1909 to 1915 in Lawrence, "R. I.", as indicated by his 1920 immigration papers.

Listed in the 1910 census in Lawrence, Massachusetts. See below.

Manifest: "Parnagnian" Toros age "32", laborer, Turkish, last residence "Tehumuch" Kazak Father Kovork Parnagnian to Providence, R. I. 8 Feb 1908, from Havre on the La Lorraine, to brother in law ---d Papajian (?) 8-7 Westminster, St Providence, R. I. 5'7" black eyes black hair, born "T-chumuch", Turkey

Toros Parnegian was listed in Lawrence, Massachusetts in the 1910 census at 208 Cannon Street as a boarder in a large boarding house. There were 44 people listed at that address, all of the male, all of them Armenian.

Toros Parnagian was listed as age 35, married 8 years, immigrated in 1907 alien, scrubber woolen mill.

There were three other Parnegians listed in the same boarding house: Garabad Parnagian age 55 widow, immigrated 1896, winder woolen mill, Vahan Parnagian age 27, married 6 years, (no wife), immigrated 1907 operator woolen mill, Sahag Parnagian, age 32, immigrated 1909, finisher woolen mill. They were listed together. Toros was listed on the next page.

Notes: George Parnagian (Toros' son) said that Toros did not have family in the US.

When Toros Parnagian and family entered the US in 1920 they listed their nearest relatives as a "brother" "Messrop Parnakian" of 208 Cannon Street Lawrence.

There were a number of Parnagians in Lawrence including Garabad, Sahag, Vahan, and Manoog who were a father and his three sons. Gadabar immigrated circa 1896, Sarag immigrated circa 1909, Vahan circa 1908, and Monoog immigrated circa 1912. Vahan and "Manjon" were listed in the 1920 census as "partners" of Martin Parnagian farmer who immigrated in 1917. Sarag, Vahan, and Manoog were listed in the WWI Draft Registration. The information shows that they were related to each other as brothers, that the came from the town of Arapkir (Arabkir, Arabgir) in Harput villayet at the confluence of the eastern and western Euphrates in Turkey and that they lived on Cannon Street in Lawrence.

Arapkir is is northwest of Harput. Chemishgezek (the birthplace of Toros) is a few miles to the east of Arabkir. I do not know the actual distance but they are relatively close to each other.

"Arabkir was one of those towns in Anatolia where an especially high population of men left to seek work elsewhere leaving their wives and children behind with their parents."

Armenia, A Historical Atlas Robert Hewson

A local industry in Arabkir was cotton cloth manufacture.

It is possible that the other Parnagians in Lawrence were cousins of Toros Parnegian.

Parnagians in the 1930 Census

1. Haverhill Mass. Saville Ave. Sahag Parnagian, head, Owing house $12,000, radio, age 49 single, immigrated 1909, Pa, Farmer, general farming, Vahan brother, married age 47, married at age 27, immigrated in 1906, saster (?), shoe factory, alien, Manog brother age 42, married at age 19, immigrated in 1913, alien, farmer, general farming, Leo son age 24, immigrated in 1919 engraver electro--, Pa, Hag son age ? Berjoohn daughter age 9, Nellie daughter age 18, immigrated in 1919, alien, stitcher, shoe factory, Berge son age 9*, Sondonleth, sister in law age 45 married at 18, immigrated 1919, Elizabeth sister in law age 40 married at 21, immigrated 1919 All of the adults (including Leo age 24 and Nellie age 18) were born in Harput Turkey. The children were all born in Massachusetts. All of the adults were Armenian speakers.
2. In Lawrence, Bedros Parnagian, age 30, married at 24, hotel barber, immigrated in 1920, born Armenia, and his wife Surphur, age 23, married at 19, immigrated 1926 (?) dressmaker tailor shop.
3. In Lawrence, Roopan Parnegian head age 42, married at 40 born Armenian immigrated 1913, naturalized, proprietor grocery store, Vastoohe wife age 32 married at age 30, born Turkey Sivas, immigrated 1927, Harg son age 3 months born Massachusetts

According to the Nashua Telegraph of September 27, 1967, George Parnagian and Berg Parnegian were "bearers" at the funeral of Diana Q Manasian. Diana was the sister of Pauline Parnagian. In August 2010 Paula Parnegian wote:

"*Berge and George Parnagian were distant cousins and both families were from the same village, Chimishkezek, a village in the Harpoot/Kharpet region."

*Berge Parnagian SSN: 016-18-6307 Last Residence: 03060 Nashua, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, United States of America Born: 24 Mar 1921 Died: 3 Feb 2002 State (Year) SSN issued: Massachusetts (Before 1951)

Most of the earlier Parnagain records in the US were in Massachusetts. Some later records are in Fresno, California.

MARY (ARABIAN) PARNAGIAN: The Boston Globe obituary of Mary Arabain Parnagian indicates that there were some other Parnagians in the area:

Of Watertown January 10, 2007. Beloved wife of the late Archie Parnagian. Dear sister of the late Grace Hagopian. Sister-in-law of the late Henry Hagopian. Loving aunt of Adrenna Antreasian and her husband Richard of Waltham, Kenneth Hagopian and his wife Carol of Watertown, Bruce Hagopian and his wife Gail of Burlington, Pauline Parnagian* of Methuen and the late George Parnagian*. Great-aunt of Christopher and Alicia Antreasian, Lauren and Noelle Hagopian, David Hagopian, James Cartolano, Diane** and Mark Juknavorian, Kay** and Bob Husson, Paula**, Cindy** and Christopher** Parnagian. Also survived by many great-great nieces and nephews. Services at St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown on Saturday, January 13 at 12:00 p.m.

George Parnagian son of Toros Parnagian and Catherine Azarian and his second wife Pauline. **Children of George and Pauline.

Toros returned to Turkey circa 1915 according to the 1920 immigration manifest.

Family history says that Toros' first wife and all his family died in the 1915 genocide. He was listed as married 8 years in the 1910 census in the US.

How and why was he spared? Did he return to Turkey too late?

Gadarine Azarian, the daughter of Abraham Azarian and Lousia Hagopian, born October 3, 1896, Galatia, priest, Bishop Abigian, godfather, Avitis Hagopian, church------, baptized October 6, 1896. LDS film #1037106, Surp Savour, Beyoghle, Istanbul.

Naturalization

Since Toros, Gadar (Catherine) and George were all born in Turkey there is the potential for three naturalization records. I did not find any on Ancestry.com as of August 2017.

Toros Parnagian Residence Year: 1931 Street address: 237 Chest- Residence Place: Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA Spouse: Kada Parnagian

They arrived in the US in March.