CROATIA AND CROATIANS
In order to understand the history, culture and people of Croatia, one must first be aware that Croatia was ruled, administered, conquered, and federated with Yugoslavia, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Austria, Hungary and the Protectorate of Hungary, Italy, Turkey, the Republic of Venice and the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) for up to 900 years. Croatia was partitioned at the same time for up to 400 years between Austria, Hungary, Venice and Turkey. On Croatian territory we have Catholics, Moslems (Ethnic Croatians), Jews, Orthdox, Grko Catholics and some Protestants. Further, Croatia has a Croatian ethnic majority, a Serbian minority (5%) that migrated to Croatian territory, Hungarians and Italians. An individual with a desire to study the history, culture and people of Croatia would out of necessity have to read portions of Austrian, Hungarian, Turkish and Italian history.
About Croatian Immigration
Croatian immigration would have the same considerations as above. Croatians have migrated for over 300 years. Prior to the discovery of America, Croatians migrated to (and were taken into slavery) Turkey, Austria, Italy, Venice, Spain and to other parts of Western Europe. Croatian Galleons were in regular trade with Spain, Portugal, France, England, Italy and the Ottoman Turks prior to the discovery of America. Croatian immigration to the New World started with their participation in Spanish, Portuguese, and Venetian fleet and mercantile operations.
When Croatians migrated they left as nationals or citizens of Austria, Italy-Venice, Hungary or Turkey. Ethnically they were always Croatians, but in immigration Croatians were identified by America, Canada, South America, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia as above or in recent times as Yugoslavs and were recorded as such.
Misidentified Croatians
Because of a lack of a Nation-State, Croatians were in most cases identified by the country that ruled them and were not accorded a place in history. Almost all Croatians that made a contribution to any endeavor were misidentified. A few examples: John Dominis-Gospodnetich--Italian, Venetian--Prince Consort to last Queen of Hawaii, Queen Lilioukalani. Origins were from Island of Brac, Croatia; Joseph Haydn-Hajdin--famous Austrian composer. Origins were Croatian; Marco Polo-Pilich--Venetian explorer to China. Origins were Sibenik, Croatia, born on Island of Korcula, Croatia; Peter Tomich--Austrian. Medal of Honor winner, Pearl Harbor. Born Croatian in Hercegovina; Ferdinand Konscak-Gonzaga--Austrian. A Priest, proved California was not an island. Origin was Varazdin, Croatia; Bozo de Raguza..Hungarian. Voyage of exploration in South America, 1520’s. Origin Croatia.
Croatian Language
Serbo-Croatian was the term used in the English speaking world for the Croatian language since the end of World War 1 (1918); prior to the formation of Yugoslavia and the end of WW I, Croatia and Serbia had never been historically united, they were simply Slavic neighbors. Croatians formalized their alphabet in approximately 1850 with the use of a diacritical-accent mark system.
Croatians coming to America, based on circumstance of where they came from in Croatia, had their names modified on passports. A good example would be that in the Italian alphabet there is no “K”, so those named Kristovic from Dalmatia or Istria would be registered as Christovich on their passport. Some from Dalmatia or Istria would also use two versions of their name for business reasons such as Mladinic-Mladineo, Marijanovic-Mariani.
An accent or diacritical mark was used by the Croatian language. So, a persons name could have been modified to conform to the Italian, Austrian or Hungarian alphabet or language. Then again changed by American authorities to conform to English. Many Croatians also had Clan names (Nadimak) that were a legitimate part of their name, and some immigrants used their clan name as it may have been easily pronounced in America
Coming to America
The first Croatian imigrants migrated to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. This started approximately 200 years ago. They actually migrated to Spanish and French America which is now part of America. In the South they were fishermen, oystermen, mariners, and business men. They were in Biloxi, Mississippi, Mobile Bay, Alabama and in Plaquemines Parish and New Orleans, Louisiana. In fact, four military companies of Croatians were organized in the Confederate Army. A Croatian Society and Cemetery was organized in 1873 in New Orleans.
With the discovery of gold in California, many left the South for the goldfields of California. They arrived in 1849. They were goldminers, mariners, fishermen, bartenders, saloon and coffee saloon keepers, restaurant owners, fruit, liquor and fish suppliers. The Croatians could be found in all goldmining areas of California and silvermining areas of Nevada. With the collapse of the mines, they purchased farmland and were pioneers in wineries, vineyards, and orchards. The first Croatian Society and Cemetery was organized in 1857 in San Francisco. Some of these Croatians settled in Nevada, Arizona, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and on the west coast of Canada.
The majority of the above Croatians came from Dalmatia and Istria with a strong Venetian-Italian influence. The Venetians called them Schiavoni or “Slavonians” rather than Croati-Croatians so that they would not rebel and join their inland Croatian brothers. In many cases “Slavonian” was used in the West and South....this became an Americanism and had no relationship to Slavonia in Croatia.
Croatians immigrating to the East and Midwest came during the Industrial Revolution of the 1870’s and settled in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and West Virginia. The majority were employed in steel mills, coalmining, mining, packing houses and other types of heavy industry. They came with a strong sense and feeling of their Croatian heritage. They formed societies, clubs, social clubs and singing and tamburitza instrument groups. The first Croatian Society was formed in 1894 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Croatians seeking work later moved into Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah. They worked in open or strip mining enterprises.
In all communities where they settled they formed benevolent societies and cultural societies.
CROATIANS IN AMERICA
Books about Croatians
Islands of Brac-Korcula-Krk-Mljet-Olib and Istria
Directories
By States California-Louisiana-Nevada
Pioneer Index California
Biographies
Guidebooks-Newspapers-Statistics
Bibliographies
Gold and Silver Mines and Miners
Fish and Fishing
Hawaii-Dominis-Gospodnetich
Oil Discovery Texas-California
Military-Marine
Music-Festivals
Religion
Slavs-Eastern Europeans-Immigrants
Sports
Wine
Yugoslavs
Miscellaneous America
CROATIANS IN AMERICA
Books
Tresic-Pavicic, A Dr. Preko Atlantika Do Pacifica Zivot Hrvata U Sjevernoj Americi. Zagreb: Dionicke Tiskare, 1907. From the Atlantic to the Pacific-Croatians in America.
Govorchin, Gerald S. Americans From Yugoslavia. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida Press, 1961. Over 80% are Croatians.
Prpic, George J. The Croatian Immigrants in America. New York: Philosophical Library, 1971.
Ifkovic, Edward. The Yugoslavs in America. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1977. Over 80% are Croatians.
Eterovich, Adam S. Croatian Pioneers in America, 1685-1900. San Carlos, Ca.: Ragusan Press, 1979.
Cizmic, Ivan. Hrvati u Zivotu Sjedinjenih Americkih Drzava. Zagreb: Globus, 1982. Croatians in the USA.
Shapiro, Ellen. Croatian Americans. Edgemont, PA: Chelsea House, 1988.
Island of Brac
Derado, Klement, and Ivan Cizmic. Iseljenici Otoka Braca, Bracki zbornik ; br. 13. Zagreb: SIZ za kulturu opcine Brac, 1982. Immigrants from the Island of Brac.
Island of Korcula
Separovic, Zvonimir. Od Sydneya do San Francisca : dijaspora ili rasutost mjestana Blata na Korculi diljem svijeta. Cakovec, Croatia: Zrinski, 1982. Immigrants from Blato, Island of Korcula, Croatia in the world.
Island of Krk
Bozanic, Anton. Hrvatsko Iseljenistvo u Sad i Krcani u New York. Krk: Krk Zbornik, 1996.
Island of Mljet
Dabelic, Ivo. Mljetans in America. Dubrovnik: Markulin, 1993.
Island of Olib
Dijanic, Slavo and Joyce Skalkov Mattea. Chronicle of the Olibljani Migration. San Francisco: Private, 1992. Pioneers from the Island of Olib, Croatia in America.
Istrian Immigration
Tumpic, Dusan. Istarska emigracija : svjedocanstva, Monografije. Zagreb: NIP "Alinea", 1991.
Directories
Paskijevic, Peroslav. Adresar Trgovaca, Obrtnika i Drugih Uglenijih Pripadnika iz Hrvatse Slovonije, Dalmacije, Istre Nastanjenih u Americi, Africi, Aziju i Australiji. Zagreb: By the Author, 1902. Imigrant directory. Croatians in American, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Mladineo, Ivan D. Nardoni Adresar Hrvata, Slovenaca, Srba: The National Directory of the Croat-Slovene-Serb Organizations, Institutions, Business, Professional and Social Leaders in the United States and Canada. New York, 1937.
Eterovich, Adam S. Croatian Directory of Institutions in America and Canada. San Carlos, Calif: Ragusan Press, 1999. Includes retail outlets of Croatian products.
Eterovich, Adam S. Croatian Business and Professional Directory of California. San Carlos, Ca: Ragusan Press, 1999. Includes profession and phone numbers.
States
Eterovich, Adam S. Croatians in California, 1849-1999. San Carlos, Ca: Ragusan Press, 2000. Gold Rush pioneers, the wild west-saloons, restaurants, farms, orchards, vineyards, fishermen, music, celebrations, societies, churches and 1000's of individuals.
Eterovich, Adam S. Yugoslavs in Nevada, 1859-1900. San Carlos, Calif.: Ragusan Press, 1973. From Croatia, Hercegovina and the Boka Kotor.
Meler, V. The Slavonic Pioneers of California. San Francisco: The Slavonic Pioneers SMBS, 1932.
Vujnovich, Milos. Yugoslavs in Louisiana. New Orleans: Pelican Press, 1974. At least 95% are Croatians.
Pioneer Index
Eterovich, Adam S. and Simich, Jerry L. General Index to Croatian Pioneers in California, 1849-1999. San Carlos, Ca.: Ragusan Press, 2000.An Index by Name, Date, Occupation or Activity, Location, Town of Origin and Reference Source. Abstracted from cemeteries, voting registers, census, society records church records and other source. 45,000 individuals.Includes marriage groups.
Guidebooks
Kaziput. Croatian Immigrants Guidebook to America. Hartford, Conn: Kaziput, 1914.
Biographies
Eterovich, Adam. Croatian American Personalities, Past and Present. San Carlos, 2002. Computer biographies of 1600 Croatian Americans with Index by occupation.
Eterovich, Francis. Biographical Directory of Scholars, Artists and Professionals of Croatian Descent in The United States and Canada. Chicago, 1963.
Markotic, Vladimir. Biographical Directory of Americans and Canadians of Croatian Descent. Calgary: Research Centre for Canadian Ethinic Studies, 1973.
Krasic, Ljubo. Outstanding American and Canadian Croats, Almanac. Chicago: Croatian Ethnic Institute, 2001.
Maletic, Franjo. Who is Who in Croatia. Zagreb: Golden Marketing, 1993.
Newspapers
Kestercanek, Nada. Croatian Newspapers And Calendars in the United States. San Francisco: R & E Research Assocs., 1971.
Prpic, George J. The Croatian Publications Abroad After 1939; A Bibliography. Cleveland: John Carroll University, 1969.
Statistics
Marohnic, Josip. Popis Hrvata u Americi. Allegheny: American Croatian Press, 1902. Census of Croatians in America.
Lakatos, Josip. Narodna Statistika. Zagreb: Hrvatskog, 1914.
Colakovic, Branko M. Yugoslav Migrations to America. San Francisco: R & E Research Associates, 1973.
Kraljic, Frances. Croatian Migration to and from the United States 1900-1914. Palo ALto: Ragusan Press, 1978.
Eterovich, Adam S. Croatians in America, Austro-Hungary and Yugoslavia: Immigration-Emigration Statistics, Scrap Book. San Carlos, Calif.: Ragusan Press, 1981.
Bibliography
Prpic, George J. Croatia and the Croatians: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography in English. Scottsdale, Ariz.: Associated Book Publ., 1982.
Eterovich, Adam S. A Guide and Bibliography to Research on Yugoslavs in the United States and Canada. San Carlos, Calif.: Ragusan Press, 1978.
Gold and Silver
Alaska Herald. “The Gold Mines Near Sitka.” Alaska Herald, Dec. 12, 1873. Alaska Quartz Mining Co. owned by Mr. Millitich.
Ashbaugh, Don. Nevada's Turbulent Yesterday: A Study in Ghost Towns: Westmore Press, 1963.Page 232 mentions Slavonian Chief and John Gregovich.
Associated Press. “Campers Gassed in Sierra War Games.” S.F. Chronicle, August 9, 1983.Inyo County Sherrif Dennis Bacoch.
Badovinac, Robert. “George Margaretich in the West.” Zajednicar, Oct. 11, 2000.Gold Rush pioneer.
Bakulich, Virgil. The Flight of My Days. San Francisco, 1946.Born on Island of Brac. San Francisco policeman from 1894 to 1919.
Bancroft, Hubert Howe. History of Nevada: Colorado and Wyoming, 1540-1888. San Francisco: The History Company, 1890.Pages 207-212 mentions Austrians Marco Kuezerwitch and John Gaventi. Pyramid Lake Massacre.
Bancrofts Works (Nevada). “Massacre at Pyramid Lake-1860-Austrians-Slavonians Involved. Knezevich & Gaventi.” Bancroft, 1890.
Blair Booster. “John Chiatovich Obituary.” Blair Booster, March 13, 1907.
Bowen, A. W. Progressive Men of the State of Montana. Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 190?Biography of Marco Medin.
Browne, R. and J. 800 Old Motherlode Mines, 1898.
Buckbee, Edna. “Miner's Union organizers included Frank Gospodnetich and J. Gospodnetich at Angels Camp in 1885.” In Pioneer days of Angels Camp. Calaveras California, 1932.Pioneer days of Angels Camp
Buckbee, Edna Began. The Saga of Old Tuolumne, ?Mentions Slavonians
Carson Daily Appeal. “Perasich 'Shooting Affray'.” nevada crime, October 14, 1875.
Chalfant, W. A. Gold, Guns and Ghost Towns, 1947.P. 133: Perasich a guard during Carson City prison break of Sept. 1871.
Chickering, Allen L. “A Frenchman in the Panamints.” California Historical Quarterly, September, 1938 1938, p. 211 & 212.Mentions Perasich in 1873
Daily Safeguard. “Nikola Gugnina vs. M. Marincovich & N. Gugnina vs. P. Gugnina.” Daily Safeguard, Nov. 14, 1868.Virginia City. Court Case.
Daily Territorial Enterprise. “Nicholas Paolovich vs. Issac P. Van Hagen over 10,000 Damages for False Imprisonment.” Daily Territorial Enterprise, Jan. 10, 1867.Virginia City court case.
Daily Territorical Enterprise. “Marco Medin vs. Mayor & Board of Aldermen.” Daily Territorial Enterprise, Jan. 8, 1867.Virginia City Court Case.
Dane, Ezra G. Ghost Town, ? Mentions Austrians
Davis, Sam P. History of Nevada. Reno and Los Angeles: Elpas Publishing Company, 1913.Page 855 Slavonians at Columbus, p. 969 John Lazarevich, p. 1197 John Gregovich with picture.
Dom i Svijet. “Joseph Kralj-Indian Massacre.” Dom i Svijet, 1900. In 1853 Joseph Kralj from Mrkopolje and three other Croatians from Novi Vinodol involved in Indian Massacre on way to California.
Drury, Wells. “Sclavonians Original Silver Mine Locaters in Columbus Districts.” True Fissure, Nov. 27, 1880.
Drzic, Tomislav. “Obracun u Carson Cityju.” Vjesnik u Srijdu, June 19, 1974.Based on Adam S. Eterovich material.
Drzic, Tomislav. “Revenge of The Perasich Brothers.” Vjesnik u Srijedu, June 12, 1974 1974.Gunfight and killing based on Adam Eterovich material.
Eterovich, Adam S. “525 Indians Looking for Peratrovich-Petovich-Paretovich.” Croatian American Times, August 29, 2000. Island named after him. Had three Indian wives and 29 children.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Antonio and Vincent Milatovich in Nevada-1860's.” In Croatian Pioneers in America. 1650-1900, pp119-122. San Carlos, Calif.: Ragusan Press, 1979.Largest provision house in Nevada
Eterovich, Adam S. “Chiatovich Clan in Nevada.” Croatian American, August 30, 2005.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Croatian Bad Guys in the American Wild West.” Hrvatski Vjesnik, April 26, 2002.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Croatian Businessmen in the Wild West.” Croatian American Times, May 1, 2001.
Eterovich, Adam S. Croatians in California, 1849-1999. San Carlos, Ca: Ragusan Press, 2000.Gold Rush pioneers, the wild west-saloons, restaurants, farms , orchards, vineyards, fishermen, music, celebrations,societies, churches and 1000's of individuals.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Croatians Scalped by Indians-Joseph Kralj.” Croatian American Times, October 19, 1999.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Croats and California's Gold Rush.” Croatian American Times, May 8, 2002.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Dalmatian and Montenegrin Communities in the West and South, 1775-1920.” Paper presented at the Yugoslavian Heritage in the USA, University of Minnesota 1977.
Eterovich, Adam S. “The Gunfight and Killing of Nikola Perasich.” Iseljenicki-Zagreb.Gunfight at his restaurant in the Panamint Mountains in 1875.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Gunfight and Killing of Nikola Perasich March 11, 1875.” Jugoslav American Herald, July 24, 1963.
Eterovich, Adam S. “How the San Francisco Vigilantes Originated-The Sazarac Lying Club of 1873.” Croatian American Times, January 15, 2000.Story about a Slavonian.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Hrvati na Divljem Zapadu 1.” Slobodna Dalmacija, November 7, 2001. Croatian Americans Matulich, Mathieu, Illich, in the 1770's.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Hrvati na Divljem Zapadu 2.” Slobodna Dalmacija, November 8, 2001. Dalmatians in the Gold Rush.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Hrvati na Divljem Zapadu 3.” Slobodna Dalmacija, November 9, 2001. Croatian Americans Vladislavich, Margaretrich, Markovich, Matich, Simcich, Sutich, Vlautin in the Gold Rush.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Hrvati na Divljem Zapadu 4.” Slobodna Dalmacija, November 10, 2001. Croatian Americans Kralj, Mazzanovich in Indian troubles.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Hrvati na Divljem Zapadu 5.” Slobodna Dalmacija, November 11, 2001. Mazzanovich and Geronimo.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Hrvati na Divljem Zapadu 6.” Slobodna Dalmacija, November 12, 2001. Mazzanovich and Wyatt Earp.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Hrvati na Divljem Zapadu 7.” Slobodna Dalmacija, November 13, 2001. Croatian Americans in gunfights.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Hrvati na Divljem Zapadu 8.” Slobodna Dalmacija, November 14, 2001.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Martin Koscina and the Delmonico Restaurant in Nevada.” Croatian American Times, October 26, 1999.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Mathew Ivankovich at the Discovery of Gold in California.” Croatian American Times, October 10, 2000.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Nevada Pioneers, 1860-1880.” Jugoslav American Herald, Jan 29, 1964.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Pasetta's: From Goldminers to Hollywood Producers.” Croatian American Times, August 8, 2000.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Pioneers from the Boka Kotorska and Vicinity, 1850-1880 in the West.” Jugoslav American Herald, Jan 24, 1962.Croatians and Montenegrins
Eterovich, Adam S. “Saga of Marco Medin,1860's, Virginia City.” Zajednicar, Jan 15, 1964.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Sazerac Lying Club, 1873,of Nevada.”Jugoslav American Herald, Nov 30, 1964.Croatians and how the SF Vigilantees were formed.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Slav Pioneer Medin Contributes to History--Nevada, 1860's.” Jugoslav American Herald, Nov 13, 1963.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Slavonian Pioneers in Nevada, 1859-1880.” Zajednicar, Dec 21, 1966.
Eterovich, Adam S. “U Vrijeme Zlatne Groznice.” Matica-Zagreb, Nov 1961.Croatians in the California Gold Rush
Eterovich, Adam S. “Virgil Bakulich-San Francisco Policeman.” Croatian American Times, October 26, 1999.
Eterovich, Adam S. “Wild West Badmen: Vina Nemamo-Kruha Je Nestalo.” Croatian American Times, August 15, 2000.
Eterovich, Adam S. and Simich, Jerry L. General Index to Croatian Pioneers in California, 1849-1999. San Carlos, Ca.: Ragusan Press, 2000. An Index by Name, Date, Occupation or Activity, Location, Town of Origin and Reference Source. Abstracted from cemeteries, voting registers, census, society records church records and other source. 45,000 indIviduals.Includes marriage groups.