The Dardarian Family
My name is Alma Dardarian Warner. Leo (Levon) Dardarian and Anna Balimian Alexanian were both born in Istanos in Sebastia. My father Leo emigrated in 1920, in his early twenties. My mother Anna emigrated in 1921 at age 16. Her port of entry was Ellis Island. They both settled in Niagara Falls, New York, joining a few friends and relations who had arrived earlier.
They did not know each other in Armenia, but were married soon after meeting in Niagara Falls. Each of them suffered greatly during the Genocide, experiencing horrific events and losing most of their family members, as well as a place to call home. My mother dictated her story to a tape recorder because it was too painful for her to tell directly to her family. My father refused to discuss anything about what happened to him, except that he feared for his life and had to leave the country.
They raised five children: Leone (Asnif) Buffan, Martha (Knar) Smudski, Leo Peter Dardarian, Alma D. Warner, and Barbara Gabriel Dardarian. In the early days, my father worked as a dishwasher in Louis’ Restaurant. He eventually purchased and expanded Louis’ with a partner. My mother, who never had a chance to go to school, learned to speak and read English with the help of the International Institute in Niagara Falls. Throughout their lives my parents stressed the importance of education, honesty, and being respectful of all people. They worked hard, helped other Armenians, and had a strong commitment to building a life in America.
The vest I am holding came to America with my father. The bracelet belonged to my mother. My pomegranate necklace was given to me by my daughter Beth, who brought it back from a Fuller Center service trip to build homes in Armenia in 2012. These are things I treasure, but most of all I treasure the strength and courage of my parents and the values and beliefs they have passed on to the next generation of my family.