The Parochial Schools of the City of Erzurum/Garin

As we have (Garin (Erzurum) – Schools I), on the eve of the Armenian Genocide, six Armenian parochial (“national”) schools operated in the city of Garin: The Ardznian boys’ school alongside its coeducational kindergarten, the Hripsimyan girls’ school, the Msrian coeducational school alongside its kindergarten, the Der Azarian coeducational school alongside its kindergarten, the Aghabalian coeducational school, and the Kavafian coeducational school.

Below, we present details on each of these institutions.

The Ardznian School was the largest parochial Armenian educational institution in Garin. It was also called the Mother School and Central School. [1]

In the early 20th century, the Ardznian School was housed in two buildings with a large courtyard separating them, located across from the main entrance and belltower of the Holy Mother-of-God Church. These were stone buildings with solid foundations, surrounded by a large garden. [2] In 1912, a new building was built for the school, larger and more suitable than the older ones. [3]

In the 1885-1886 school year, the school had an enrollment of 640 pupils and a faculty of 16 teachers. The principal was Yeghishe Doursounian. The school provided eight years of instruction. [4]

Around 1890, the Ardznian School had an enrollment of 700 pupils and a faculty of 17 teachers. [5]

According to the 1901 Constantinople Patriarchate survey, the school had an enrollment of 603 pupils (533 boys and 70 girls), and a faculty of 20 teachers (15 male and five female). Three-fourths of the school’s budget came from allocations from ecclesiastical authorities, and one-fourth from the pupils’ tuitions fees. The school provided six years of instruction. [6]

According to figures from 1909, enrollment at the school stood at 314 boys, and the faculty consisted of 15 teachers (all male). The school provided seven years of instruction. A kindergarten operated alongside the school, with an enrollment of 334 children (195 boys and 139 girls), under the care of ten teachers (one male, nine female). The kindergarten provided three years of instruction. Thus, the Ardznian school and kindergarten had a combined enrollment of 648 children. The combined yearly budget for both was 69,350 kurus, 22 percent of which came from the pupils’ tuition fees, and the rest from church authorities. [7]

According to the 1913 survey, the school had an enrollment of 260 pupils (all boys), and the kindergarten had an enrollment of 329 children (of both sexes). Thus, combined enrollment was 589. [8]

On the eve of the Armenian Genocide, the school offered eight years of instruction, and the curriculum had been aligned with that of the Sanasarian School, thus allowing graduates of the Ardznian to continue their education, if they wished to do so, in the senior classes of the Sanasarian School. The school’s faculty consisted mostly of the brightest young graduates of the Sanasarian School. The serving principal was Partogh Odabashian. [9]

The Hripsimyan School was the primary Armenian parochial girls’ educational institution in Garin. It was founded in 1870 and was initially called Sourp Tarkmanchats (Holy Translators). In 1875, it was reorganized and renamed the Hripsimyan (Hripsimyants) School. [10] The aim of the school was to “provide female students with proper education, prepare them for motherhood, and train capable female teachers to serve in Garin and elsewhere.” [11]

In the 1885-1886 school year, enrollment at the school stood at 640 girls, taught by two male and seven female teachers. The principal was Garabed Zakarian, a prominent local educator. [12] The school provided six years of instruction. [13]

Around 1890, the Hrimpsimyan School had an enrollment of 400 pupils and a faculty of nine teachers. [14]

Thanks to the funds bequeathed by Russian-Armenian philanthropist Hovsep Izmiryants (and administered by the Constantinople Patriarchate), a sewing and rug-weaving workshop was built next to the school building in the early 1890s. [15]

According to the figures of the 1901 Constantinople Patriarchate survey, the school had an enrollment of 603 girls and a faculty of 13 teachers (three male and ten female). About 55 percent of the school’s budget came from local Armenian authorities, and 45 percent from the pupils’ tuition fees. The school provided six years of instruction. [16] A total of 50 girls studied at the school’s workshop.

Beginning in 1904, by decision of diocesan authorities, the pupils of the graduating class of the Hripsimyan School, especially the daughters of wealthy families, were required to work without pay for one to two years as assistant teachers in the city’s kindergartens or parochial schools. [17]

According to figures from 1909, the school had an enrollment of 291 girls and a faculty of 14 teachers (four male and ten female). The school provided seven years of instruction. Its yearly budget was 23,650 kurus, of which about 40 percent came from the pupils’ tuition fees, and the rest from church authorities. [18]

According to the 1913 census, the school had an enrollment of 427 pupils and a faculty of 25 teachers. [19]

As previously stated, the school provided seven years of instruction. But in 1912-1913, the school opened an eighth grade (grade H), thus becoming an intermediate school. The eighth graders learned botany and zoology, the foundations of health, psychology and athletics, physics and chemistry, etc. (it must be noted that due to the school’s financial difficulties, teachers had agreed to teach the eighth graders without pay). [20]

On the eve of the Armenian Genocide, the principal of the school was Kalousd Garabedian. [21]

The Der Azarian School was founded in 1870, thanks to funds donated by Soghomon Der Azarian, a wealthy Armenian. The school was located in the Chayghara district, on a street named Momdji. The school was housed in a one-story, stone building. The interior was simple, with four rooms facing each other and used as classrooms. There was a garden next to the building, surrounded by a wall, which served as a recess area for the pupils. [22]

In the 1885-1886 school year, the school had an enrollment of 150 pupils (80 boys and 70 girls). The faculty consisted of one female and three male teachers. The principal was Khachadour Knouni. The school provided two years of instruction. [23]

Around 1890, the boys’ section of the school had an enrollment of 150 pupils and a faculty of three teachers. The girls’ section had an enrollment of 55 pupils and a faculty of one teacher. [24]

According to the 1901 Constantinople Patriarchate survey, the school had an enrollment of 237 pupils (111 boys and 126 girls); and the faculty consisted of seven teachers (six male and one female). Half of the institutions’ budget came from allocations from local Armenian authorities, and the other half from the pupils’ tuition fees. The school provided two years of instruction. [25]

According to figures from 1909, enrollment at the school stood at 72 pupils (32 boys and 40 girls), and the faculty consisted of four teachers (two male and two female). The school provided five years of instruction. A kindergarten operated alongside the school, with an enrollment of 195 children (99 boys and 96 girls), under the care of seven teachers (one male and six female). The kindergarten provided three years of instruction. Thus, in total, the school and kindergarten had an enrollment of 267 children (131 boys and 136 girls). The institution’s yearly budget was 14,300 kurus, of which 25 percent came from the pupils’ tuitions fees, and the rest from church authorities. [26]

According to the 1913 survey, the school had an enrollment of 65 pupils, and the kindergarten had an enrollment of 136 children. Therefore, combined enrollment was 201. [27]

This school was opened on April 17, 1889, thanks to funds donated by Kevork Msrian (1810-1890), a wealthy Armenian. The school was housed in a two-story building located on Gulahmed road in the Nor Tagh Armenian-populated neighborhood. [28]

The school was coeducational. Subjects that pupils studied included Armenian, mathematics, history, religion, geography, calligraphy, drawing, singing, athletics, etc. The school had both paying and scholarship students.

In the 1896-1897 school year, a coeducational kindergarten was opened alongside the school, with an enrollment of 100 children and a faculty of seven teachers. [29] The kindergarten was housed in a one-story building adjacent to the main school building. [30]

According to the 1901 Constantinople Patriarchate survey, the school and kindergarten had an enrollment of 431 pupils (186 boys and 245 girls). The faculty consisted of 15 teachers (one male and 14 female). Sixty percent of the school’s budget came from local Armenian authorities, and 40 percent from the pupils’ tuition fees. The school provided three years of instruction. [31]

According to figures from 1909, enrollment at the school stood at 104 pupils (42 boys and 62 girls). The school had a faculty of six teachers (two male and four female), and provided five years of instruction. A coeducational kindergarten operated alongside the school, with an enrollment of 175 children (93 boys and 82 girls) and a faculty of seven teachers (one male and six female). The kindergarten provided three years of instruction. The school and kindergarten’s yearly budget totaled 15,950 kurus, of which 30 percent came from the pupils’ tuition fees, and the rest from church authorities. [32]

According to the 1913 survey, enrollment in the school stood at 253 pupils, and in the kindergarten at 113 children. Thus, the institution had a combined enrollment of 366 pupils. [33]

Prominent teachers who worked at the school included Yeghisapet Magarian, Persape Ehramdjian, Anna Eton, B. V. Takadjian, and B. A. Kavafian. [34] On the eve of the Armenian Genocide, the principals of the school and kindergarten, respectively, were Vahe Tokadjian and Zaven Manougian, both graduates of the Sanasarian School. [35]

The Aghabalian School was a coeducational elementary school. It was opened in 1883 by local teacher Mgrdich Aghabalian (1846-1899). The school was housed in a two-story stone building in the “Gana Road” district. It had a courtyard and a garden. [36]

From 1883 to 1892, the school operated as a private institution. Beginning in 1892, it was managed by local church authorities. [37]

In the 1885-1886 school year, enrollment at the school stood at 100 pupils. [38]

Around 1890, the school had an enrollment of 120 pupils and a faculty of one teacher. [39]

According to the 1901 Constantinople Patriarchate survey, the school had an enrollment of 114 pupils (71 boys and 43 girls) and a faculty of five female teachers.

Forty percent of the school’s budget came from allocations from local Armenian authorities, and 60 percent from the pupils’ tuition fees. [40]

According to figures from 1909, the school had an enrollment 230 pupils (108 boys and 122 girls), and a faculty consisting of seven teachers (one male and six female). The school provided three years of instruction. Its yearly budget was 8,150 kurus, of which 60 percent came from tuition fees, and the rest from church authorities. [41]

According to the 1913 survey, the school had an enrollment of 131 pupils of both sexes. [42]

This school was opened on September 4, 1905. It was named in memory of Hovhannes Kavafian, a wealthy Armenian from Garin, whose son, Mardiros, funded the purchase of the school building (a large, one-story house with four rooms, a courtyard, and a garden; located in the city’s Demir Ayak district). [43]

The Kavafian School was a coeducational, elementary institution. [44]

According to figures from 1909, the school had an enrollment of 271 pupils (128 boys and 143 girls), and a faculty consisting of six teachers (one male and five female). The school provided three years of instruction. Its yearly budget was 5,950 kurus, of which 40 percent came from tuition fees, and the rest from church authorities. [45]

On the eve of the Armenian Genocide, the school provided a single year of instruction, with a two-year kindergarten operating alongside it. According to the 1913 survey, total enrollment was 178. [46] The school’s principal was Miss Satenig Soudjian. [47]

On the eve of the Armenian Genocide, almost every Armenian-populated village of the subdistrict of Erzurum had an Armenian school. In the larger villages, these schools operated fully and regularly, throughout the year. In the smaller villages, schools operated mostly during the winter months, after the conclusion of work in the fields, when the children had free time to attend classes.

Village schools were financed partly by the Patriarchate, and partly by village churches or monasteries. Pupils did not pay tuition fees. On the eve of the Armenian Genocide, the educational institutions in the villages of Tsitogh and Otsni were administered by the United Society of Armenians.

The progress made by Armenian schools after the 1908 Young Turk Revolution is illustrated excellently by the school of the village of Tsitogh. In the late 19th century, the school still provided instruction according to traditional “Der-Totig” [an archetype of the traditional clergyman/schoolmaster of the Armenian countryside – ed.] methods. The students would take turns reading from the textbook, without understanding what they read, and with no right to ask questions. They were taught Armenian, Turkish, mathematics, and religion. The classrooms had no desks or chairs. The pupils sat on benches. [48]

After taking over management of the school, the United Society made sure that it was equipped with proper desks, chairs, and blackboards. Moreover, a new faculty was hired, which included graduates even of the Central School of Constantinople and the Sanasarian School of Garin. A new curriculum was adopted, and new subjects were taught (including Armenian history, geography, grammar, mathematics, singing, athletics, and geometry). The students would hold debate contests, defending their chosen arguments (for example, arguing whether water, soil, or air is more important). [49]

Below, we present details on the Armenian schools operating in the Armenian-populated villages/settlements across the subdistrict. The enrollment figures for each school are provided according to the 1878, 1902, and 1913 surveys conducted by the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople; as well as other sources. [50] The villages are listed in alphabetical order [in the original Armenian – ed.]. The Armenian population of each village is provided according to the 1913 survey of the Armenian Constantinople Patriarchate. In parentheses, we have provided the present-day name of each village/settlement (if different). [51]

Ashgala (Aşkale)

The 1878 and 1901 surveys do not list any educational institutions in this village.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 30 pupils.

Abulhendi (Alaybeyi)

27 households, 170 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Roupinian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 35 children.

The 1901 survey does not list an educational institution in this village.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 30 pupils.

Ardzati (Yeşilyayla)

59 households, 312 Armenians.

The 1878 survey does not list any educational institutions in this village.

According to the 1901 survey, the village had an elementary school that provided two years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 13 pupils (nine boys and four girls).

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 38 pupils.

The school building was located south of the village church. A section of the building served as the parsonage.

Arshuni (Dilimli)

34 households, 321 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Dikranian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 30 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided two years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 23 pupils (18 boys and five girls) and one teacher (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 50 pupils.

Plour (Ömertepe)

46 households, 419 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Vahaknian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 30 children.

The 1901 survey does not list any educational institutions in this village.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 50 pupils.

Keghakhor (Ortadüzü)

45 households, 350 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Keghouhian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 20 children.

The 1901 survey states that the school in this village had been closed.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 73 pupils.

The school building was located to the right of the village church.

Komk (Altıntepe)

50 households, 500 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Arshagian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 40 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided two years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 50 pupils (30 boys and 20 girls) and one teacher (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 100 pupils.

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, the school was located near the church and had an enrollment of 60 pupils.

Krindjk (Değirmenler)

74 households, 704 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Mamigonian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 80 children.

The 1901 survey states that the school in this village had been closed.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 73 pupils.

The school building was located at the entrance of the church.

Tinarikom (Muratgeldi)

58 households, 426 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Vahanian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 25 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided two years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 46 pupils (34 boys and 12 girls) and one teacher (male).

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, the school had an enrollment of 60 pupils.According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 70 pupils. The school building adjoined the church garden.

Tvnig (Altınbulak)

80 households, 843 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Khosrovian Kindergarten. In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 72 pupils (57 boys and 15 girls) and one teacher (male).

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, the school had an enrollment of 60 pupils. According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 100 pupils. The school building was on the right of the church, adjoining it, and was built in 1898. Father H. Mamigonian contributed to its construction.

Yergan Masour (Çay)

20 households, 160 Armenians.

The 1878 and 1901 surveys do not list any educational institutions in the village.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 20 pupils.

Yergnisd (Yerlisu)

9 households, 102 Armenians.

The 1878 survey does not list any educational institutions in the village.

According to the 1901 survey, children from Yergnisd attended the school of the neighboring village of Khachgavank (two kilometers to the north; enrollment not provided).

According to the 1913 survey, the school of Khachgavank was attended by 20 children from Yergnisd.

Eozpeg (Özbek)

Four households, 50 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Apkarian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of ten children. The 1901 and 1913 surveys do not list any educational institutions in the village.

Ughdatsor (Arıbahçe)

60 households, 470 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Vahanian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 35 children. In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 48 boys and one teacher (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 32 pupils. The school building was described as a small structure located at the entrance of the church.

Tarkouni (Yazipinar)

75 households, 637 Armenians.

The 1878 and 1901 surveys do not list any educational institutions in this village. According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 70 pupils.

Tapa Village (Upper Village) (Tepe Köy)

23 households, 325 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Mousheghian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 20 children. The 1901 survey does not list any educational institutions in the village.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 30 pupils.

Tvandj (Güzelova)

45 households, 660 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Prgchian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 40 children. The 1901 survey states that the school in this village had been closed. According to the 1913 survey, the village had a coeducational school with an enrollment of 80 pupils.

Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, described the school building as small, and mentioned that it was located south of the hill of the church and the graveyard.

Topal-Chavush (Topalçavuş)

35 households, 300 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Pakradounyats Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of eight children. The 1901 survey does not mention any educational institutions in the village. According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 40 pupils.

Ilidja (Aziziye)

66 households, 635 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Lousinian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 30 children.

The 1901 survey states that the school in this village had been closed.

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, the village school was called Haigazyants, and it had an enrollment of 100 pupils of both sexes. The school building was adjacent to the church.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 140 pupils.

Khachgavank (Aktoprak)

17 households, 127 Armenians.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 18 boys (children from the village of Yergnisd also attended this school); and one teacher (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 20 pupils.

Khedemelig (Gülpinar)

Two households, 40 Armenians.

The 1878 and 1901 surveys do not list any educational institutions in the village. According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 12 pupils.

Gan (Dadaş)

317 households, 2,600 Armenians.

In 1878, this village was home to the Prgchian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 250 children. In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 170 pupils (129 boys and 41 girls) and two teachers (male).

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, the school building was large, and was on the left of the church. Enrollment stood at 150 pupils of both sexes.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 250 pupils.

Gez (Gezköy)

144 households, 1,103 Armenians.

In 1878, this village was home to the Aramian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 100 children. In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 70 boys and one teacher (male).

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, the school had an enrollment of 60 boys. The school building was near the church and was described as small.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 100 pupils.

Guzulkilise (Kilimli)

40 households, 438 Armenians.

In 1878, this village was home to the Saint Nshan Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 17 children. In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 52 pupils (40 boys and 12 girls) and two teachers (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 64 pupils.

Grdjgnots (Yeşilova)

30 households, 240 Armenians.

In 1878, this village was home to the Holy Cross Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 23 children. The 1901 survey does not list any educational institutions in the village. According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 26 pupils. The school building was near the church and was described as small.

Hintsk (Dumlu)

120 households, 1,210 Armenians.

In 1878, this village was home to the Holy Cross Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 60 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 88 pupils (45 boys and 43 girls) and one teacher (male).

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, Hintsk had one Apostolic and one Catholic school. The coeducational Apostolic school was located on the way to the church hill and had an enrollment of 30-40 pupils. The Armenian Catholic school was housed in a one-story building located in the garden of the Catholic church, and had an enrollment of 25-30 pupils of both sexes.

According to the 1913 survey, the village schools had a combined enrollment of 150 pupils.

Tsitogh (Yolgeçti)

230 households, 2,066 Armenians.

In 1878, this village was home to the Mesrobian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 120 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 65 boys and one teacher (male).

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, Tsitogh had both boys’ and girls’ schools, which had a total enrollment of 160 boys and 150 girls. From 1909 to 1911, the schools were under the management of the Patriotic Armenian Ladies’ Society and United Society of Armenians. The head principal was Arshalouys Shamlian, a graduate of the Central School of Constantinople.

According to the 1913 survey, the village schools had a combined enrollment of 424 pupils.

Ghayapa (Kayapa)

10 households, 93 Armenians.

The 1878 and 1901 surveys do not list any educational institutions in this village.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 20 pupils.

Gharahasan (Karahasan)

76 households, 670 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Mamigonian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 50 children.

Ghararz (Kahramanlar)

120 households, 1,200 Armenians.

In 1878, this village was home to the Ashodian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 110 children. The 1901 survey states that the school in this village had been closed.

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, the school building was located at the entrance of the church, in the church garden, and had separate boys’ and girls’ sections. The school had an enrollment of 90 boys and 70 girls.

According to the 1913 survey, the village had a coeducational school with an enrollment of 150 pupils.

Ghoushchi (Tuzcu)

Six households, 81 Armenians.

The 1878 and 1901 surveys do not list any educational institutions in the village. According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 30 pupils.

Meorduluk (Tinazli)

16 households, 191 Armenians.

The 1878 and 1901 surveys do not list any educational institutions in the village. According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 25 pupils.

Moudourga (Çayirtepe)

148 households, 1,160 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Bartevian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 50 children.

The 1901 survey states that the school in this village had been closed.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 125 pupils.

The school was far from the church, almost in the center of the village. It was described as a one-story, clean building. The following text was engraved on a stone in the wall of the building façade: “This school was entirely rebuilt in memory of the late Hagop Agha, thanks to the efforts of his brother, Tateos Agha Hanisian – 1898 November 1.”

Norashen (Kumluyazi)

25 households, 170 Armenians.

The 1878 and 1901 surveys do not list any educational institutions in this village.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 30 pupils.

Shipeg (Kirkgöze)

50 households, 431 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Smpadian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 25 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 40 pupils (31 boys and nine girls) and one teacher (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 72 pupils.

Skhnots (Ibrahim Hakkı)

56 households, 449 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Sahagian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 50 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided two years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 28 pupils (19 boys and nine girls) and one teacher (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village had a coeducational school with an enrollment of 60 pupils.

The school was built in 1868 and was located near the church.

Umudum

90 households, 900 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Sahagian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 70 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 63 boys and one teacher (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village had a coeducational school with an enrollment of 109 pupils.

The school was located at the entrance of the village, and was built on high ground, in a beautiful location. The year of its construction, 1909, was engraved in stone on the façade of the building.

Çiftlik

200 households, 1,625 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Haigaznian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 120 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided three years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 100 pupils (80 boys and 20 girls) and one teacher (male).

According to Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, who visited the village in 1912, the school of Çiftlik had an enrollment of 150 pupils of both sexes. He described the school building as large and noted that it was built in 1910 to replace an older building that had fallen into disrepair due to its age.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 320 pupils.

Badishen (Çayirca)

40 households, 403 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Kevorkian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 27 children.

In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided two years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 30 pupils (27 boys and three girls) and one teacher (male). According to the 1913 survey, the village had a coeducational school with an enrollment of 50 pupils.

The school was located behind the church. It was a simple building, and classes were held mainly in the winter.

Chinis (Ortabahçe)

74 households, 604 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Levonian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 20 children. The 1901 survey does not list any educational institutions in this village.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 120 pupils.

Salatsor (Sarıyayla)

27 households, 180 Armenians.

The 1878 and 1901 surveys do not mention any educational institutions in this village. According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 30 pupils.

Söğütlü

30 households, 267 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Vagharshian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 25 children.

Sngaridj (Adaçay)

15 households, 113 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Arshagian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 15 children. The 1901 survey does not list any educational institutions in this village.

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 20 pupils.

Soghouk Chermoug (Soghchermoug; Soğucak)

47 households, 500 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Lousavorchian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 25 children. In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided two years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 48 pupils (42 boys and six girls) and one teacher (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village school had an enrollment of 50 pupils.

The school building was adjacent to the church. The school operated in the winter months.

Otsni (Beypinarı)

200 households, 1,580 Armenians.

In 1878, the village was home to the Smpadian Kindergarten, which had an enrollment of 140 children. In 1901, the village had an elementary school that provided four years of instruction. It had an enrollment of 170 pupils (130 boys and 40 girls) and two teachers (male).

According to the 1913 survey, the village had a coeducational school with an enrollment of 300 pupils.

The school was housed in a one-story building located at the entrance of the church, with two sections or rooms, one of which served as the boys’ classroom, and the other as the girls’ classroom. A plaque was affixed on the door of the girls’ classroom, with the following inscription: “The Girls’ School of the Patriotic Armenian Ladies’ Society of Otsni. 1910 February 1.

• [1] “The Schools of Garin,” Artsakank Literary and Political Newspaper, Tbilisi, 14 (26) December 1897, n. 145.
• [2] Charuk Ghazar, Houshamadyan Partsr Hayki: Garinabadoum [Memory Book of Upper Hayk: History of Garin], Beirut, 1957, p. 165.
• [3] Father Hamazasb Vosgian, “Garin and the People of Garin,” Masis Weekly, Beirut, 7 June 1950, n. 23 (180), p. 2.
• [4] “The Schools of Garin,” Artsakank Literary and Political Newspaper, Tbilisi, 30 March 1886, n. 12, p. 185.
• [5] Vital Cuinet, La Turquie d’Asie: géographie administrative, statistique, descriptive et raisonée de chaque province de l’Asie-Mineure, volume 1, Paris, Ernest Leroux, 1892, p. 182.
• [6] Vidjagatsouyts Kavaragan Azkayin Varjaranats Tourkyo. Badrasdyal Ousoumnagan Khorhrto Azkayin Getronagan Varchoutyan. Dedr A. Vidjag 1901 Darvo [Report on the Provincial National Schools of Turkey, Prepared by the Educational Council of the Armenian National Committee. First Book. Situation in the Year 1901], Constantinople, H. Madteosian Printing House, 1901, p. 14.
• [7] A-To, Vani, Bitlisi, yev Erzurumi Vilayetneru. Ousoumnasiroutyan mi Ports ayt Yergri Ashkharhakragan, Vidjagakragan, Iravagan, yev Dndesagan Troutyan [The Provinces of Van, Bitlis, and Erzurum: An Attempt at Studying the Area’s Geographic, Demographic, Legal, and Economic Conditions], Yerevan, Cultura Press, 1912, p. 166-167.
• [8] Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, Partsr Hayk [Upper Hayk], volume 1, “The City of Garin,” Vienna, Mekhitarist Printing House, 1925, p. 244.
• [9] Charuk Ghazar, Houshamadyan Partsr Hayki: Garinabadoum, p. 240.
• [10] Father Hamazasb Vosgian, “Garin and the People of Garin,” Masis Weekly, Beirut, 7 June 1950, n. 23 (180), p. 2.
• [11] Charuk Ghazar, Houshamadyan Partsr Hayki: Garinabadoum, p. 240.
• [12] For his biography, see Kosian, Partsr Hayk, volume 1, pp. 207-210.
• [13] “The Schools of Garin,” Artsakank Literary and Political Weekly, Tbilisi, 30 March 1886, n. 12, p. 185.
• [14] Cuinet, La Turquie d’Asie…, p. 182.
• [15] “The Schools of Garin,” Artsakank Literary and Political Newspaper, Tbilisi, 14 (26) December 1897, n. 145.
• [16] Vidjagatsouyts Kavaragan Azkayin Varjaranats Tourkyo…, p. 14.
• [17] Charuk Ghazar, Houshamadyan Partsr Hayki: Garinabadoum, p. 239.
• [18] A-To, Vani, Bitlisi yev Erzurumi Vilayetneru…, pp. 166-167.
• [19] Kosian, Partsr Hayk, volume 1, p. 244; Charuk Ghazar, Houshamadyan Partsr Hayki: Garinabadoum, p. 246.
• [20] Charuk Ghazar, Houshamadyan Partsr Hayki: Garinabadoum, pp. 245-246.
• [21] Ibid.
• [22] Kosian, Partsr Hayk, volume 1, p. 243.
• [23] “The Schools of Garin,” Artsakank Literary and Political Newspaper, Tbilisi, 30 March 1886, n. 12, p. 185.
• [24] Cuinet, La Turquie d’Asie, p. 182.
• [25] Vidjagatsouyts Kavaragan Azkayin Varjaranats Tourkyo…, p. 14.
• [26] A-To, Vani, Bitlisi yev Erzurumi Vilayetneru…, pp. 166-167.
• [27] Kosian, Partsr Hayk, volume 1, p. 244.
• [28] Ibid., pp. 240-241.
• [29] “The Schools of Garin,” Artsakank Literary and Political Newspaper, Tbilisi, 14 (26) December 1897, n. 145.
• [30] Charuk Ghazar, Houshamadyan Partsr Hayki: Garinabadoum, p. 248.
• [31] Vidjagatsouyts Kavaragan Azkayin Varjaranats Tourkyo…, p. 14.
• [32] A-To, Vani, Bitlisi yev Erzurumi Vilayetneru…, pp. 166-167.
• [33] Kosian, Partsr Hayk, volume 1, p. 244.
• [34] Ibid., p. 241.
• [35] Charuk Ghazar, Houshamadyan Partsr Hayki: Garinabadoum, p. 250.
• [36] Kosian, Partsr Hayk, volume 1, pp. 240-241.
• [37] Norayr, “The Death of Mgrdich Aghabalian,” Arevelk Nationa, Literary, and Political Daily, Constantinople, 8/20 November 1899.
• [38] “The Schools of Garin,” Artsakank Literary and Political Newspaper, Tbilisi, 30 March 1886, n. 12, p. 185.
• [39] Cuinet, La Turquie d’Asie, p. 182.
• [40] Vidjagatsouyts Kavaragan Azkayin Varjaranats Tourkyo…, p. 14.
• [41] A-To, Vani, Bitlisi yev Erzurumi Vilayetneru…, pp. 166-167.
• [42] Kosian, Partsr Hayk, volume 1, p. 244.
• [43] Ibid., p. 242.
• [44] Ibid.
• [45] A-To, Vani, Bitlisi, yev Erzurumi Vilayetneru…, pp. 166-167.
• [46] Kosian, Partsr Hayk, volume 1, p. 244.
• [47] Charuk Ghazar, Houshamadyan Partsr Hayki: Garinabadoum, p. 251.
• [48] Vartiter Godjolozian Hovhannisian, Tsitogh Tashdi Garno [The Tsitogh Valley of Garin], Beirut, Hamazkayin Press, 1972, p. 54.
• [49] Ibid., pp. 56-57.
• [50] For the 1878 figures, see Emma A. Gosdantian, “From K. Srvantsdyants’ Surveys of the Armenian-Populated Regions of Western Armenia,” Panper Hayasadni Arkhivneri [Newsletter of the National Archives of Armenia], Yerevan, n. 2, pp. 88-89. For the 1901 figures, see Raymond H. Kevorkian and Paul B. Paboudjian, Les Arméniens dans l'Empire ottoman à la veille du Génocide [Armenians in the Ottoman Empire on the Eve of the Genocide], Paris, ARHIS, 1992, pp. 420-433. In the case of certain villages, we have also used figures provided by Senior Priest Hagop Kosian, Partsr Hayk, volume 2, “The Villages of Garin,” Vienna, Mekhitarist Printing House, 1926 (Otsni: pp. 20-24; Badishen: pp. 25-27; Tvnig: pp. 27-31; Komk: pp. 31-32; Yergnisd: pp. 33-38; Ughdatsor: pp. 38-40; Khachgavank: pp. 40-56; Krindjk: pp. 57-60; Grdjgnots: pp. 61-62; Keghakhor: pp. 63-66; Umudum: pp. 66-70; Ardzati: pp. 73-83; Tinarikom: pp. 83-90; Hintsk: pp. 95-103; Garmir Vank: pp. 103-122; Tvandj: pp. 123-129; Tsitavoghk (Tsitogh): pp. 130-133; Moudourga: pp. 133-137; Soghchermoug: pp. 151-155; Skhnots: pp. 156-161; Gan: pp. 162-171; Çiftlik: pp. 171-175; Gez: pp. 176-180; Ilidja: pp. 181-183).
• [51] According to Raymond H. Kevorkian and Paul B. Paboudjian, Ermeniler 1915 Öncesinde Osmanlı İmparatorluğu’nda, Istanbul, Aras Yayıncılık, 2012, pp. 431-435; and the site Nişanyan Yeradları (Index Anatolicus) (https://www.nisanyanyeradlari.com).