How did the Armenian genocide shape your history?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/13/armenian-genocide-your-stories

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Preparations are under way to mark the centenary of the Armenian genocide. According to historical estimates 1.5 million people lost their lives in state-organised violence at the hands of Ottoman forces, in what was then eastern Turkey.

The massacre, which is commemorated on 24 April 2015, also saw hundreds and thousands of Armenians displaced.

Related: Pope boosts Armenia's efforts to have Ottoman killings recognised as genocide

The term genocide is controversial. Turkey has refused to recognise the event, claiming that although between 300,000 – 500,000 Armenians died, at least as many Turks lost their lives as Armenians rose up against their Ottoman rulers siding with invading Russian troops.

In recent years the Turkish government has made moves to recognise the suffering, but Armenia has accused the Turks of continuing to ignore the facts.

In special mass at the Vatican on Sunday, Pope Francis called the massacre “the first genocide of the 20th century”, a message which Turkey received with “great disappointment and sadness”.

Your stories

If you are in Armenia, or part of the Armenian diaspora living abroad, we want to hear your stories of how the genocide shaped your family history.

Have you held on to artefacts, letters or photos from the time? Did your family escape, and how has that affected where you live today? We’d also like to hear how you commemorate the anniversary – and if you are doing anything special to mark the centenary.

Upload your stories via the form below or email maeve.shearlaw@theguardian.com and we’ll use some of them in our coverage of the anniversary.

Update: please note that due to the large volume of response we may not be able to get back to everyone individually