Diana Apcar (Diana Abgar) (1859–1937) was a prominent writer and humanitarian, historically recognized as the first woman to hold a diplomatic post and serve as an ambassador in the history of Armenia, and among the first women in the world to hold such a position. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives, Inc.

Ishtartv.com

A family’s journey from the Assyrian homeland to the United States has shed light on the humanitarian efforts that helped Assyrian and Armenian refugees find safety in Japan following the genocides and mass displacement of the First World War.

A report published by The Armenian Mirror-Spectator on October 15, 2026, titled “Finding Mrs. Apcar: An Assyrian Family’s Journey Through Japan,” recounts how Julia Halesey’s discovery of her family’s history led to a broader investigation into the experiences of Assyrian survivors and the humanitarian networks that assisted refugees travelling through Japan.

Discovering a Family’s Connection to Seyfo

In 2020, Julia Halesey, an American dentist, discovered that her family’s immigration to the United States was connected to the genocide and persecution suffered by the Assyrians during the First World War, known as Seyfo, or “the Year of the Sword.”

A conversation with an Assyrian patient prompted Halesey to investigate her family’s past and the circumstances that had forced her ancestors to leave their homeland.

Her grandparents had lived in the village of Abdullah Kendi, also known as Atlagandi, near Lake Urmia in present-day Iran. After their village was plundered, the family fled south with other displaced Assyrians. Halesey’s father was later born in a refugee camp administered by British authorities in Mesopotamia.

As refugee camps closed and survivors searched for opportunities to rebuild their lives, the family eventually embarked on a long journey across Asia, passing through Japan before reaching the United States.

Japan as a Refuge for Assyrian and Armenian Refugees

The exact route taken by Halesey’s family to Japan remains uncertain. However, the researchers suggest that the family may have travelled south to Basra before continuing by sea through Asian ports such as Singapore, Hong Kong, or Shanghai, eventually reaching Yokohama.

From Japan, the family crossed the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco, completing an extraordinary journey shaped by displacement, uncertainty, and the search for safety.

The report highlights Japan’s role not merely as a transit point but also as a place where humanitarian networks assisted Christian refugees from the Middle East, including Assyrians and Armenians seeking to reunite with relatives in the United States or establish new lives elsewhere.

Diana Agabeg Apcar’s Humanitarian Efforts

The story brings renewed attention to Diana Agabeg Apcar, an Armenian humanitarian and community figure who helped refugees in Japan during this period.

Newly uncovered documents point to her involvement in relief efforts in Yokohama that supported Armenian and Assyrian refugees. Assistance included accommodation, clothing, essential supplies, and help arranging onward travel for those hoping to reach relatives in the United States.

Her work was connected to a wider refugee relief initiative led by Herbert Stanley Snider of the local Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), who headed a committee assisting Christian refugees from the Near East in Japan.

Snider reported that the committee had assisted more than 200 Armenian and Assyrian refugees during the year ending September 30, 1919.

Among the significant documents uncovered by researcher Meline Mesrobian was a letter written by Apcar to the American Red Cross in Vladivostok on May 29, 1919. The letter concerned a group of 15 Assyrian refugees who had arrived in Japan without sufficient funds to continue their journey to America.

Apcar warned that the committee would have to assume responsibility for their expenses if they remained in Japan and identified Snider as the head of their committee. The document establishes a direct connection between Apcar and organized refugee assistance, although the precise nature of her formal role within the committee remains unclear.

Preserving the Memory of Seyfo

For Halesey, discovering her family’s history transformed her understanding of her identity and the sacrifices made by previous generations. What had once appeared to be an ordinary immigration story became a story of survival after the loss of a homeland and family members.

The report also highlights the broader fate of Assyrians after the First World War, when hopes for international protection and a secure homeland remained unfulfilled, forcing many survivors to seek refuge and settle in distant countries.

Apcar’s story adds another dimension to this history, demonstrating how humanitarian solidarity crossed national and ethnic boundaries to support communities facing persecution and displacement.

The account serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the memory of Seyfo, documenting the experiences of survivors, and recognizing those who helped displaced families rebuild their lives.

Source: The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, October 15, 2026, “Finding Mrs. Apcar: An Assyrian Family’s Journey Through Japan.”