The traumatic experiences of Ottoman Greek refugees leaving Alaçatı for the US were transgenerationally transferred to their descendants, who embody them as they recall them.

 The traumatic experiences of Ottoman Greek refugees leaving Alaçatı for the US were transgenerationally transferred to their descendants, who embody them as they recall them.


The following passage constitutes an example from the OGUS archive. 


"Growing up in my formative years in this section of Sommerville called Brickbottom, where there were so many Alatsatianoi who had moved to that area. It was sort of a common history, a common story for all the kids growing up and hearing about [their immigration], and some of the stories were quite harrowing. An aunt of mine was raped by Turkish soldiers in the process of their leaving. I grew up being very much aware of the trials and tribulations that my parents's generation went through in coming here. So it always stayed with me. From what I understand, once they left Alatsata, they made a headway to Athens because they very much wanted to enter the US as Greeks as opposed to coming from Asia Minor and being considered Turks. So it was one of leaving Alatsata, getting on to Chios, and from Chios, getting to Athens and Piraeus specifically. I have in possession the steamer trunk when they came over." 

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