Mesrobian explained that her book is based on caches of documents people have left behind, her own personal remembrances, and another very important source: her interviews over the years with longtime members of the Syracuse community, many of whom are no longer alive. She urged others likewise to systematically interview elders about the early history of their communities.

The topics covered in "Like One Family" range from community politics (how families and friends were driven apart by the church split of 1933) to home life (how children’s ailments were treated with an olive oil and pepper mixture applied to the chest, covered with several layers of undershirts to keep the wool blanket from getting soiled).

Mesrobian’s presentation generated many questions from enthusiastic participants. Jack Papazian of Ambler, Pennsylvania, for example, wanted to know what kind of work drew Armenians to Syracuse in the first place. Mesrobian referred to the textile mills of Syracuse, as well as other industries discussed in her book. She noted that Armenians have sometimes moved to Syracuse to study or teach at the university; she observed, however, that people with a higher education have tended to avoid getting involved in Armenian community life in Syracuse.

Mesrobian is director emerita of the Syracuse University Press. Her richly illustrated book was published this year by the Gomidas Institute. It features a foreword by Razmik Panossian of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

"Like One Family" is a microcosm of American-Armenian life and its narrative in many ways mirrors that of other communities in New York, New Jersey, and New England states.

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Last modified on 05 May 2006.