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Chicago Armenians

History of Chicago Armenians

As the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian community in the Chicago area approaches, we are collecting stories about each family to include in a book dealing with the history of Chicago Armenians. We are asking you to contribute to these stories. Please talk with family members and respond to these questions online or mail them to Professor Ann Lousin, UIC Law School, 300 S State Street, Chicago, IL 60604 by September 1, 2025. Thank you for your assistance with this project. Photos are also important to share, and they will be returned to you.
1.Name of person submitting information.
2.Email address
3.Telephone number in case we need to reach you
4.Family Name of Ancestor
5.City, town or village your ancestors came from
6.Approximate date the first ancestor arrived in Chicago.
7.Name of each family member,
Gender and age if known
Indicate if this person was a survivor of the Hamidean Massacres of 1892-1894 or of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.
8.Please write the story of their journey and how they made their way to Chicago and why they chose to live in the Chicago area.
9.Military: Please indicate if any members served in the U.S. military. Please give name, branch of service, dates of service, if you know when they served, rank, and medals earned. Include any stories or memories of their time in service.
10.Occupations: Please indicate what occupation your family members have or had, such as medical, educational, first responder, or business. Include any names of institutions or locations.
11.Are any of your members, or are you, a member, or attender of one of the Armenian churches in the Chicago area? If so, which one or ones? Please include why you chose that church, any activities such as baptisms, weddings, or funerals, and any special memories you have of that church.
12.Are any of your family members a member or attender of one of the Armenian cultural, educational, professional, social organizations or performance groups in the Chicago area? If so, which one or ones?
13.If you are not able to answer the specific facts asked in these questions, please include any memory of a grandparent or family member if you aren't sure of how they made it to Chicago Try to fill in as much as you remember.
14.Your name will not be included in the story of your family unless you ask us to do so.
Thank you for your assistance. We hope that you and your family will share many memories as you talk about this project.
Contact information: Leona Lousin Mirza email : Lmirza@northpark.edu or ALousin@UIC.edu
Telephone : 847-363-2415 Address : Professor Ann Lousin, UIC Law School 315 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604
Committee Members:
Debbie Der Assadourian
Alex Dayenian
Susan Erickson
Houri Gueyikian
Sandy Hitik
Ann Lousin
Susan Mardoian
Sam Mikaelian
Leona Mirza
Nishan Paparigian