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