Shenian/Sogoian

Haigaz Shahinian (family name later changed to Shenian) was born on May 5, 1895 (according to his US Naturalization documents and in 1896 according to his US draft registration form) in Kghi, Erzrum, Ottoman Empire. Haigaz’s father’s name was Shahan. Haigaz spoke Armenian, Russian and Kurdish. Fleeing the Turkish massacres of the Armenian population during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, Haigaz, his fiancé Azniv Soligian and Azniv’s mother fled to what was then Soviet Georgia and were married in Batumi. Their first child, Shooshan (Lillian) was born in Batumi on January 3, 1919
Azniv Sogoian (spelled Soligian per US naturalization papers) was born on August 7, 1899 . Her father’s name was Sukias. Haigaz, Azniv and baby Shooshan departed from Constantinople on August 6, 1922 for the United States. They arrived on Ellis Island on September 1, 1922 on the Greek Ship “The Acropolis”and proceeded to their Uncle Gabriel and Aunt Ovsanna Terzian’s residence in New Haven, CT. During the voyage, Azniv was listed on ship’s documents as pregnant. Haigaz immediately received a job offer to repair and clean oriental carpets and remain in New Haven but a close family relative, Sarah Hampartzoomian and her husband, Harry, already living in Whitinsville, insisted Haigaz and Azniv move in with them.
Once in Whitinsville, MA, the Shenian family lived in a variety of places.
During the 1920’s, they lived on 29 D Street in the New Village section of town with Sarah and Harry Hampartzoomian. Their second child, a boy, Popkin was born on February 6, 1923 at 29D Street and subsequently Haigaz, Azniv, Shooshan and baby Popkin moved to 298 Church Street. Baby Popkin died 7 months and 24 days later on September 30, 1923 from undulant fever due to acute gastro enteritis at Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA.

1920s
Their second daughter Vartuhi “Rose” Shenian was born January 10, 1924.
The family had to move to a Whitin Machine Works-owned house directly across from the Northbridge High School due to the sale of the 298 Church Street house where the trolley and Whitin Machine Works freight train passed several times a day.
The family then moved to 44 D Street in the late 1920’s. Aghavni “Agnes” and Popkin were both born at 44 D Street. Agnes was born on May 10, 1926 and Popkin was born on May 15, 1928.
Around August/September 1927 Haigaz was laid off from the Whitin Machine Works and prepared the family for their move to Detroit. While in Detroit, the children became sick often so they decided to move back to Whitinsville with all of their furniture to a third floor tenement on East Street called the “Tashjian Tenement” around Sept 1929. The 1930 Census shows the Shenian family, Haigaz, Azniv, Lillian, Rose, Agnes and Popkin residing at 87½ East Street. (April 7, 1930 Census)

The 1940 Census indicates that the Haigaz, Azniv, Rose, Agnes, Popkin and Kapriel (Kenneth) were living at 45 “D” Street. (April 11, 1940 Census). Their last child, Kapriel (Kenneth) “Cappy” Shenian was born on January 29, 1931 At 45 D Street.

Haigaz declared his intention for naturalization on June 20, 1936 and petitioned for naturalization on October 21, 1938. Petition was granted on March 30, 1939.
Haigaz was required to register for the draft during WWII and did so on April 26, 1942.

Haigaz Shenian passed away on December 1979.
Azniv Shenian passed away on August 2001.
Both are buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Whitinsville, MA.