Manouk Chakrian

History of Chakrian Family: Past and Present (1850's - Present) Manouk Chakrian

The geographic area Chakrian Family use to live was called Cilicia. Cilicia was settled from the Aceramic / Neolithic (8th and 7th millennia BC) onwards: by the Hittites in 2nd millennium BC, the Hurrians in the 16th century BC, conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC and later passed into the hands of the Romans and Byzantines. In antiquity, Cilicia was the south coastal region of Asia Minor, south of the central Anatolian plateau and northeast of the island of Cyprus. Cilicia existed as a political entity from Hittite times into the Byzantine Empire and onwards. As early as 1194 BC, the ancient Cilician coast had the reputation as the "Pirate Coast". This coast is dotted with many strategically placed coves and islands, where the sea-raiders would hide themselves and pounce upon the many heavily laden merchant ships sailing by. The amazing thing about Cilicia is the many fantastic sites, which exist on its territory..... ..... Short distance away from Vahka (nowadays Fake), on its north-west side, in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, in the forest land 'cross the Zamanti river's edge, within close proximity to each other, there were three Armenian villages: Karakoy, Dikme and Sazak. All three villages were tied together with family and inter-marriages and together they were called "Karakoy'tsiner". From the Middle Ages in the village, next to the church built with black stones in ancient times (hence: Karakoy" - Black village), was still standing a remains of a castle. Chakrian family use to live in Sazak village before the Genocide. I do not know when they settled in the area, but most probably, they were living in Sis region since Cilicia's Rupeniyan Armenian kingdom's times.... ..... Armenian survivors from genocide and deportations were settled in Middle East and later years in Western countries. Same is true with my Grandfather's father's family. He was the village head (gurhapet). His name was PETROS, but they called him "Chakhr-Kehe". He had six (6) sons and one (1) daughter, one of which was my grandpa GEVORK. I do not remember some of their names, but all my life I was very close with their son's and grandson's. And over the years, some of the family's last name's spelling got changed to adapted county's traditions and pronunciations: Chakrian / Chakroglu / Tchakirian / Chakerian. Following is their history per my recollections. Also includes "CHAKRIAN FAMILY TREE (Eight Generations)"