Statistics of the Armenian Genocide Oral History Collection

K.M. Greg Sarkissian and George Shirinian


The following is an expanded version of a presentation made at the “International Conference on Armenian Genocide Oral History Collections in North America: Development, Utilization, Potential,” held at the University of California-Los Angeles, April 2, 2011

Some Statistics of the Collection

There are 780 interviews, but in six cases, a husband and wife or two relatives are interviewed together, thus there is a total of 786 interviewees. The birth dates range from 1875 to 1922. One hundred and fiftynine of the subjects were born before 1900, so they were old enough to have mature recollections. Males make up 442 (56.2%) of the interviews; females 344 (43.8%).

There is a large variety of villages, towns and cities of birth, and special efforts were made to have multiple interviews for many places. This can be useful for cross-referencing and comparison. Below is a listing of villages, towns and cities represented, along with the number of interviews from each. (Please note that not every interview provides this information.)

Aboghna 1
Adana 16
Afyon-Karahisar 1
Aikestan/Aykesdan/Aykestan 6
Aintab/Ayintab 24
Aksaray 2
Akshehir 4
Akshesh 1
Akzor 1
Aleppo 1
Amasia 6
Ankara 2
Ankegh 1
Antchertik 1
Antioch 2
Arabgir/Arabkir 10
Ardanoosh/Ardanoush 2
Arek 2
Arev 1
Arghanamad 1
Armash 1
Armedan 1
Artamed 1
Artekhan 1
Ashodavan 1
Asytem 1
Avants 1
Aznapert 2
Babik 1
Baghesh 1
Bardizag 1
Batum 1
Bayburt 1
Bazmashen 1
Bigha 2
Bighan 1
Bilijik 1
Bitias/Bittias 2
Bitlis 13
Bor 2
Bursa 3
Cebermusa 1
Chakmak 1
Chan 1
Chanakhchi 1
Charsanjak 7
Chengiler 1
Chicago 1
Chimishgad 4
Chimishgadzak 3
Chomakhlou 2
Delimili 1
Dikranagerd/Diyarbakir 11
Divrig 2
Dortyol 5
Dzovk 1
Edemish 1
Edirne 1
Egin 1
Endires 1
Ereğli 1
Erzenca/Erzincan/Erzinga 7
Erzerum/Erzurum 11
Eskisher/Eskishehir 3
Eudemish 1
Everek 15
Eybes 1
Farghin 1
Fedejag 1
Fresno 1
Gamarka 1
Garjgan 2
Garni 3
Garva 2
Gemerek 1
Gerasoon 1
Germir 1
Gesaria/Kaysari 16
Gorovank 1
Gurun 9
Habousi 2
Hacin/Hadjin 10
Hamide 1
Hamidie 1
Har 1
Harsek 1
Harsankale 1
Havari 1
Havav 1
Havus 1
Haygavank 2
Hoghe 1
Hornavil 1
Hozat 1
Hussenig/Hussenik/Husseinik 8
Iskender 1
Istanbul/Constantintople 4
Itchme 1
Iteli 3
Iamit 5
Jerma 1
Juberkegh 1
Kabilcauz 1
Kalecik 1
Kars 6
Kayseri (see Gesaria)
Kecheyurt 1
Keghi 20
Keghitoon 1
Keler 1
Kemakh 5
Keserig 4
Keskin 1
Kessab 15
Kez 1
Khalakyugh 1
Khana 1
Kharapouni 1
Kharkhik 1
Kharpert/Harput 33
Khastor 1
Khenous/Khnoos 3
Khorokhon 1
Khortom 1
Khuylu 1
Kighia 1
Kilis/Kilisa 1
Kiremet 1
Konya 5
Kovtun/Govdoon 1
Kuraktar 1
Kutahia/Kutahya 1
Kuyu 1
Kzerchi 1
Leninakan/Gyumri 2
Lice 2
Malatia/Malatya 8
Manisa 1
Marash 19
Marsovan/Marzovan 3
Marzerdn 1
Mazgert/Mazgirt 3
Merdegivz 1
Merdin 2
Mezre/Mezreh 14
Mirzip 1
Morenig 1
Mouratja 1
Musa Dagh 1
Mush//Mus/Moosh/Moush 14
Nevshehir 1
New York 2
Nirzeh 2
Norkuygh 1
Ordu 8
Ouzoumyayl 1
Palou/Palu 17
Parehanj 1
Pera 1
Perkise 1
Perri/Peri 1
Pertak 1
Plovdiv 1
Rahva 1
Rasht 1
Rodosto 2
Rostov 1
Sabanci 1
Salmast 2
Samson 4
Sao Paolo 1
Sarikamish 1
Sasoon/Sasoun 2
Sepasdia/Sepastia/Sivas 19
Sis 1
Sivri 2
Sivrihasar 4
Smyrna 1
Spitak 1
Sungurlu 2
Tadeem/Tadem 2
Talas 3
Taron 1
Tarsus 5
Tenik 1
Terjan 6
Toghma 1
Tokat 10
Trabizond 2
Tsvsdan 1
Urfa 19
Urumieh/Urmiya 2
Vahka 1
Vakhcenk 1
Van 18
Vezir 1
Vordum 1
Vrnouz 1
Yalde 1
Yenihan 1
Yerebakan 1
Yozgat 11
Zangezour 1
Zeitoun 6
Zumbeck 1

The duration of the interviews ranges from 20 minutes to 13.5 hours.

The breakdown by language is as follows:

Armenian 597 (77%)
English 167 (22%)
Armenian & English 1
Spanish 1
Turkish 8 (1%)