I thought this was cool! Murray was constantly being updated on the European travels of my great-grandfather, Herond Nishan Sheranian during the Depression.
Enjoy the following newspaper clippings here:
Murray Eagle 1933-01-19 "Dr. H.N. Sheranian Will Study in Europe"
Murray Eagle 1933-02-16 "Dr. Sheranian in Vienna"
Murray Eagle 1933-06-18 "Dr. Sheranian Writes of European Conditions"
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Armenian Census
This information is straight from wiki.familysearch.org:
In 1867 the Turkish Council of State assumed jurisdiction over all population matters in Turkey (Armenian people currently under their rule).
In 1874 the Council introduced a law regarding census taking and the establishment of an accurate, permanent registration system covering men, women, and children. This new system merged the headcounts and population registration into a single system. The new system was based on three types of registers; the basic register [esas defter ] listing all males with a second column listing the family members; the summary [icmal ] listing the total number of people living in each town village or town quarter based on data from the town registers; and the daily events register [yevmiye vukuat ] which was to include records of births, marriages, deaths, and migrations into or out of each district.
Various political problems delayed the execution of this system althoughTurkey
The 1881/1883 census used several ethnic-religious categories for the Christian population, but all the Muslims continued to be counted as one homogeneous group despite the ethnic and linguistic differences among them.
In 1867 the Turkish Council of State assumed jurisdiction over all population matters in Turkey (Armenian people currently under their rule).
In 1874 the Council introduced a law regarding census taking and the establishment of an accurate, permanent registration system covering men, women, and children. This new system merged the headcounts and population registration into a single system. The new system was based on three types of registers; the basic register [esas defter ] listing all males with a second column listing the family members; the summary [icmal ] listing the total number of people living in each town village or town quarter based on data from the town registers; and the daily events register [yevmiye vukuat ] which was to include records of births, marriages, deaths, and migrations into or out of each district.
Various political problems delayed the execution of this system although
The 1881/1883 census used several ethnic-religious categories for the Christian population, but all the Muslims continued to be counted as one homogeneous group despite the ethnic and linguistic differences among them.
Possible Films Available (listed in the FHLC)
All films are listed in the Armenian language (frustrating for me). The title details include the available civil registration years as between 1865 and 1930. However, when clicking on “View Film Notes,” everything is listed in Armenian. Title: "Անձնական հաշվառման քարտեր կենսագրական տվյալներով," and I can’t make out which of the 45 possible films would be the correct ones pertaining to the time that our family was living in Zara,
But if the film notes are the correct ones, these are the ones available:
-VAULT INTL Film 2289757-2289763 All Item 1
-VAULT INTL Film 2291078-2291084
-VAULT INTL Film 2291089
-VAULT INTL Film 2286824-2286825
What is frustrating for me, is that even if I finally located these films, the fact that they are in Armenian is a HUGE obstacle for me--because not only do I not know the Armenian language/characters, but I don't even know what the names "Sheranian/Sherinian" or "Sivas" look like in Armenian script.
Other information that can be used to find birth/death records (or christening/burial records is more likely) are the Parish records that could be available. Considering Armenians were Christian, they probably had parish records which listed that information. Too bad (again), I can't read/write/speak Armenian.Armenia - General History
The information below is gathered from several sources including wikipedia, wiki.familysearch.org, and google (I know. I didn't do any hardcore research, but here are some basics about the country from which our family emigrated):
Occupationally, Armenians traditionally created beautiful works of art including rug weaving, metal work, and stone carvings. The intricate details of Armenia craftsmanship can be seen on historic buildings and monuments, and is still a form of income for many Armenians. Other occupations included coal mining and copper mining.
Side note here: Rebecca Nigogos Sherinian wove a rug and sent it to Salt Lake City in the late 1890s. Family tradition has it one of the rooms of the temple. It was later removed. Our family has no idea where it is now, although I would be much interested to find it just to have a picture.
Great-grandpa Herond Sheranian states in "Odyssey of an Armenian Doctor" that:
"Mother was considered to be the most expert of all rug weavers in all of Sivas County in Turkish Armenia which was then the center of the rug weaving industry...she sheared her own wool, made her own yarn, chose her own patterns, made her own colors...Apostle Lorenzo Snow of the [Latter-day Saints] Church wrote her a letter of gratitude for a large rug she wove and presented as a gift to the Temple in Salt Lake City, December 13, 1899."
Turkey , Syria , Greece Greece Greece today are refugees or descendants of those who fled Turkey into Greece in 1895–1896 and 1914–1918, as well as in the 1920s when the most Armenians settled in Greece
In 301 A.D., Armenia was the first sovereign nation to accept Christianity as a state religion. The Armenians later fell under Byzantine, Persian and Islamic hegemony, but reinstated their independence with the Bagragunti Dynasty kingdom of Armenia. After the fall of the kingdom in 1045, and the subsequent Seljuk conquest of Armenia in 1064, the Armenians established a kingdom in Cilicia, where they established cordial relations with the Europeans and prolonged their existence as an independent entity to 1375.
Greater Armenia was later divided between the Ottoman Empire and Russia. Armenians then suffered in the genocide that was inflicted on them by the Ottomans. From April 24th, 1915 until 1921, 1.5 million Armenians were killed, totaling almost 80% of the population, and the rest of the Western Armenians were dispersed throughout the world via Syria and Lebanon. Armenia, from then on corresponding to much of Eastern Armenia, once again gained independence in 1918, with the establishment of the Democratic Replublic of Armenia. From 1922-1991
Occupationally, Armenians traditionally created beautiful works of art including rug weaving, metal work, and stone carvings. The intricate details of Armenia craftsmanship can be seen on historic buildings and monuments, and is still a form of income for many Armenians. Other occupations included coal mining and copper mining.
Side note here: Rebecca Nigogos Sherinian wove a rug and sent it to Salt Lake City in the late 1890s. Family tradition has it one of the rooms of the temple. It was later removed. Our family has no idea where it is now, although I would be much interested to find it just to have a picture.
Great-grandpa Herond Sheranian states in "Odyssey of an Armenian Doctor" that:
"Mother was considered to be the most expert of all rug weavers in all of Sivas County in Turkish Armenia which was then the center of the rug weaving industry...she sheared her own wool, made her own yarn, chose her own patterns, made her own colors...Apostle Lorenzo Snow of the [Latter-day Saints] Church wrote her a letter of gratitude for a large rug she wove and presented as a gift to the Temple in Salt Lake City, December 13, 1899."
For requests for Armenian Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates:
Chief Department of Civil Registry
Ministry of Justice
8 Khorderdaran Street
(Cost is approximately $25.00 per certificate)
Address for Armenian National Library:
Armyanskaya Biblioteka
ul. Teriana 72
Yerevan 375009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Rebecca N. Sherinian - birthdate
Ok. Please help me discover the real birthdate of Rebecca Nigogos Sherinian!
It is so confusing!
Her death certificate could be considered a good source of information since it was filled out by her husband--however, we also have to take into consideration that she might have lied about her age while she was married, OR her parents lied about her age when she was married, making her older, or younger, depending on what they wanted.
I am going to say that I'm absolutely certain that Rebecca N.'s birthday month and day are definitely January 24th. The year, however, is the problem. We've got 1868, 1870, and 1873.
Should we trust 1873 on the the death certificate filled out by the husband, Nishan K.?
Or should we trust 1868 on the records of the oldest son and daughter of Rebecca N. and Nishan K.? I believe that these two records were the sources of the information used in both the AF and the IGI--so I am not counting them as additional sources proving that her birthday is in 1868.
Any thoughts? Comments? Additional information?
It is so confusing!
- AF - 24 Jan 1868 (The date initially submitted to familysearch.org)
- IGI - 24 Jan 1868 (The date used for temple ordinances).
- Odyssey of an Armenian Doctor - Cal 1868
- It is listed that she was married at 18 years old. If she was, and they were married on 23 Nov 1886, she was born in 1868.
- Personal History of Arick Kezerian - 24 Jan 1868
- It is listed that she was married at 16 years old. If she was, and they were married on 23 Nov 1886, she was born in 1870 [Cal].
- Death certificate - 24 Jan 1873 (This would make Rebecca 13 years old when she married Nishan!!)
- Death certificate calculated - Cal 24 Jan 1873
- Calculated with 1 Jan 1928 as the death date, and with age at death listed as 54 years, 11 months, and 7 days.
Her death certificate could be considered a good source of information since it was filled out by her husband--however, we also have to take into consideration that she might have lied about her age while she was married, OR her parents lied about her age when she was married, making her older, or younger, depending on what they wanted.
I am going to say that I'm absolutely certain that Rebecca N.'s birthday month and day are definitely January 24th. The year, however, is the problem. We've got 1868, 1870, and 1873.
Should we trust 1873 on the the death certificate filled out by the husband, Nishan K.?
Or should we trust 1868 on the records of the oldest son and daughter of Rebecca N. and Nishan K.? I believe that these two records were the sources of the information used in both the AF and the IGI--so I am not counting them as additional sources proving that her birthday is in 1868.
Any thoughts? Comments? Additional information?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Rebecca Nigogos Sherinian
Rebecca is the wife of Nishan Krikor Sherinian.
On familysearch.org there are a lot of different databases to search for individual names, such as the:
Ancestral File (AF)
Pedigree Resource File (PRF)
International Genealogical Index (IGI)
U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI)
Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)
These are only a few of the many different searchable databases available online.
In relation to Rebecca, in every database on familysearch.org, her birthdate is listed with a different year. It was so vexing! I didn't know what to put in my own PAF. Well, in searching different databases, I came across this website: archives.state.ut.us
Go to this website! You have to see what I found!
Type in the surname: Sheranian
It will come up with a list of names. The one that is relevant is:
Rebecca Sheranian (and Rebecca N Sheranian--they are the same)
You can also type in: Sherinian
It will come up with another list of names. The one that is relevant is:
George Sherinian
(The other Sheranian/Sherinian names ARE relevant, just not to the project I am doing right now for my Family History class.)
Click on the names, and you will see that you can click on an image of their Death Certificate!!
Hence, not only did I find the REAL birthdate of Rebecca Nigogos (it is 24 Jan 1873), but I found the information on George's death--his nickname was George, but his given name was Krikor Nishan Sherinian, a son born to Rebecca and Nishan Krikor in Sivas, Turkey just before they emigrated to Utah. If you can't read the death certificate, it says that he died from a pile of lumber falling on his neck at 3 years old! =( How devastating! I can't even imagine!
On familysearch.org there are a lot of different databases to search for individual names, such as the:
Ancestral File (AF)
Pedigree Resource File (PRF)
International Genealogical Index (IGI)
U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI)
Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)
These are only a few of the many different searchable databases available online.
In relation to Rebecca, in every database on familysearch.org, her birthdate is listed with a different year. It was so vexing! I didn't know what to put in my own PAF. Well, in searching different databases, I came across this website: archives.state.ut.us
Go to this website! You have to see what I found!
Type in the surname: Sheranian
It will come up with a list of names. The one that is relevant is:
Rebecca Sheranian (and Rebecca N Sheranian--they are the same)
You can also type in: Sherinian
It will come up with another list of names. The one that is relevant is:
George Sherinian
(The other Sheranian/Sherinian names ARE relevant, just not to the project I am doing right now for my Family History class.)
Click on the names, and you will see that you can click on an image of their Death Certificate!!
Hence, not only did I find the REAL birthdate of Rebecca Nigogos (it is 24 Jan 1873), but I found the information on George's death--his nickname was George, but his given name was Krikor Nishan Sherinian, a son born to Rebecca and Nishan Krikor in Sivas, Turkey just before they emigrated to Utah. If you can't read the death certificate, it says that he died from a pile of lumber falling on his neck at 3 years old! =( How devastating! I can't even imagine!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Interesting Tidbits (Nishan Krikor)
I found out something new about my great-great grandfather, Nishan Krikor Sherinian. I knew that he was married to Rebecca and emigrated to the United States with her. But I had no idea that after he died, he married a DIFFERENT Rebecca in France of all places! And this is during the time that he was translating the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price for the Church.
Marriages:
Spouse 1- Rebecca Nigogos Sherinian
Marriage: 23 Nov 1886 Zara, Sivas, Turkey
Sealing to Spouse: 25 Nov 1903 SLAKE
Spouse 2- Rebecca Taras Arabian
Marriage: 14 Sep 1929 Marseilles, Bouches-Du-Rhone, France
Sealing to Spouse: 21 Feb 1930 SLAKE
Book of Mormon, D&C, Pearl of Great Price Translations into Armenian:
(You can find these listings at book.google.com--type in the name Nishan Krikor Sherinian).
Title: Vartabedwovtivn yev wovkhdyer ar Hiswovs Khrisdosi Verzin-Avwovr Srpwotz Yegyeghyetzvwohn Author: Nishan Krikor Sherinian Type: Book, Armenian Publisher: Los Angeles, Hwovh H. Botchajyean, 1941. Available at: Brigham Young University, Yale University, Princeton University Notes: Doctrine and Covenants Translated into Armenian
Title: Myedzakin Markarid Author: Nishan Krikor Sherinian Type: Book, Armenian Publisher: Los Angeles, Hwovh H. Botchajyean, 1941. Available: Brigham Young University, Yale University, Princeton University Notes: Pearl of Great Price Translated into Armenian
Title: Mormoni Grkhin; Mez grkheroun anounnern ou kargr
Author: Nishan Krikor Sherinian Type: Book, Armenian Publisher: Los Angeles, Nishan K. Sherinian, 1937 Notes: Book of Mormon Translated into Armenian Available: BYU Libray, U of U, Weber State, Huntington Library Art & Botanical Garden, Glendale Public Library, UCLA Library, USC Library, UC Berkeley Library, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Library of Congress, Princeton University, Yale University.
These are some of the results on books.google.com. Nishan Krikor is mentioned in some of the books/newspapers listed:
-Young Woman's Journal: Organ of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations
By Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, Salt Lake City, Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations of Zion
Published by The Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations of Zion, 1901
Item notes: v. 12 (1901)
Original from the New York Public Library
Digitized Jun 16, 2008
(Nishan K. Sherinian mentioned on p51).
-The Latter-Day Saints Millennial Star
Published by P. Pratt, 1841
Item notes: v.62 (1900)
Original from Harvard University
Digitized Sep 24, 2008
(Nishan K. Sherinian mentioned on p 235 in 1841).
-Beehive History By Utah State Historical Society Published by Utah State Historical Society., 1997 Original from the University of Virginia Digitized Jan 10, 2008 (Nishan K. Sherinian mentioned on p10).
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Research Log Template
For those interested in research, it's really easy to lose information or forget where you got certain information! But it's really important to cite sources, especially considering church ordinances. So here is a template for keeping track of research! It is available as a pdf file on familysearch.org--where you can also download PAF and look up family records for free!
Interesting Tidbits (Herond)
I have been reading "Odyssey of an Armenian Doctor." It has been so much fun to read! According to my grandfather, Richard Sheranian, Grandpa Herond was an exaggerator, and may have twisted or exaggerated a lot of his book to "make it sell." But, here are the basics of some cool things about Grandpa Herond--if his book is even somewhat true.
I will keep a running list of interesting things about members of the Sheranian family.
Herond Nishan Sheranian
-Born in Armenia (Turkey at the time).
-Emigrated to USA in 1902 with his family.
-Graduated from Columbia University with a medical degree.
-Founded two different hospitals in Murray, UT which are still around today.
-Decided to specialize in opthamalogy.
-Studied under the two most famous eye doctors of the time in Vienna for two years.
-Saved the eye of a rich Indian Maharajah.
-Met and spoke with Gandhi.
I will keep a running list of interesting things about members of the Sheranian family.
Herond Nishan Sheranian
-Born in Armenia (Turkey at the time).
-Emigrated to USA in 1902 with his family.
-Graduated from Columbia University with a medical degree.
-Founded two different hospitals in Murray, UT which are still around today.
-Decided to specialize in opthamalogy.
-Studied under the two most famous eye doctors of the time in Vienna for two years.
-Saved the eye of a rich Indian Maharajah.
-Met and spoke with Gandhi.
Personal Autobiography of Arick Sheranian Kezerian
Arick Nishan Sheranian is the sister of Herond Nishan Sheranian. My freshman year at BYU, I found a copy of her personal autobiography in the Special Collections of the Harold B. Lee Library.
Title: Personal record and autobiography
Author: Arick Sheranian Kezerian
Published: 1950
W/help of: Nishan Herond Sheranian (son of Herond Nishan Sheranian).
Location: HBLL Special Collections, MSS 129, Zc 11/1/F 5 Box 352
Accessed: Friday, 16 January 2009 for pedigree charts.
Title: Personal record and autobiography
Author: Arick Sheranian Kezerian
Published: 1950
W/help of: Nishan Herond Sheranian (son of Herond Nishan Sheranian).
Location: HBLL Special Collections, MSS 129, Zc 11/1/F 5 Box 352
Accessed: Friday, 16 January 2009 for pedigree charts.
Odyssey of an Armenian Doctor
This is a self-published book written by my great-grandfather, Herond Nishan Sheranian, M.D. It was published in 1970. I personally have a copy of this Book of Remembrance. There is a lot information included: not just memories and feelings, but names and dates of family. There are no pedigree charts or family group records included. I've had to search for information page by page. I have added this information to my PAF file for the Sheranian family.
By the way, Herond Nishan changed the name from Sherinian (his birth surname) to Sheranian after his emigration to America. I have always been under the impression (secondary source from Grandpa Richard Sheranian) that he did so as a means of "Americanizing" our Armenian name. I should probably verify my vague memory of that explanation. =D
By the way, Herond Nishan changed the name from Sherinian (his birth surname) to Sheranian after his emigration to America. I have always been under the impression (secondary source from Grandpa Richard Sheranian) that he did so as a means of "Americanizing" our Armenian name. I should probably verify my vague memory of that explanation. =D
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