Patricia Louise MacKellar Stephenson

and her

French Connection

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As a young college student in Aix-en-Province, Patty visited her great aunt in Marsaille, France. Patty's grandfather ((Hourtine (Harry) Kalpakian)) immigrated to the United States in 1923 with his family as Armenian refugees from Turkey, leaving behind brothers and sisters that went to different parts of Europe. After Harry's death in 1963 there was less communication until all was lost. Now in January of 2016 communication lines have been re-established. Miracles can and do happen. Harry's brother Nishan Kalpakian, frist moved to Romania, but ended up in France and his grandson, Frederic Kaloustian, at the request of this mother, Armine, began to research for his grandfather's brother, Harry Kalpakian, and he found my website where I have all the family genalogical information. Frederic's sister, Astrid, worte to Patty's cousin, Laura Kalpakian. Laura emailed Patty and Patty emailed Astrid. Just a few days ago (Spring 2016) we received 4 pictures that are below.

The First Meeting | The Paris Meeting | Older Family Pictures | - French Cousins |

Miracles Do Happen

Kalpakian family
Harry Kalpakian (on the right)
circa 1891
Armine Kalpakian Kaloustian
sister of Hagop Kalpakian
daughter of Nishan Kalpakian
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian
daughter of Astrid Kaloustian
Nishan Kalpakian kid's
Armine Kalpakian
Hagop (called Jacques in French) Kalpakian
about 1941
I found this picture which I think is of the same kids on the left. The picture is labeled Brother Nishan's kids.
July 23, 1935

Lyon, France
On October 31, 2017 Patty and I traveled to Lyon, France to meet the cousins for the very first time. We were warmly welcomed that evening and it lasted until almost midnight. We met again over the next two days and had a wonderful time.

Pictures of that First Meeting and the next two days

Patty MacKellar Stephenson
Armine Kalpakian Kaloustian
Patty is first cousin once removed to Armine
Patty MacKellar Stephenson
Armine Kalpakian Kaloustian
Astrid Kaloustian
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian (daughter)
Patty MacKellar Stephenson
Armine Kalpakian Kaloustian
Astrid Kaloustian
Federic Kaloustian
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian (9 years old)
Amrican Kalpakian Family (about 1955)|
back row- George MacKellar, Harriett Kalpkian, son Richard Bown, Finley Bown, Betty Kalpakian Bown, Bill Johnson
middle row - son Jim MacKellar, Angagh Kalpakian MacKellar, Harry Kalpakian, Hellen Kalpakian, Peggy Kalpakian Johnson, daughter Peggy Ann Johnson (aka Laura Kalpakian)
front row - Patty MacKellar, Nancy MacKellar, Helen Johnson, Doug Johnson
Federic Kaloustian
Patty MacKellar Stephenson
2nd cousins

Picture taken in front of Federic apartment in Lyon, France

Astrid Kaloustian
Patty MacKellar Stephenson
2nd Cousins

Sonia Kaloustian
Patty MacKellar Stephenson
2nd Cousins
Walking to the restaurant we discovered a pile of leaves
Federic Kaloustian
Astrid Kaloustian
Agathe Lorez-Kalouostian
Continuning our walk to the restaurant
Astrid Kaloustian
Federic Kaloustian
Armine Kaloustian
Armine Kalpakian Kaloustian
small quilt made by Armine and given
to Patty MacKellar Stephenson
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian (9 years old)
Patty MacKellar Stephenson
Agathe is a second cousin, once removed to Patty

Sonia Kaloustian
Holding a picture of her and her siblings
2nd cousin to Patty

Edgar and Myda
We first learned of Myda this day
She is the granddaughter of
Zabelle Kalpakian (sister of Harry Kalpakian)
Agathe Kaloustian (9 years olds)
Federic Kaloustian
Patty MacKellar Stephenson
Sonia Kaloustian
Astrid Kaloustian
Armine Kalpakian Kaloustian
Federic Kaloustian
Sonia Kaloustian
(brother and sister)
A young Astrid Kaloustian
Armine Kalpakian Kaloustian
with husband Jean Kaloustian
December 24, 2013
The Kaloustian Family
     

Patty MacKellar Stephenson|
Federic Kaloustian

Walking on the Roman Road
in Lyon, France

Museum of the Roman Road
in Lyon, France
Federic drove us aroud Lyon
Roman Ruins
Lyon, France
Roman Ruins
Lyon, France
Roman Ruins
Lyon, France
Roman Ruins
Roman Road at night
Lyon, France
Roman Road
Lyon, France
Our Fabulous Guide around Lyon
Federic Kaloustian
Sonia Kaloustian
April 2017 - Alsace
Sonia Kaloustian
June 2016
Nishan Kalpakian
niece-Linda Kalpakian
Armine Kalpakian-daughter of Nishan
Jean Kaloustian (husband)
Armine Kalpakian Kaloustian
   
Armine Kalpakian Kaloustian
Niece - Linda Kalpakian
   
     
     

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Paris, France
The day we left Lyon, Patty and I drove to Paris to turn in our car and to visit Astrid and her husband and another 2nd cousin on the second day in Paris. Federic took the TGV (high speed rail) to Paris and joined us for the second day.

Our host in Paris
Astrid Kaloustian
Hugues Lorez
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian

Father and Daughter
Hugues Lorez
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian

Agathe with her colord "wine" for dinner
Jenk Stephenson
Patty Stephenson
Astrid Kaloustian
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian
Hugues Lorez
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian
Patty MacKellar Stephenson
From Agathe's bedroom we can see the
Eiffel Tower of Paris
Only a five minute walk
Myda
(granddaughter of Zabelle Kalpakian
Patty Stephenson
(granddaughter of Harry Kalpakian)
2nd cousins
Dinner with all the family
Myda
Astrid Kaloustian
Edgar
Federic Kaloustian
Jenk Stephenson
Patty Stephenson
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian

While at lunch, Agathe filled a whole
notebook with cartoon covnersation
Myda and Edgar
Strolling after our lunch
Patty Stephenson
Myda
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian
Astrid Kaloustian
Edgar
Eiffel Tower in the background
Jenk Stephenson
Patty Stephenson
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian
Myda
Edgar
The view as we stroll
Jenk Stephenson
Eiffel Tower of Paris
Astrid Kaloustian
Patty Stephenson
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian
 
Jenk Stephenson
Astrid Kaloustian
Patty Stephenson
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian
Agathe Lorez-Kaloustian
 
     


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Older Family Pictures

French Cousins