This interview with Nishan Mikaelian was conducted on April 15, 1976. The interview subject is Armenian and discusses the Armenian Genocide from a first hand perspective. The interview discusses his dislocation and eventual move to the United States, living in Providence (R.I.) and Detroit (Mich.), the Armenian community in Providence, Orms St. and Douglas Ave. area of Providence, family, religion, and employment. In addition to the audio recording of the interview, there is a typed summary and abstract.
Original abstract (1976): Mr. Mikaelian was driven from Armenia and orphaned at the age of twelve. He gave a lucid account of his life in an Armenian village before he was forced to leave. He saw his mother and sisters either die or collapse and be left to die on the forced march from Armenia to Turkey. He entered an orphanage, married as a young man and sailed for America from Greece. He came to live with an uncle who resided in the Armenian community located around Douglas Avenue. Mr. Mikaelian offered excellent descriptions of his life in the Armenian community in Providence. He also talked about the breaking up of that community down through the years. And yet the old neighborhood (he now lives in Cranston) remains important to him and other Armenians now living in the suburbs. He belongs to a club in his old neighborhood which he frequents. His family also does some shopping there. His daughter also offered a few observations on her view of herself as a second generation Armenian.
Original abstract (1976): Mr. Mikaelian was driven from Armenia and orphaned at the age of twelve. He gave a lucid account of his life in an Armenian village before he was forced to leave. He saw his mother and sisters either die or collapse and be left to die on the forced march from Armenia to Turkey. He entered an orphanage, married as a young man and sailed for America from Greece. He came to live with an uncle who resided in the Armenian community located around Douglas Avenue. Mr. Mikaelian offered excellent descriptions of his life in the Armenian community in Providence. He also talked about the breaking up of that community down through the years. And yet the old neighborhood (he now lives in Cranston) remains important to him and other Armenians now living in the suburbs. He belongs to a club in his old neighborhood which he frequents. His family also does some shopping there. His daughter also offered a few observations on her view of herself as a second generation Armenian.