Who was Mr Arsen Siraganian?

Mr Arsen Siraganian, also known as Orsen Sirayanian, was a 22 (twenty-two) year-old Armenian farmer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. He was one of many emigrants seeking a new life in Canada, fleeing religious persecution in his homeland.

Early Life and Background

Born in 1890, Arsen Siraganian hailed from a region that was, in 1912, part of Turkish-occupied Armenia. As a Christian living in a predominantly Muslim area, Siraganian faced significant challenges and threats to his safety.

Religious Tensions and Emigration Decision

The early 20th century was a tumultuous time for Christians in the Ottoman Empire, particularly in Armenian regions. Siraganian’s life was directly impacted by these tensions:

Renewed vendetta against Christians by Turkish Muslims
Ongoing persecution and threats to personal safety
Limited opportunities for religious freedom and economic advancement

These factors led Siraganian and several of his compatriots to make the life-changing decision to emigrate to Canada. Among his fellow Armenian emigrants were:

Neshan Krekorian
Haroutioun Zakarian
Mampré Zakarian
David Vartanian

The Fateful Journey

Boarding the Titanic

Mr Siraganian embarked on his journey to a new life by boarding the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France. Key details of his passage include:

Class: 3rd Class passenger
Ticket Number: 2669
Fare: £7 4s

The Sinking and Siraganian’s Fate

Tragically, Arsen Siraganian did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. He was just 22 (twenty-two) years old when he lost his life in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. The circumstances of his final moments remain unknown, as was the case for many third-class passengers who faced significant challenges in reaching the lifeboats.

Legacy and Remembrance

Unidentified Remains

“His body, if recovered, was never identified.”

This poignant fact underscores the scale of the tragedy and the difficulties faced by families and friends in finding closure. Many victims of the Titanic disaster, like Siraganian, were never found or identified, leaving their loved ones to wonder about their final moments.

A Story of Migration and Hope

Arsen Siraganian’s story is a testament to the broader narrative of migration and the pursuit of a better life that the Titanic has come to symbolize. His journey represents the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants who risked everything for the promise of a new beginning.

Historical Context: Armenian Emigration in the Early 20th Century

Siraganian’s emigration was part of a larger exodus of Armenians from the Ottoman Empire during this period. Factors contributing to this emigration included:

Religious persecution
Economic hardship
Political instability
The looming threat of genocide (which would tragically unfold in 1915)

The decision of Siraganian and his compatriots to seek refuge in Canada highlights the global nature of the Titanic’s passenger list and the ship’s role in the great migrations of the early 20th century.

Remembering the Forgotten

While Arsen Siraganian’s life was cut tragically short, his story serves as a reminder of the many individual tragedies that made up the larger disaster of the Titanic. It also sheds light on the often-overlooked stories of third-class passengers and immigrants whose dreams of a new life were ended that fateful night in April 1912.