George Family

Joan George

Joan George’s detailed research of the UK Armenians is one of the most important sources for the community in this country.  She is the author of two books: “Merchants in Exile: The Armenians in Manchester, England, 1835-1935” and “Merchants to Magnates, Intrigue and Survival: Armenians in London, 1900 – 2000.”

Her mother Marie-Nevarte Manoukian was an Armenian living in Manchester, married to an Englishman, Roger Chorlton.  As Manchester was the primary destination for the first wave of Armenian immigrants, it has always had a sizeable and influential Armenian community.   Armenians run numerous businesses there (predominantly textile) and the first Armenian church in Great Britain was built there in 1871.  Joan George has always been interested in her Armenian roots and conducted some very thorough research in order to document and record the community’s life in Manchester and London.

We used her book extensively for research and especially her chapters on WW1, detailing the activities of the Armenian committees, relief efforts, prominent families, soldiers, public figures and businesses.