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An interview with Armenian American Araxi Chorbajian Ayvasian in the 1970s recounted the violent history of the Armenian people of Eastern Europe. Araxi's Armenian ancestors attained important social standing during four centuries of Ottoman Turkish rule only to suffer mass genocide under the newly formed Turkish government during World War I. Mass murders of Armenians in the region had begun earlier, at the end of the nineteenth century, about the time of her birth. Araxi was born in Marash, Turkey, in the region of the former Armenian kingdom. Her Armenian heritage is evident in part by the "ian" ending to her surname, as is the case with most Armenians.

In the interview, Araxi recalled the turbulent period's impacts on her family beginning in 1904 when her father was injured by acid tossed at him. Forced to flee in 1915 due to Turkish actions against Armenians, the Araxi family left their home and family...