Haroutun MELIKIAN
Social Security Death Index
IMMIGRATION: Arrived in New York aboard "La Bretagne," 10 Sep 1905, sailing from Havre, France on 2 Sep 1905. Aboard the ship are Haroutian (m-58), Nesho (f-51), Yervante (m-5), Arootiag (f-13), and Verkini (f-11). 1910 census named Ajortean, similar phonetics to Harotoun 1910 census Harotoun lists that this is his 4th marriage, and Nastia's second CHILDREN: The list of children is somewhat loose. Immigrating with him are children Yervant, Verkini (Virginia), and Arootiag. On the 1910 Census, Haroutun is shown with children Aram and Yervant, all having immigrated in 1906. Aram and Yervant list Bitlis, Turkey as their birthplace. On the 1910 census, living close by and working on other farms are the names (assumed from poorly written census records) Alexander, Neshran, and Ervan. In the WWI draft registration cards we find the name Mehron Melikian, also born in Bitlis, also living in Fresno. It is assumed that Mehron is also a child of Haroutun. On the 1930 census we find Mehron Melikian, who immigrated in 1906, no other important information to support his inclusion. In the obituary for Alexander we find that he lists surviving siblings as Aram and Mrs. Virginia Ayvazian, which is probably the American name for Verkini. Seeing that Harotoun was married 4 times, these children may not all be from this mother, although it will require additional research to sort out these children further.
SURNAME: Gathered from son Yervant's death record.
NAME: Merin or Mehron Papers submitted for naturalization by 1920
SSDI lists birth place as Russia Immigrated in 1905, papers in by 1920, naturalized by 1930 OCCUPATION: Winery owner. Details in notes. Occupation - Originally published in 1955, reprinted on http://www.oldandsold.com/articles02/fresno2.shtml : FRESNO COUNTY Alta Vineyards Company, Fresno This corporation, also doing business as Cameo Vineyards Company, is the successor to many a famous name in the history of the California wine industry. Beverly W. Goldthwaite is president and general manager of the company, D. S. Davis vice-president, and Margaret Shahenian secretary and treasurer. In 1949 the corporation, then newly formed, purchased the brands and listings of the old Alta Winery, formerly of Dinuba, Tulare County, where the colorful personality of Charlie Dubbs was for many years its leading light. The next year Alta bought the Cameo Winery, its present location, along with the Cameo brands and inventories. The vineyards were planted by Ed Melikian, president of the old Cameo Vineyards Company, Aram Melikian, and Ed Merzoian. Cecil Melikian, the nephew of the former Cameo president, is Alta's assistant manager. Alta Vineyards Company is also the successor to the Mattei name and interests. It was around a89o that Andrew Mattel, a native of Switzerland, founded his enterprise, planting vineyards near Malaga, southeast of Fresno, and building his winery nearby. For many years the Mattel name loomed large in the California wine industry and one of Alta's brands still carries his name. A new co-operative of wine grape growers was formed in the fall of 1954, Cameo Growers, who contracted with Alta for the making and selling of wine from their grapes. The winery's two principal brands are Alta and C.V.C. (Cameo Vineyards Company), used for a full line of dessert and table wines, while Croix Royale is used for the older wines. Dessert wines are the company's primary business. Aperitif and Dessert wines: Alta and C.V.C.: Sherry, Port, Muscatel, Tokay, and White Port; Alta: Dry and Sweet Vermouth; Croix Royale: Pale Dry Sherry, Tawny Port, Muscatel; Dry and Sweet Vermouth. Table wines: Alta and C.V.C.: Burgundy, Zinfandel, and Claret; Sauterne and Rhine. Alta Vineyards Company also has a number of other brands, including Cameo, Mattel, Mattevista, Scatena, and St. Charles, some of which have been famous at one time or another in the history of the California wine industry.
Aboard the ship with father Haroutun in 1905
OBITUARY EXTRACT: Virginia Ayvazian, 91, Fresnan 80 years, b. Armenia, d. Tuesday, services Friday, Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, bur. Belmont Memorial Park, Lisle Chapel directing. She was a member of the church, the Kerman Women's Federation and the Progressive Home Club. Surviving: dau. Marilyn Hodge, Sacramento; 3 grandchildren. Published in Fresno Bee 10/13/1983
Naturalized in Fresno 22 Dec 1921. Declared intention on 27 jul 1918. Does list Marmar Antamarian as his mother on the death record. NAME: Yervant or Edward
He married Marmar Fundugh Abt 1879 at of Bitlis, Bitlis, Armenia . Marmar Fundugh was born at of Bitlis, Bitlis, Armenia Abt 1848 .
They were the parents of 9
children:
Alexander Melikian
born Sep 1879.
Merin Melikian
born 5 Jul 1880.
Ervan Melikian
born Abt 1884.
Aram Harry Melikian
born 16 Mar 1886.
Arootiag Melikian
born Abt 1888.
Neshran Melikian
born Abt 1890.
Abesag Melikian
born 21 Nov 1890.
Virginia Melikian
born 18 Nov 1891.
Yervant Haroutun Melikian
born 28 Dec 1893.
Haroutun Melikian died 1915 .
Marmar Fundugh died Bef 1899 at of Bitlis, Bitlis, Armenia .