Postcard #9

Postcard

-

MGK Collection

Name/Title

Postcard #9

Description

15/11/1925, Sepastia My dear Parants (Parantsem) At present I confirm my 11 gold coins/banknotes - It will have been received – after receiving the 100 gold coins/banknotes dated October 27. Or not? You didn’t let us know about the expenses. Two days ago, Marik (?) gave birth to a girl. She and the little one are doing well. Yesterday, we received some news from ??? (a name that starts with Ar) that informed us about Nshan's worsening health (assuming that's what "ղայից" means). This caused us pain and surprise. Especially because under what circumstances the worsening in health come down, or did something happened to him. Not knowing what happened makes us think even more about it (assume the worst). You know, according to what Zarik wrote, to free at least part of the earnings, somehow, I had sent 400 gold coins for Nshan. That money must have already been received by Nshan ...(the ink has disappeared in this part).. Did the policeman take Vahe.. (not legible)... Don't forget to write to us. We are all safe and well, and we send our regards to all of you with lots of longing. Don't deprive us of your letters, and write in details about Nshan's words/situation(?) so that we can also know. To free the ordinary earnings/receivables, I think we will be forced to send money a second time so that the first amount sent does not go completely to waste. Mihran

Category

Postcards

Postcard Details

Place Published

* Untyped Place Published

Sivas

Date Published

Nov 15, 1925

Stamp

Sivas

Sender

Mihran Shahinian sent from Tashhan (Taşhan), Sivas

Addressee

Name

Parantsem Gazaryan Hanim

Address

Street
No. 89 Feridiye Street (Caddesi)
City
Beyoğlu
State/Province
Istanbul

Web Links and URLs

Avo Gazal collection - NY, USA

General Notes

Note Type

General Note

Note

The letter was written by Mihran Shahinian, the brother of the addressee, Parantsem Ghazarian (née Shahinian). During the Armenian Genocide, Mihran supported Parantsem after she fled with her infant sons, Norair and Hrair, to Kangal. He helped her return to Sivas, where she worked at an American orphanage led by Mary Louise Graffam. Their father, Hagop Pasha Shahinian, was a prominent representative from Sivas in the first Ottoman Parliament (1877–1878). Mihran was also the father of Maryam Shahinian (1911-1996), the renowned photographer who is considered the first woman studio photographer in Turkey. The family moved to Istanbul via Samsun leaving behind assets such as the Shahinian Konak, five flour mills, and large amounts of real estate. A photography enthusiast himself, Mihran eventually became a partner in the Galatasaray Photography Studio in the Beyoğlu district. Maryam began working with him there, which ultimately launched her successful photography career. Parantsem Ghazarian was born in Sivas in 1893. She graduated from the national Hripsimian school in Sivas on June 25, 1909, finishing the academic year with high marks (the highest being 10). Her diploma was signed by Torkom Archbishop Koushagian, then the prelate of the Armenians in Sivas, who later became the Armenian Patriarch in Jerusalem. The diploma was printed at the Jemil printing house in Samson. Parantsem married Avedis Ghazarian in October 1909. During the genocide, Avedis was killed, but Parantsem survived and fled with her sons. With Mihran's assistance, she returned to Sivas, where she worked for three years at the Near East Relief orphanage as a teacher and caretaker. A recommendation letter from Nina E. Rice, superintendent of the Girls' Orphanage in Sivas, dated July 11, 1927, praised Parantsem's capabilities and suitability for similar positions. After the Near East Relief moved its operations to Lebanon and Greece in the 1920s, Parantsem relocated to Istanbul sometime before 1923 with her sons and nephew, Vahan Ghazarian. In Istanbul, she supported her family through sewing and embroidery.

Created By

garenkazanc@hotmail.com

Create Date

January 20, 2025

Updated By

garenkazanc@hotmail.com

Update Date

March 1, 2025