| Donelian family in 1920. Left to right: Armenouhi, Hrant, Ohannes, Khatchik, Avedis, Yeghsapet. The story told here (in exerpt), and photographs shown here (in part), are of the Donelian family. My paternal grandfather wrote the genealogy, introduction, biography of his father, and his own autobiography, in manuscript format, in Armenian, from memory, sometime after he, and his family, immigrated to America in 1920 (see the original Ellis Island: passenger record, ship manifest, ship photograph). Search the Ellis Island WALL OF HONOR. [Enter 'Donelian' in the 'Last Name' search box.] My grandfather's life was momentous. Considering the times in which he lived, it is absolutely miraculous that he survived ... the Turkish attrocities, earthquakes, fires, illness, sea voyages, thieves, the 1929 depression ... any one of which could have meant none of us being here today. As his first grandchild, he asked me, when I was a youth, to distribute, sometime in my lifetime, an English translation of the History of the Donelian Family to other Donelian family members. After many weeks of re-typing an English translation of the manuscript, which my uncle, Avedis, had done in the 1960's, and which I recently obtained the master copy of in May 2003, this I have done. So I have kept my promise to my grandfather. But further, I wish to share the story (in exerpt) and photos with the world wide web community. My brother, Armen, a professional pianist, has visited Armenia several times on Fulbright scholarships to better the lives of the Armenian people...so it seems God's love of Armenia comes full circle. In doing this web site project, two (to date!) amazing turn of events have recently occurred: (1) I have found, in France, Charles Donelian, the grandson of Garabed Donelian, my grandfather's brother, and (2) I have found, in Seattle, Washington, Minas Tanielian, grandson of Nourista Donelian, my grandfather's sister. And so, now I have two new cousins, and nieces and nephews, too!! Wow! The power of the Internet! If anyone viewing this site has background information on the photographer Vartan A. Hampikian, New York, who took these historical Armenia photographs in 1923, please contact me, as I would like to obtain more images taken by him, as well as attach a biography to his credits. I am very appreciative of the assistance of Rev. Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanyan, formerly of St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga, and Mr. Gerard Pederian, Toronto, Ontario, who have helped me in this web site project by translating my grandfather's original Armenian manuscripts, to correct errors and omissions made in the 1960's English translation. Further, I thank Dr. Berdj Artinian, M.D., Pathologist, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, who has helped me in this web site project by correcting omissions of medical terminology in the original 1960's English translation of my grandfather's original Armenian manuscripts. I further thank all those who have contributed and/or scanned photographs for use in this project. John Donelian April 2004, January 2005 Sound clip: Zepur (traditional Armenian song) |
