found Simon Shooshanian and Sarkis Shahalian, who opened a “Confectioner and Grocery Store” at 191 Main St. They, too, vanished the following year. By the first year of the Massacres (1894), we saw a significant increase in the number of – we can only assume – war refugees.

That year, 15 Armenian men are listed in the directory. We can only assume many of them had families. And so began the Diaspora, which centered around the Parkhill Mill in Cleghorn, West Fitchburg. These men were laborers – some worked at Iver Johnson Gun & Cycle Works.

More came after the Genocide, and by 1924, there were 77 adults listed in the Poll Tax records of Fitchburg; 39 names in all. Many were laborers, but there were individuals who owned restaurants, and several listed as shoemakers.

Later Arrivals

My friend, Dr. John Bogdasarian is a more recent arrival. Here’s what it means to him to be an Armenian in Fitchburg.

“I had not been to this city before and knew no one here. I believed that it would be a good place for me, as there was a need for someone in my specialty of otolaryngology, and I thought that I could be of help. Perhaps because my name was long and ended in “ian”, Dr. Michael Golden’s secretary, Mary Chakemian, invited me to dinner at her home, where she lived with her parents.

“What wonderful food — the food that my own grandmother had spoiled me with — Armenouhy made for me.  I think that my unembarrassed and enthusiastic consumption of it was appreciated by her, because not a week went by after that that she didn’t invite me back, feed me, and provide a warm home away from home.

“That is what it is to be Armenian.  As spread across the world as we are despite our small numbers, Armenians will welcome and provide comfort to other Armenians.

Perhaps this comes from the cruelties of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Armenians, to survive, had to leave their homeland for safer places.

“Whether from fear, pride, or tradition, Armenians work hard, contribute, and try hard where they settle.  They gather together to share their history, customs, language, and religion.  And food.  They support one another, because as a people they have been through much,” he concludes.

Sarah Tavitian, who works in business development at NewVue Communities in Fitchburg writes: “Being Armenian to me is about embracing the tremendous culture filled with lively music and dancing, a beautiful language, and delicious food. Above all else, the most meaningful part about being Armenian is the community. Fellowship with other Armenians is nothing short of being amongst family. Whether laughing together or crying together, being in company with other Armenians is a guaranteed environment of understanding, especially when reflecting on the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide.”

Members of the public are invited to special community events this week:

• Friday, April 19, 11 a.m.; the City of Fitchburg will raise the Armenian flag in front of City Hall’s Legislative Building , with remarks by Mayor Squailia, and a light reception of Armenian-style refreshments to follow.

• Sunday, April 21, 2 p.m.; Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day will be commemorated at Leominster Library, 30 West St. with stories, history, and food! Open to all.

Sally Cragin is the first Armenian-American City Councilor in north central Massachusetts.