Poochigian Family
Migration to America
From Perri, Armenia, Turkey
1896-1920

Index

  Introduction

  Hamparzoom Poochigian Dolabjian

  Almast "Alice" Poochigian Boyajian Melkonian

  Ardashes "Mike" Khachadoor Poochigian

  Bagdasar "John" Kazanjian Poochigian

  Bedros Sahag Poochigian

  Boghos "Paul" Minas Poochigian

  Dickran "Dick" Hagop Poochigian

  Garabed Sahag Poochigian

  Guiragos Kevork Poochigian

  Haratune "Harry" Sahag Poochigian

  Kerop Poochigian

  Kevork "George" Bedros Poochigian

  Khatoon Poochigian Topjian Poochigian

  Mardiros "Martin" Mikael Poochigian

  Mesrop "Dick" Khachadoor Poochigian

  Mikael Sahag Poochigian

  Sahag "Sam" Harutune Poochigian

  Sarkis Yeghasar Poochigian

  Tevatoros "Tom" Minas Poochigian

  Vartan Khachadoor Poochigian

  Garabed "Charles" Melkon Topjian 

Over one hundred years ago, our Poochigian ancestors began migrating to America from Perri, Kharpert in historical Armenia. They left their homeland to escape the massacre of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Turks. Leaving Turkey was just the first step of what was a long and hazardous journey to America.

Each Poochigian who headed to America began his/her journey on foot, donkeys, mules or wagons from Perri, through the rugged mountains, to a seaport such as Samson on the Black Sea. According to Dickran "Dick" Poochigian (b. 1921) some, like Vartan Poochigian (1883-1951) and Hovageem Melkonian (1881-1967), walked from the old country through Manchuria, China and Russia. Some Poochigians travelled to the United States and reached America's shores by steamships or sailing vessels.

Many Poochigian arrivals are recorded in surviving ship passenger lists. Ship manifests, along with family histories and old census, Bible, birth, death, naturalization, citizenship, church, military, property, and newspaper records, add rich biographical and genealogical details to the history of our Poochigian family migration to America. However, identifying our ancestor's historical documents can be very challenging because there are inconsistencies in family legends and reported facts, particularly relating to birth years and ages. Our family history will stand the test of time if it is based upon known or proven facts and evidence.

Although there are inconsistencies in documented data, the dates in this report are as they are shown on the original sources. However, some dates such as birth years do conflict because our ancestors who were born in Armenia often did not know exactly when they were born. Birth dates shown on death records tend to be less reliable sources than dates on Birth records because the source on a death certificate is a second person. United States naturalization and citizenship papers are considered important documents because the actual person signed the papers under sworn oath.

Mikael Sahag Poochigian
Ship Arrival - 1896

Mikael (1880 - after 1900), son of Sahag Mardiros, first arrived in the United States in 1896. According to the 1900 Census, Mikael, also called Mihran, worked as a waiter and lived with several Armenians in a boarding house on Common Street in Lawrence City, Massachusetts.

In the early 1900's, many Armenian males lived in crowded boarding houses along Common Street, and worked tirelessly to earn money to bring their wives and families to the United States. Most Armenians in Lawrence worked with wool and cotton as laborers in the textile mills. Others cooked, cleaned, and worked as day laborers.

Mikael returned to Armenia, and the Turks massacred him along with other Poochigian family members.

Bedros Sahag Poochigian (1876-1960), son of Sahag Mardiros, traveled to America in two stages. Bedros left Perri, Armenia in the late 1890's with the intention of sending for his wife Bahare Marderosian Poochigian (abt. 1876-1903) and two sons, Kevork (1896-1981) and Hovannes (abt. 1898-1900), who he left behind in Armenia.  

Bedros first traveled to Greece where he worked in Piraeus as a shoemaker to earn his passage to America. According to the SS Statendam Ship Manifest, Bedros paid his own passage to America and arrived at the Port of New York at the age of 24 on September 6, 1900. Bedros said that he was going to join a relative, his "brother, Mihran [Mikael], at 90 Common Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts.

When Armenians arrived in New York, most were too poor to open a business or purchase a farm. In 1900, Bedros arrived with only $3.50 according to the SS Statendam Ship Manifest. Immigration reports, dated 1912 say, "of the 14,583 Armenians arriving between 1889 and 1907, the average capital cash holding at dockside was $31.67, which was hardly enough to pay rent and buy food for a family for a month."

Before Bedros could afford to send for his family, his wife, Bahare, and son, Hovannes, died in Armenia. According to Bedros's grandson, George Poochigian, Jr., "Hovannes died when he choked at the age of about two. Bahare starved to death and died with a broken heart."  Bedros and his son, Kevork "George", were reunited after 14 years when Kevork arrived in America in 1913 and traveled to Fresno, California.

In Bedros's early years in America, he worked in the coal mines in the eastern part of the U.S., and later in the gold mines in San Bernardino County, California.

When Bedros earned enough money, he purchased a grape farm on Armstrong Avenue in the Lone Star area in Fresno, California. Bedros settled in Fresno because land was inexpensive and other Armenians had found success in farming in the San Joaquin Valley as early as 1881.

Historical records show that Bedros was the first Poochigian to settle in Fresno, California. Dick Poochigian (b. 1921) says that Bedros sponsored and helped many family members and Armenians migrate to America. According to the book titled "The History of the Armenians of Charsanjak, in 1956, Bedros Poochigian was one of the best representatives of the older generation from Charsanjak."

On May 2, 1908, Bedros married Mariam Chooljian Simonian (1883-1955) in Parlier, near Fresno, and they had seven children, Vaughn (1909-1996) Annie "Anne" 1911-1995), Araxie "Roxie" (1913-1968), Ruby (1914-1980), Vasken "Bill" (1917-1986), Servart "Grace" (1919), and Vartkes "Vernon" (1920), who were all born in Fresno.

Garabed Sahag Poochigian
Ship Arrival - Before 1901

Garabed (abt.1875-after. 1909), son of Sahag Mardiros, arrived in America through the Port of Boston before 1901. He returned to Armenia; and at the age of 33, Garabed re-entered the United States in 1909 [indicating he was born about 1876].

According to the SS La Bretagne Ship Manifest, Garabed re-entered the U.S. for the second time through the Port of New York on February 6, 1909. The SS La Bretagne Ship Manifest describes Garabed with brown hair and chestnut eyes, and shows his occupation as a Cultivator. Garabed said that he was going to join a relative in the U.S., "cousin, Harutian Nordigian, 9 Orchard Street, Worcester, Massachusetts." When Garabed arrived in the U.S. in 1909, he left behind his "Wife, Zaman Pachigian, Harpout, Armenia."

Garabed later went back to Armenia, and before he could return to America, the Ottoman Turks killed him and his family.

Harutune "Harry" Sahag Poochigian
Ship Arrival - 1907

Harutune (1885/1891-1918), son of Sahag Mardiros, was later often called "Harry" after he immigrated to the United States.   He arrived in New York on the SS La Touraine on July 27, 1907. He sailed from Havre, France on the same steamship as his cousins Kerop Yeghasar Poochigian and Tevatoros Minas Poochigian and brother, Hamparzoom Poochigian Dolabjian, all originally from Perri, Armenia.

According to the SS La Touraine Manifest, Harut was 22 at the time of his arrival in 1907. [indicating he was born about 1885]. Harut paid his own passage and arrived in America with $30.

The La Touraine Manifest describes Harut as married with chestnut hair, chestnut eyes, and 5 feet, 1 inch. His nearest relative in Armenia was "Mariam Pouchigian at Perry, Turkey, and he was travelling to join a "Brother in law, Ohanes Koozoian, on North 39th Street, New York."

On June 24, 1913, Harutune filed his U.S. Declaration of Intention to become an American Citizen, as "Harutune Poochigian born in Perry Armenia on the 15th of December 1891."   In his Declaration, he continues to say, "I emigrated to the United States of America from Havre, France on the vessel La Touraine; my last foreign residence was Perry, Turkey. It is my bona fide intention to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty and particularly to Mohammed Sultan of Turkey. I arrived at the port of New York in the State of New York, on or about the 27th day of July 1907. I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein So Help Me God."

Although Harutune survived the massacre, he was died in Fresno, California on July 25, 1918. His wife, Mariam Koozoian (1886-1953), and sons, Sahag "Sam" (1907-1952) and Suren "Frank," born in 1914, survived Harutune. Prior to Harutune's death, Mariam and Sahag were reunited with Harutune, after a six-year separation, when they arrived in the U.S. from Armenia in 1913. Harutune purchased a grape ranch on Armstrong Avenue in the Lone Star area in Fresno, California. They had two other children, Vasken (1916-1916) and Servart (1918-1918) who both died as infants in Fresno.

On August 2, 1997, Harutune's son, Suren "Frank" Poochigian was amongst the 100 family members who attended the Poochigian Family Camp & Reunion at Shaver Lake, California. Frank proudly said in a taped family history interview, "I'm the oldest Poochigian here."

Kerop Poochigian (1885 - aft. 1907), arrived in New York on the SS La Touraine from Havre on July 27, 1907. Compagnie Generale Transatlantique built the La Touraine, a French Line, in 1899, and many Armenians sailed on the steamship from Havre to New York from 1900 to 1922.

According to the SS La Touraine Ship Manifest, Kerop said that he was going to join a relative in the United States, "brother in law, B. Olopiguian, West 39th Street, New York." Kerop's nearest relative in Armenia was "Aghavani Pouchiguian at Perry, Turkey."

The Ship Manifest describes Kerop at age 22 [indicating his birth about 1885] as a married male with chestnut hair, blue eyes, and 5 feet 3 inches in height.

Tevatoros "Tom" Poochigian (1890 - 1982), son of Minas Boghos Poochigian traveled from Turkey to America with a group of Poochigians and other Armenians. Tevatoros's daughter, Grace Poochigian French (b. 1916) remembers her father talking about his trip to America. Grace says, "My father was the youngest of the group who traveled together from Kharpert to New York." She recalls her father saying, "The Poochigians had to hide behind rocks so the Turks could not find them. They walked through Turkey during the night and slept during the day to escape from the Turks."

Tevatoros Poochigian, also called Teva or Tom, arrived in New York on the SS La Touraine from Havre on July 27, 1907.   In Tevatoros's early years in America he helped build the Holland Tunnel that goes from the West Side of Manhattan Island, New York to the eastern edge of New Jersey. The tunnel, which opened in 1927, was the world's first, longest underwater mechanically ventilated tunnel.

As a Holland Tunnel construction worker, also known as "sandhogs," Tevatoros faced great danger. The greatest danger the workers faced was the bends. Workers had to pass through decompression chambers, much as divers do coming up from deep water.

Hilary "Gary" Poochigian (1943), Tevatoros's grandson, says, "My Grandpa use to talk about his hard labor job working on the Holland Tunnel. He broke rocks with a sledgehammer and sweat profusely in the extreme heat. Grandpa told us about how blood gushed out of his nose and ears."

On July 13, 1913, in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, Tevatoros married Aznive "Agnes" Avakian (1894-1984), also from Kharpert.  Aznive arrived in New York from Havre, France on the SS Chicago on July 13, 1913. According to the SS Chicago Ship Manifest, Aznive was going to join her "betrothed, J. Poochigian in Thomsonville, Connecticut" when she arrived in America.

Teva and Aznive had two children, Minas "James" Pasha (1914-1996) born in Thomsonville, Connecticut and Grace Lillian Poochigian French (b. 1916) born in Buffalo, New York.

The Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920 - Population taken in Binghamton City, Broom County, New York on January 10, 1920 shows Tevatoros, called Toros M. Poochigian (33) living at 162 Beethoven Street.  Listed with "Toros"  are his wife, Agnes M. (25); son, Minas T. (5); daughter Grace T. (3 1/2); brother, Paul M. (18); lodger, Dick [Dickran Hagop] Poochigian (30); and lodger, Mike [Ardashes Khachadoor] Poochigian (25).

Teva and Aznive opened their home in New York to many Poochigian family members. They all lived together under one roof, and Tevatoros, Paul, Dick and Mike Poochigian worked together in the factory at Endicott-Johnson Shoes. Endicott-Johnson had a reputation for treating their employees well, and company benefits included a free pair of shoes for everyone in the employee's family.

Hiliary Poochigian (1943) recalls Teva's talks with him, and says, "Grandpa's life changed drastically after he went to work at the shoe factory. He could finally afford to feed and clothe his family and had money to buy his first car."

Tevatoros later moved with his family to Fresno, California, and finally settled in the Los Angeles area. On May 27, 1957, he filed his United States Petition for Naturalization to become an American Citizen, as "Tevatoros Poochigian born on May 10, 1890, in Harport, Turkey." In Tevatoros's Petition, he states, "My lawful admission for permanent residence in the United States was at New York, New York on July 27, 1907 on the La Touraine."

In the Petition for Naturalization, Tevatoros describes himself as a male with a dark complexion, brown eyes, black hair at a height of 5 feet 1 inch and weight of 127 pounds.  In his Naturalization papers, Tevatoros petitioned that his name be changed to "Tom Poochigian." He signed his Oath of Allegiance in the U.S. District Court Southern District of California on May 27, 1957.

Teva died in Montebello, California in 1982 and Aznive died in Montebello in 1984.

Hamparzoom Poochigian Dolabjian (1887-1965), stepson of Sahag Mardiros Poochigian, arrived in America in 1907 according to the 1920 Census.  Ship arrival records show that Hamparzoom arrived in the United States through the Port of New York on the SS La Touraine on July 27, 1907. Hamparzoom, originally from Perri, Kharpert, Turkey, settled in Fresno, California just before 1920.

According to Hamparzoom's grandson, George Kaloostian, Hamparzoom was only one year's old when his birth mother, Anna Zakoian Dolabjian, married Sahag Poochigian. Sahag raised Hamparzoom like he was his own son.

In the early 1900's Hamparzoom married Aghavni Manoshakian. They had two children, Asadoor and Marie (1906-1981) in Armenia.

Hamparzoom is shown in the 1920 Census as a married male (37) who is living alone.  His occupation is shown as a Farmer and he owns his farm according to the Census.  According to Hamparzoom's grandson, George Kaloostian, Hamparzoom and Aghavni were separated for many years after the Turkish massacres in Armenia.

Hamparzoom purchased a grape ranch on Armstrong Avenue in the Lone Star area in Fresno, California. Hamparzoom passed away in 1965 in Fresno, California, and Aghavni died in 1981 in Fresno.

Mardiros Poochigian (1894-1989), son of Mikael Sahag, was often called "Martin" after he immigrated to the United States.  Mardiros arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the Haverford from Liverpool, England, on January 26, 1913. John Brown & Co Ltd., Glasgow built the Haverford for the American Line in 1901. After Mardiros Poochigian's voyage to America on the Haverford in 1912, the ship was used for British transport during World War I. In 1917, the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine off the West Coast of Scotland and was scrapped in 1925.

Mardiros filed his United States Declaration of Intention as "Mardiros Poochigian, AKA Martin Poochigian," with Turkish nationality" on September 28, 1943. He filed his United States of America Petition for Naturalization on October 19, 1945. Both the Declaration and the Petition describe Mardiros as a white male with a dark complexion, brown eyes, black hair, 144 pounds and a height of 5 feet, 9 inches.

In Mardiros's Petition for Naturalization, he says, "My occupation is Rubbish hauling. I was born on December 15, 1894 in Perry, Turkey. Mardiros continues to say, "My last place of foreign residence was Perry, Turkey. I emigrated to the United States from Liverpool, England. My lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States was at Philadelphia, Pa under the name of Mardiros Poochigian, now Martin, on August 13, 1972 on the SS Haverford."

In The Fourteenth Census of the United States: 1920 - Population taken in Fresno, California, Mardiros Poochigian is shown as the Head of the household, and his occupation is a Farmer who owns his own farm. Listed with Mardiros, 26, a single male from Harpoot, Armenia is Mary [Mariam] Poochigian, 34, Aunt; Sahanan [Sahag], 14, Cousin; and Suren [Frank], 5, Cousin. The 1920 Census shows that Mardiros migrated to the United States in 1912; Mary [Mariam] and "Sahanan" [Sahag] migrated to the U.S. from Harpoot, Armenia, in 1913, and Suren was born in California.

Mardiros married Arousig "Anne" Soukesian (b. 1905) from Kars, Turkey (Russia) on October 1, 1921 in Fresno, California. Arousig arrived in New York from Bremen, Germany on the SS Bremen on May 22, 1907.

Mardiros and Arousig had three children: Sirvart (1922-abt. 1922) born in Fresno and Margaret (b. 1927) and Gilbert (b. 1928) born in Los Angeles, California. Mardiros died in Fresno in 1889, and is survived by his wife Arousig "Anne," who lives in Fresno, California.

Ardashes "Mike" Khachadoor Poochigian
Ship Arrival - 1912

Ardashes Poochigian (1893-1970), son of Khachadoor Mardiros, arrived in America in 1912 according the 1920 Census taken in Binghamton City, New York on January 10, 1920.  Minnie Poochigian Caton says, "Once Uncle Ardashes arrived in the United States, he was always called "Mike" and his legal papers indicated this."

According to the Census, in 1920, Ardashes (Mike) and Dickran (Dick) Poochigian (1889-1977) lived with Tevatoros Poochigian and his family in Binghamton, New York and worked at the Endicott-Johnson Shoes factory.

Ardashes married Victoria (1900-1976) in the early 1920's and had two children, Khachadour "Albert" (1923-1976) and Margaret. They lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they raised their children. Ardashes died in 1970; Victoria passed away in 1976.

In an interview in August, 1998, Margaret Poochigian Palouian (b. 1928), Ardashes's daughter, said, "My father saved Auntie Nazlie's life and the lives of other Poochigians. He helped them escape from Turkey and come to America." Margaret continued to say, "He was very loving and liked to take care of everybody. He would do anything for his kinfolk."

In an interview with Haig Palouian, Margaret's husband, in August, 1998, Haig recalled, "Ardashes was a wonderful, wonderful guy. His wife, Victoria was also wonderful. Ardashes really loved his grand children. He liked to take them for walks and to the ice cream store."

Guiragos Kevork Poochigian
Ship Arrival - Abt. 1912

Guiragos Kevork Poochigian (1870-1915) travelled to the America around 1912.  Minnie Poochigian Caton (b. 1925) says, "My grandfather, Guiragos Poochigian, came to the United States around 1912 and returned shortly to Armenia, Turkey and was murdered by the Turks." 

According to the book titled "The History of the Armenians of Charsanjak," Guiragos Poochigian is called one of the "most well-known representatives of Charsanjak." Guiragos, who was born and educated in Perri, Charsanjak, was one of the first Armenians captured by the Turks during the 1915 genocide.  He was put in jail and tortured.  In spite of the torture, Guiragos survived until he was eventually killed, along with 15 other Armenians, on the Mouzour Bridge.

According to "The History of the Armenians of Charsanjak," because of his hard work and honesty, Guiragos Poochigian gained the respect and love of the people from Perri and also the Armenians in disporea.  Prior to World War I, Guiragos was a leader in educating the new generation in Perri.  He also kept a close eye on the liberation activities going on at the time and kept in contact with well-known Armenians in disporea.

Guiragos Poochigian was the son of Kevork Poochigian.  Guiragos and his wife, Badaskan Ohanian, had one child,  Bagdasar (John) Poochigian (1893-1963) who was born in Perri, Charsanjak.   Following Badaskan's death, Guiragos married Margret Michaelian, and they had three children: Armenouhy Poochigian Kalafian/Medzigian (1903-1994), Souren Poochigian (1912-1957) and Kegham Poochigian (1914-1981), who were all born in Perri, Charsanjak.

Kevork Poochigian (1896-1981), son of Bedros Sahag, arrived in America as "Kevork Pootrigian" on the Steamship Dominion at Portland, Maine on January 26, 1913. After Kevork immigrated to the United States, he was often called "George."

The Steamship Dominion was originally built in 1893 by Harland & Wolff of Belfast as the "Prussia" for the German Hamburg - America Line. Between 1908 and 1915, the Steamship Dominion carried passengers between Liverpool, England and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and it was scrapped in Germany in 1922.

The Fourteenth Census of the United States: 1920 - Population taken in Fresno County, California, shows Kevork called George Poochigian (24) living with Bedros and Mary Poochigian on Armstrong and Jensen Avenues in Fresno.

According to the 1920 Census, George was the son of Bedros, and he was born in "Harpoot, Armenia."   The Census shows that George had Alien Status in 1920, and he first arrived in the United States in 1913.

In January 1923, Kevork made a Declaration of Intention to become an American citizen in the Superior Court of Fresno, California. Kevork moved to Los Angeles in the mid 1920's and refilled his United States of America Declaration of Intention in Los Angeles, California on October 14, 1932. He filed the Declaration as "Kevork Bedros Poochigian born in Perry, Turkey on December 20, 1896."

In his Declaration of Intention he says, "My last foreign residence was Perry, Turkey. I emigrated to the United States of America from Liverpool, England. My lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States was at Portland, Maine under the name of Kevork Pootrigian on January 26, 1913 on the vessel 'Dominion' . . . So Help Me God."

In Kevork's Declaration, he shows his occupation as a "Groceryman," and describes himself as white with a medium complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair, 165 pounds and a height of 5 feet, 6 inches.

On March 25, 1935, Kevork filed his United States of America Petition for Citizenship in Los Angeles, California and took his Oath of Allegiance on July 12, 1935.

Kevork married Dickranouhi Sagerian (1904-1996) on November 4, 1922 in Fresno, California. Dickranouhi migrated from Adabazar, Turkey and arrived on the SS Pannonia at Boston, Massachusetts in April or May 1921. Kevork and Dickranouhi had three children: John George (b. 1923); Queenie Phyllis (b. 1925) and George Bedros Jr., (b. 1934). Kevork passed away in Montebello, California in 1981, and Dickranouhi died in Whittier, California in 1996.

Recently, in 1998, Kevork's son, John Poochigian (b. 1923), along with John's wife, Ellen Keshish Poochigian (b. 1925), and cousin, Ruth Poochigian (b. 1946) traveled to Kharpert and the village of Perri, the place where their fathers were born. Ruth is the daughter of Boghos "Paul" Poochigian (1905-1949).

Boghos Poochigian (1905-1949), son of Minas Boghos, arrived at the port of New York from Havre, France on the SS Chicago on June 29, 1913. At the age of 8, Boghos traveled to America with Aznive Avakian, the betrothed (wife to be) of Boghos's brother, Tevatoros, who was already in New York. After Boghos immigrated to the United States, he was often called "Paul."

According to the SS Chicago Ship Manifest, Boghos was going to America to join his "brother, T. Poochigian, Box 407, Thomsonville, Connecticut." The SS Chicago was a French ship built by Chantiers Ateliers de St Nazaire in 1908.

The SS Chicago Ship Manifest shows that Boghos Poochigian and Aznive Avakian were "Held for Special Inquiry" for four days after they arrived in New York on June 29, 1913.  Grace Poochigian French (b. 1916), the granddaughter of Aznive and niece of Boghos, says, "They held Boghos and my grandmother on the ship because Boghos was not travelling with his own mother. They were going to send Boghos back until my father went to the ship and convinced them that he was going to marry my grandmother, and they were going to take care of Boghos." Tevatoros and Aznive raised Boghos just like their own son in New York.

Boghos "Paul" went to work at a very early age. He worked at the Endicott-Johnson Shoes factory in New York along with other Poochigians: Tevatoros (1890-1982), Ardashes (1893-1970), and Mesrop (1885-1964).

Grace Poochigian French (b. 1916) recalls her father Tevatoros talking about Paul's work when Paul was very young. Grace recalled, "They had to put a box under Paul's feet so he was tall enough and looked old enough to work."

On February 19, 1935, Boghos filed his United States Declaration of Intention as "Boghos Poochigian born on June 2, 1905 in Harpoot, Turkey." In Boghos's Declaration, he states, "I emigrated to the United States of America from Havre, France and my lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States was at New York under the name of Boghos, Puchigian on July 29, 1913."

In Boghos's Declaration of Intention, he describes himself as a white male, with medium complexion, brown eyes, black hair, 5 feet, 4 inches, and 150 pounds.

On August 20, 1937, Boghos Poochigian renounced his citizenship to the Republic of Turkey in his United States of America Petition for Naturalization and he took his Oath of Allegiance to the U.S.A. In Boghos's Petition, he shows his birth as June 2, 1905 in Harpoot, Turkey, his residence in Los Angeles, California, and his occupation as a Grocery Clerk.

In the 1920's, Boghos headed west to California. "He first went to Reedley and then to Los Angeles where he opened a produce stand called the East Ninth Street Market in downtown Los Angeles," says Boghos's daughter, Janice Poochigian Oetken (b. 1943). Janice continues to say, "My father met my mother, who was living in Fresno, in the early part of 1930. My father drove to Fresno every weekend for two years and courted my mother before they got married in Fresno."

Boghos "Paul" and Serpoohi "Dorothy" Shamdanjian (1910-1991) were married on July 23, 1932 in Fresno, California. Serpoohi, born in Constantinople, Turkey, arrived in New York on the SS Olympic on December 10, 1913.

Paul and Dorothy had three children, Ernest Paul (b. 1940), Janice Elaine (b. 1943) and Ruth Lorraine (b. 1946), who were all born in Los Angeles. When Paul died in Los Angeles in 1905, Dorothy and the kids moved to Mooseheart, Illinois. Dorothy passed away in Fresno, California in 1991.

Sarkis Poochigian (1892-1974), son of Yeghasar Boghos, arrived in New York from Havre, France on the SS Rochambeau on November 11, 1913.

The SS Rochambeau was built by Chantiers & Ateliers de St Nazaire, St. Nazaire in 1911 for Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, a French line, and was scrapped in 1933.

According to the SS Rochambeau Ship Manifest, Sarkis was 20 and single when he arrived in New York in 1913. Sarkis lists his birthplace as Perri in Ottoman Armenian Turkey and his occupation as Farmer.

The Ship Manifest describes Sarkis with brown hair, brown eyes and 5 feet 3 inches in height. Sarkis left behind his "mother, Khatoun Pouchigian in Perri, Turkey." He was traveling to join "Kerop Pouchigian [his brother] at 107 1/2 Clinton, Binghamton, New York."

Sarkis and his cousin, Mesrop (1885-1964) volunteered as Armenian Legionnaires under the French flag and the leadership of General Antranig during World War I. They were called "Gamavour" or volunteers.

Dickran "Dick" Poochigian (b. 1921) said, "Sarkis and Mesrop [Dick's father] were the two Poochigians who volunteered to fight the Turks with the French Army during World War I."  Dickran explained, "more than 2,000 Armenians went to fight the Turks. "Sarkis got part of his thigh blown off when he went back to fight in Armenia," continued Dick. According to the Zoryan Institute, France, Sarkis Boojikian, Legionnaire #835, was born in Perri/Kharpert, and he was recruited into the Legion D'Orient from Binghamton, New York.  (See "Sarkis Boojikian" http://members.aol.com/Gaghjayan/legionb.htm )

Sarkis Poochigian married Osanna Shakarian (1902-1972), and they had two sons, Bergh Sarkis (1921-1945) and Ben Sarkis (b. 1924).

Sarkis and Osanna's son Bergh died during World War II. According to a Fresno newspaper article dated June 1945 and titled, Fresno Soldier Gives Life in Okinawa While Fighting, "The war department has notified Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis Poochigian, who live on Willow Avenue and Highway 99, their son, Private Bergh Poochigian, 24, was killed in action on Okinawa June 12th. He was with the 27th Infantry Division."

The newspaper article dated June 1945 continues, "Poochigian entered the Army last August and was sent overseas in January. He took his training at Camp Roberts. Before entering the service he was employed in the Mare Island Shipyard. Prior to that he worked in the Fresno Service Body Works. A native of Fresno, he graduated from the Fresno Technical High School. Besides his parents, he is survived by his widow, Mrs. June Poochigian, and a daughter, Janet June Poochigian of Vallejo, and a brother Dan Poochigian, Fresno."

Sarkis Poochigian passed away in Fresno, California in 1945 and Osanna died in 1972.

Sahag Poochigian (1907-1952), son of Harutune "Harry" Sahag, arrived in America in 1913 according the 1920 Census. After Sahag immigrated to the United States, he was often called "Sam."

In 1920, Sahag, his mother Mariam, and brother Suren "Frank" were living with Mardiros Poochigian on his farm in Fresno, California.  They went to live with Mardiros after Sahag's father, Harutune Poochigian died in 1918.

Sahag married Anna Thomasian (1908-1977) on May 15, 1937.  Sahag and Anna had a son, Harry Sam (b. 1938) in Fresno, California.   They owned a farm on Jensen Avenue in Fresno.

Sahag passed away on May 25, 1952 in Fresno.

Bagdasar "John" Kazanjian Poochigian
Ship Arrival - 1913

Bagdasar Kazanjian Poochigian (1893-1963), son of Guiragos Kevork Poochigian and Badaskan Ohanian, arrived on the SS Haverford in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 6, 1913.  According to his daughter, Minnie Poochigian Caton (b. 1925), Bagdasar was met by his cousin, Ardashes Poochigian, who arrived in America in 1912. "After my dad arrived in America, his  name was always John," says Minnie.   Bagdasar's middle name, Kazanjian, is the family name of the Poochigians before the name was changed from Kazanjian to Poochigian in the early 1800's.

Bagdasar married Sarah DerGarabedian on January 12, 1912, in Perri, Armenia, says Minnie Poochigian Caton in an interview in February, 2000.  She continues, "Shortly after my mother and father were married, my father left to establish residency in the United States.  He planned to send for my mother; however, this did not happen and they were separated from each other until my mother arrived in the United States in 1925. Then I was born." They had two children, Armenouhy (Minnie) Poochigian Caton (b. 1925) and Arsen Poochigian (1930-1982), who were both born in Binghamton, New York.  Sarah worked at the Endicott Johnson Corporation shoe factory according to her daughter, Minnie Poochigian Caton.  At one time, Bagdasar considered moving to California where many Poochigians had already settled. "Bagdasar came out to California and stayed about one year, but he went back to New York" says Dick Poochigian (b. 1921) in an interview in 1997.

Bagdasar passed away in 1963 in Binghamton and Sarah in 1967 in Binghamton.

Garabed "Charles" Melkon Topjian
Ship Arrival - After 1913

Garabed Topjian (1897-1987), son of Melkon Topjian and Mariam Poochigian, arrived in America sometime after 1913.  When he left the village of Perri in Turkish occupied Armenia, he left his pregnant wife, Hirepseme (Helen) Besherian Poochigian (Abt. 1897 - Abt. 1962), son Melkon Jr. (Abt. 1913-Abt. 1920) with the intention of sending for them to join him.  Sadly, both Melkon Jr., and the baby boy died before Garabed and Hirepseme were later reunited in New York.

After Garabed immigrated to the United States, he was often called "Charles."  Garabed and Hirepseme had two daughters, Mary Topjian Price (b. 1921) and Amy Topjian Goshgarian (1925-1997), who were both born in New York and a third son, who did not survive.  The Topjian family later moved to Fresno, California, where Garabed thought of going into farming as his Poochigian cousins had done.  Instead of becoming a grape rancher, Garabed became a very successful tailor in Fresno.

Mesrop Poochigian (1885-1964), son of Khachadoor Mardiros, arrived in New York before 1914. After Mesrop immigrated to the United States, he was often called "Dick."

In an interview with Mesrop's son, Dickran Poochigian (b. 1921) in 1997, Dickran said "to make his passage, my father shoveled coal and fired boilers on a steamer across the Atlantic Ocean. Because they didn't wear dark glasses, my father had swollen, 'pink' eyes. When he arrived in New York, they put him on Ellis Island for about six months because of his problem with his eyes. From Ellis Island, Mesrop went to Binghamton, New York." Dick continued to say, "my father later worked in a silver buffing mill in Bridgeport, Connecticut."

Dick explained, "my father, Mesrop, and Sarkis were the two Poochigians who volunteered to fight the Turks with the French Army during World War I. According to the Zoryan Institute, France, Mesrob Boojikian, Legionnaire #834, was born in Perri/Kharpert, and he was recruited into the Legion D'Orient from Binghamton, New York.   (See "Mesrob Boojikian" http://members.aol.com/Gaghjayan/legionb.htm)

Mesrop married Rebecca "Agavni" Nervanian, and they had one son, Dickran "Dick" Poochigian (b. 1921.)   In 1997, Dick Poochigian, when thinking about his childhood, said, "I was born in Frank Poochigian's barn where I lived with my father and mother."  Frank Poochigian added, "Dick was right next to the cows, a mule and a horse."  Dick continued, "Barns were built for animals.  There were no tractors.  The hay loft was in the back and they partitioned off a section to make a room where we lived. I wore Frank's old hand-me-down clothes.  Bedros Poochigian and his family lived next door in their tank house." "Nine months after Dick Poochigian was born, they found out my mother had Tuberculosis" Dick Poochigian continued to say. Mesrop died in 1964 in Fresno and Rebecca passed away in 1972 in Fresno.

Dickran "Dick" Hagop Poochigian
Ship Arrival - 1914
&
Khatoon Topjian Poochigian
Ship Arrival - Abt. 1920

Dickran Poochigian (1889-1977), son of Hagop Mardiros, arrived in America in 1914 according the 1920 Census. Dickran left Armenia with the intention of sending for his wife Khatoon Topjian Poochigian (1897-1987), who he married in 1911, and their daughter, Araxie Poochigian (Abt. 1912-1917).   Unfortunately, Dickran and Khatoon lost contact with each other and were not reunited until seven long years later in New York.  After Dickran immigrated to the United States, he was often called "Dick."

Khatoon Topjian Poochigian, daughter of Melkon Topjian and Mariam Poochigian. (Mariam Poochigian was a second cousin of Dickran Poochigian because their grandfathers, Boghos Poochigian and Mardiros Poochigian were brothers.) After Dickran travelled to America, Khatoon and their daughter, Aznive, left their village of Perri in Turkish occupied Armenia. They travelled with Vartan Poochigian (1883-1951), Almast Poochigian Boyajian (1889-1966) and Almast's children, Boghos Boyajian (Bef. 1907- Abt. 1997) and Nazlie Boyajian Kojigian (1908-1990) to Yerevan.  Vartan dressed in a disguise as a woman and escorted Khatoon, Almast and their children to Yerevan. As they travelled, they struggled to find food and survive.  Roxie Poochigian Elmassian (b. 1924) recalls her mother Khatoon talking about how hungry they were during this period.   Roxie says, "They had nothing to eat.  They ate roots and grass to survive.  My sister Araxie was so weak and she was not strong enough to survive a flu epidemic.  My mother said she cried over the loss of Araxie until her next child, Ruby, was born in 1921."  Roxie Poochigian Elmassian was named after her older sister, Araxie, who died at the age of about 5 years old.

Khatoon, Almast and their surviving children later went to France and lived in an orphanage.  Vartan, along with Hovageem Melkonian (1881-1967), walked from the old country through Manchuria, China and Russia to Japan. They worked aboard a Japanese ship to pay for their passage to San Francisco, California, in 1920.

The Census taken in 1920 shows Dickran Poochigian, along with his cousin Ardashes Poochigian (1893-1970) living with Tevatoros and Aznive Poochigian in Binghamton, New York.  Dickran, Ardashes, Tevatoros and Paul Poochigian all worked at the Endicott-Johnson Shoes factory.

Dickran and Khatoon had lost contact for seven years.  During the seven-year period, Dickran never gave up hope and he continued to search for Khatoon in notices published by the AGBU in New York. An AGBU center in France sent a list of Armenian survivors in French orphanages to the AGBU center in New York.  Dickran located Khatoon's name on the list, and he sent for her.  Dickran and Khatoon were finally reunited when Khatoon arrived at Ellis Island in late 1920 or early 1921. Upon her arrival in New York, they travelled by train to Fresno, California, where other Poochigian family members had already settled.  "Dickran first worked on the Koligian ranch on McKinley Avenue," says Dick Poochigian (b. 1921) in an interview in 1997. Later, Dickran and Khatoon purchased a grape ranch close to the ranches of other Poochigian family members in the Lone Star area in Fresno. 

Dickran and Khatoon had four more children, Ruby (Koohar) Poochigian Hamparzoomian (b. 1921), Jack Hagop Poochigian (1922-1997), Roxie (Araxie) Poochigian Elmassian (b. 1924) and LaVerne (Varsenig) Poochigian Sarkisian (b. 1931), who were all born in Fresno, California. Dickran passed away in 1977 and Khatoon in 1987 in Fresno.

Almast "Alice" Poochigian Boyajian Melkonian
Ship Arrival - 1920

Almast Poochigian Boyajian Melkonian (1889-1966), daughter of Khachadoor Poochigian and Anna Eknoian arrived in New York about 1920.   After Almast immigrated to the United States, she was often called "Alice."

Almast, along with her children Boghos Boyajian (Bef. 1907- Abt. 1997) and Nazlie Boyajian Kojigian (1908-1990), travelled with Khatoon Topjian Poochigian (1897-1987) and Vartan Poochigian (1883-1951) from the village of Perri in Turkish occupied Armenia to Yerevan in about 1914.  Almast, Khatoon, and their surviving children later went to France and lived in an orphanage.  Vartan, along with Hovageem Melkonian (1881-1967), walked from the old country through Manchuria, China and Russia to Japan. Vartan & Hovageem worked aboard a Japanese ship to pay for their passage to San Francisco, California, in 1920.

Hovageem Melkonian, along with Vartan Poochigian, arrived in San Francisco, California on the West Coast of the United States on January 14, 1920.  They sailed on the S.S. Tenyo Maru from Yokohama, Japan, on December 29, 1919.  According to the ship manifest of passengers on the S.S. Tenyo Maru, Hovageem (spelled Ovagim) was 38 and is listed as an Armenian who was born in Harpoot, Armenia.  His occupation is listed as a "laborer," and he was able to read and write Armenian and English at the time he arrived in the United States.  Hovageem's last permanent address is shown as "Vladivostok, Siberia, Russia," and the name of "the nearest relative or friend in the country whence alien came" is the "American Red Cross, Vladivostok, Russia."   Hovageem's final destination is shown as "Fresno, California" and the name of the relative he was going to join is listed as his "Uncle Bedros Putigian (Poochigian), P.O. Box 402, Fresno, California."

"Mesrop Poochigian, Almast's brother, brought Almast to America in 1920" says Dick Poochigian (b. 1921), Mesrop's son, in an interview in 1997. During the Armenian massacres, Almast Poochigian Boyajian's husband was killed.  Almast and Hovageem Melkonian were married several years later in Fresno, California around 1923. Almast and Hovageem Melkonian settled on a farm near other Poochigians in Fresno, California. They had one child, Suren Melkon Melkonian (1926-1929) who was born in Fresno.  Almast passed away in 1966 and Hovageem in 1967 in Fresno.

Vartan Poochigian (1883-1951), son of Khachadoor Mardiros, arrived in San Francisco, California on the West Coast of the United States on January 14, 1920.   He sailed, along with Hovageem Melkonian and Rupen Shirinian, on the S.S. Tenyo Maru from Yokohama, Japan, on December 29, 1919.  According to the ship manifest of passengers on the S.S. Tenyo Maru, Vartan Poochigian (spelled Putigian) was 42 and is listed as an Armenian who was born in Harpoot, Armenia.  His occupation is listed as a "butcher," and he was able to read and write Armenian and English at the time he arrived in the United States.  Vartan's last permanent address is shown as "Vladivostok, Siberia, Russia," and the name of "the nearest relative or friend in the country whence alien came" is the "American Red Cross, Vladivostok, Russia."  Vartan's final destination is shown as "Fresno, California" and the name of the relative he was going to join is listed as his "Uncle Bedros Putigian (Poochigian), P.O. Box 402, Fresno, California."

When Vartan left his village of Perri, in Turkish occupied Armenian around 1914, he escorted his cousins Khatoon Topjian Poochigian (1897-1987), Almast Poochigian Boyajian (1889-1966), Almast's children, Boghos Boyajian (Bef. 1907- Abt. 1997) and Nazlie Boyajian Kojigian (1908-1990) to Yerevan.  Vartan dressed in a disguise as a woman and escorted Khatoon, Almast and their children to Yerevan.

Dickran "Dick" Poochigian (b. 1921) said in an interview, " Vartan Poochigian and Hovageem Melkonian walked from the old country through Manchuria, China and Russia. They were young guys trying to get away from the Turks."  Dick continued, "They knew they were going to get massacred by the Turks, so they started walking.  Vartan, along with Hovageem Melkonian, walked east all the way to Russia. It took the young men nine months to walk through Vladivostok, Siberia, Russia to Yokohama, Japan, where they boarded the S.S. Tenyo Maru to San Francisco. With the generous help of the American Red Cross, Vartan and Hovageem survived their ordeal and safely made their way to Japan and America. Vartan worked as a "butcher" and Hovageem worked as a "laborer" aboard the Japanese ship to pay for their passage to San Francisco, California on the west coast of the U.S.A.

When Vartan left the village of Perri, he left a wife and two young children he intended to send for when he arrived in America.  Sadly, Vartan later learned from a former neighbor from Perri that his wife and children were captured by the Turks and they died on a "death march," explained Margaret Poochigian Conkle in an interview in August, 1997.

In his 1997 interview, Dick Poochigian explained, "In the 1920's, Vartan went to Cuba to find a wife. There were a lot of single Armenian girls in Cuba, and they couldn't get into America. The only way they could get into America was to marry an Armenian who lived in America. Vartan went to Cuba, married [Seranooch Zakarian] and brought her over."  Margaret Conkle asked Dick Poochigian, "What did Seranooch look like?" Dick responded, "She was beautiful and was a real jewel.  She was kind and she use to cater to me.  She had a voice and could sing. Dick continued, "I lived with them in a red house on the corner of Church and Fowler in Fresno for about 2 1/2 years.  Seranooch use to cough a lot and she died of Tuberculosis [in 1929]."

On June 12, 1939, Vartan married Adrine Anbasagian in Fresno, California.  They had three children, Margaret Poochigian Conkle (b 1940), Vartan JonvartJon Poochigian (b. 1942) and George Nazaret K. Poochigian (b. 1943), who were all born in Fresno, California.  They were raised on a grape farm on Fowler Avenue in the Sunnyside area of Fresno. 

Vartan was naturalized (Certificate No. 2476101) on January 12, 1927, in Fresno, California. 

According to Adrine Poochigian's Petition for Naturalization, 1935, Adrine arrived in New York, New York, from Cherbourg, France, on the Europa on March 18, 1938.  Prior to travelling to America, Adrine's last place of residence was Paris, France. At the time of Adrine's arrival in the United States in 1938, her name was Adrine Bebrossian, from her previous marriage. She had one son, Jan (Jean) Antranis Varoujan (Koyoungian) Sayan (b. 1927) who was born and continued to live in Paris, France. The two witnesses of Adrine Poochigian's Petition for Naturalization in 1953 are Mrs. Mary Poochigian, Housewife, Route 3, Box 372, Fresno, California, who first met Adrine in June, 1939, and Mr. Hovagim Melkonian, Farmer, Route 1, Box 86, Sanger, California, who first met Adrine in June, 1939. In 1953, Adrine described herself as 35 years old, female, white race, white color, , light complexion, Armenian nationality, blue eyes, dark blond hair, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 120 lbs. and with a scar on her right cheek.

Vartan passed away in 1951 in Fresno, California, and Adrine died in 1997 in Fresno.

Last Updated 07/09/2000