SEGULJA BULLETIN BOARD
all the news that fits

Send all family news to GOSSIP CENTRAL.

As many of you know, your webmaster has come across some hard times, and he has not been shy about expressing his displeasure--with both the incompetent Federal Reserve System and the do nothing Congress that confirmed the Fed Chair's appointment--in a very public manner, primarily on the internet.

It seems that I have attracted some high profile viewers that want me to cool it. I say, "To Hell with them! If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!"

Check out their mealy mouthed plea:

Dear Mike

We understand your frustration with the system; sometimes, even we cannot believe it can work so slowly and accomplish so little. We understand the groundswell of support you are attracting as evinced by this film clip www.News3Online.com but, your campaign is giving people a lot of false hopes--do you really think that if we let them keep their tax dollars that they can get the necessities that we can provide for them?

And, what if you win? Do you have any idea what you will do your first hour/day/week in office? [As a matter of fact, I do]

You've had your 15 minutes of fame. What say, you abandon this folly? Perhaps, an Ambassadorship, say to Croatia might change your mind?

You don't really want to change America, do you?

Best regards,


John and Barack

Kiwi 2nd cousin Drina Dobrec's grandson, her son Ivan and Rachel's son, Sam, makes news in Auckland, New Zealand, as he participates in a school project aimed at perpetuating New Zealand's biodiversity. Drina's husband/Sam's grandfather, Goris Dobrec is 2nd cousin to the Auckland Maricic's, who in turn are 2nd cousins to the USA and Novi Seguljas. Young Sam's great grandparents were Matt Mudrovcic and Elza Mrzljak, while his great, great grandparents were Visko Mudrovcic and Maria Zoricic. Visco was the brother of Marija and Ivanja Mudrovcic who became the matriarchs of the Texas and Arizona Seguljas.
Something in the soil

Sunderland Primary School pupils have been quietly cultivating giants. Kylie Munro explains. Seedlings rescued from a West Auckland roadside have inspired Sunderland Primary School pupils to give back to the environment. Pupils in the Year 5 class have grown eight kahikatea trees as part of their science class on forests, estuaries and rocky shores. The kahikatea grows to more than 45m and is New Zealand's tallest forest tree. Pupil Jonathan Bolter, 9, says he discovered the seedlings near a mother tree on the side of a road and had to save them. ``The road was about to have some works done on it and they would have been flattened,'' he says. ``We've propagated them so we can grow them into bigger trees which put more oxygen into the atmosphere and help to save the planet.'' Teacher Tilly Surbramoney says the students will care for the seedlings before donating them back to New Zealand forests. ``The focus is to give something back to the environment, since we get so much out of it such as shade and oxygen,'' she says.


SUNDERLAND PRIMARY PUPILS KYLAN PHILLIPS, 8, JONATHAN BOLTER, 9, AND SAMUEL DOBREC, 8. PHOTO: SYLVIE WHINRAY (Source: NewsPix)

Perhaps we should open a famous crime footnote section in our family page. We are all painfully aware of Jim and Nina Radetic's family's possible interaction with the Zodiac killer, but now, while leafing out branches of the Jezic tree (in the right places), we learn that Andrew Jezic--son of Dragan Jezic, grandson of Vladimir Jezic, and great grandson of Adalbert Jezic, brother in law of Roko Ivan Segulja (this makes him 3rd cousin to US and Novi Seguljas, as well as to the US Jezics and Merzlocks (Mrzljaks)--had some high profile notoriety.

Andrew, an attorney, was involved in the Beltway Sniper case, representing the minor accomplice of John Muhammad, (Malvo). Andrew orchestrated the courtroom confrontation, breaking the spell the older man held over the younger, and getting testimony that put the frosting on Muhammad's already baked cake. Andrew is quoted as saying "Observers say Malvo's testimony and willingness to face his former mentor will show how far removed he is from Muhammad's iron fist." At left, view the murderers in this case, front row, from left to right, Malvo and Muhammad. "I think it will be powerful in the sense that it is a dramatic confrontation," said defense lawyer Andrew Jezic, a former prosecutor and co-author of a Maryland manual on confessions." Click Here for the full story.

----------

Novi Vinodolski Engineering student, Cedomir Segulja, studying in Toronto, takes a break from his studies to place in the top 25% of the field in a Triathlon contest held at Guelph Lake, not far from his Toronto abode.

Cedo is the son of (my) 2nd cousin Dubravko Segulja and Milojka Butorac, grandson of Danijel Segulja and Marija (Mica) Mrzljak, great grandson of Josip Segulja and Ursula Sokolic, and great great grandson of Roko Ivan Segulja and Marija Jezic. Grandmother Mica's tree looks like this:

Mica's tree
Nikola Mrzljak b. 10 Sept 1873Marija PotocnjakIvan Toljan 1868-1937Rozalia Radetic 28 August 1870-1927
Franko Mrzljak 22 Nov 1897-1 Sep 1980Matijka Toljan 22 October 1900-May 1946
Marija Mrzljak (Segulja

EVENTDATE PLACECOMPETITORRESIDENCETIME
Guelph Lake I Sprint Tri21Jun08 129 Cedomir Segulja (TORONTO) 1:20:54

We get a note from Boris Jezic, in Germany--third cousin to all US and Novi Seguljas, as well as all US Jezics, Merzlocks and Woods (in my generation). Boris's great grandfather, Adalbert, was brother to Franko Jezic, whose daughter Lucija (married to a Mrzljak) came to be the 1st mom of the US Merzlocks, while son Slavko, headed the Jezic family closest to the US Seguljas.. And, Adalbert's sister, Marija Jezic, went on to marry Roko Ivan Segulja, matriarch of the (Arizona and Texas) US and Novi Seguljas.

Dear Michael, thanks for your mail concerning the clan and congratulations to the - I guess - long fin tuna.

My father is Vladimir Jezic *19.05.1932 - brother of Dragan Jezic named on your site. Their mother/my grandma was Olga Jezic ba Staudt. I was born on *28.08.1970, got wife and two kids and an studio for design and art located in stuttgart/south germany.

Last year I visited Novi etc. to get known this part of my family. We met Radojka and Milka and had a nice time fishing in our forefathers bay. That time, I met your url searching for background information. Thanks for your engagement - You already did help me.

Please keep me informed about news, I'll try to get you an package of pics and informations. [Click Here for more information on Boris's family--coming soon!]

Yours

Boris Jezic
STUTTGART 70439 / GERMANY

The Texas Seguljas, in the person of Mary Kathryn (Segulja) Nader, check in with photos of her newborn, Lydia. Mary Kathryn is Joe Segulja's daughter, Tom and Ann Segulja's granddaughter, Vence Segulja and Marija Mudrovcic Segulja's great granddaughter, and Roko Ivan Segulja and Marija Jezics great great granddaughter. Click the "Lydia pictures" below for larger image.


Grandma Ann Bako Segulja and new great granddaughter, Lydia Nader

New grandparents, Cathy and Joe Segulja with new granddaughter, Lydia

Joseph and Mary Kathryn with Lydia at her baptism. She's now almost 3 months old--born on March 31, 2008.


Gary Sebalja, Boris Sebalja, and Lynnette Sebalja, meeting with Zagreb contributor (cousin) Patrizia Socolich
We met the Sebaljas in a bar in Trsat Castle in Rijeka.
If you wonder where my brother (Dino Socolich) was - the answer is : from the other side of the camera!

Those of you wondering how my mom, Margaret Segulja Pottorff, is doing, take note--yesterday, she and her bridge partner, Dawna, captured first place in a 3 month long bridge marathon. A few weeks ago she and another partner captured 4th, just a few points out of first, which was a major feat, being hospitalized 4 times during that tournament. During this contest, she was only hospitalized once! . . .celebrating her 84th birthday in ICU. I called the next night to see if she was still basking in the glory of her victory, but she was busy and would have to call me back; she was conducting bridge lessons for 5 wannabe players!

At right, view Nina Radetich, related to Kriskovics, Seguljas, Sebaljas, Potocnjaks, Dobrics, Maricics--the typical family wreath--she is related to me (Mike) 10 different ways and to Boris Sebalja 12 different ways, so how many names have we left out? All of the US and Novi Vinodolski Seguljas have a great great grandmother Radetic!

Nina is one of the most popular media celebrities in Las Vegas--Click Here to check out her bio, posted by a grateful admirer at her old station!

It was my hope that I could get her to do a private newscast for our page, but "she belongs to the station," and that would not be her call. But, I have linked to an interview she did that was designed for public consumption (hope it stays live for a while.)

Click on her picture to view her at her new television home channel.


Yes, there are bears in Africa! Little Bert, above, was handcrafted by 2nd cousin Karmen Miletic Antic, daughter of Filipina Maricic Miletic, granddaughter of Genoveva Segulja Maricic, and great granddaughter of Roko Ivan Segulja.

Little Bert currently appears on the African Bear Company's website.


A contributor to our family page
Shop here!
Paula Klema (daughter of Annie Hansen, granddaughter of Pete Segulja, and Great Granddaughter of Roko Ivan Segulja writes:

The girl I shop from (Melissa) made Baba's love song CD for me with both song versions on it and sent it to me at no cost. I think she is so sweet. If any of our family would like to shop her store they can go shop online at www.heartofcroatia.com. They take special orders on many items. I have shopped there for a few years and always received wonderful items. After all...all Croatian's are cousins!!!!?

Sinoc Si Meni Rekla

After attempting a few times I figured out how to make this an MP3 file and send it. I hope it comes out well for you.

Love P


Ok, family members--especially the Arizona Seguljas, get out your hanky and click on the picture above, and pretend Baba Johana Mudrovcic Segulja is singing along!

p.s. thanks to Patrizia Socolich Skunza for finding the correct lyrics!


Patrizia Socolich, 6th cousin to US & Novi Seguljas, 6th and 7th to Argentine Sokolics, 7th to New Zealand Sebaljas, & 5th to Novi Sokolics
webpage contributor, and current Zagreb resident
embracing the pride of Istria
Il Principe
The Prince
aka her brother Dino, May 2008

Where is Robert Francem? When checking the roster of Djakovo's basketball team in the Eurobasket league, we see, at the bottom, that he has left the team.

note: Robert is the son of Biserka Nekic and Anton "Toto" Francem, renowned Croatian soccer player; his grandmother (egads) is my second cousin Zeljka Miletic; his great grandmother is Filipina Maricic; his great great grandmother is Genoveva Segulja, and his great, great, great grandfather is Roko Ivan Segulja

We soon learn that Robert has taken on a bigger position--that of scholar, husband and (soon to be) father! Hear it first hand!

Dear Mike,

I'm very glad that you are still gathering updates for family tree and I'm so sorry for my small contribution. From time to time I'll try to send you new information. My only problem is of technical nature. For my internet connection is still dial-up and I'm not sure when I will get dsl or another faster connection. I promise you that I'll give my best to inform you about all I know.

I don't have any of the email addresses that you've asked but I'm not sure that they have them at all. This basketball season I'm not playing because I've been working on my diploma. On 25th April, 2008. I have married Filipa and we will have a baby at the end of September this year. This is quite brief and concise but next time it will be better.
My best wishes!

Robert


Arrived: Kruljac Kresimir, (Osijek 2006), Vargic Vjekoslav, Barisic Tomislav, Dumancic
Left: Omazic Mario, Milanovic Mihovil, Francem Robert, Omazic Zvonimir

Height: 195cm / 6'5''
Position: Forward
Born: 1980
Team: Djakovo Ml-B. (Croatia) (2005-07)
Nationality: Croatian

Name CM (inch)PositionBornNationalityFromToFormer Team
Mikulic, Davor 202 6'8"Center820208Junior Team
Petrovic, Marijan 188 6'2"Forward800208Junior Team
Kruljak, Kresimer 198 6'6"Forward870708Osijek 2006
Bucevic, Tomislav 187 6'2"Guard910608Junior Team
Mesarek, Ivan 186 6'1"Guard910608Junior Team
Tomic, Nebosja 195 6'5"Guard/
Forward
780408Osijek SK
Ceskic, Miron185 6'1"Guard890508Junior Team
Ksan, Vedran 200 6'7"Center860208Junior Team
Ceskic, Mate 196 6'5"Forward92FromToJunior Team
Vargic, Vjekoslav 185 6'1"Guard910608Junior Team
Barisic, Tomislav 198 6'6"Center910708Junior Team
Dumancic CM (inch)
unk
Position
unk
Born
unk
0708Junior Team

Another Mrzljak family checks in:

cowboy sturgeonRichard Dean Merzlock brother of John Merzlock from Pocatello Id.

I live in Hermiston Or. and work for Union Pacific Rail Road as the manager of the Pacific North West Refrigeration Division.

I have three children Hadley Merzlock 24, Sophia Merzlock Price 21, and Allegra Merzlock 19 she will be getting married July 12 2008 in Pocatello Id.

By looking at the web site we all must enjoy hunting and fishing. I also do a lot of hunting but spend most of my time Rodeoing I rope at a lot of events and train horses in my spare time. Here are a few picture's of me starting a 2 year old colt. (go to Merzlock Page for more).






Richard, demonstrating control of his mount


Who was Visko Mudrovcic visiting in Wardner, Idaho in 1902? His third cousin, Nicolas Piskulic! So much for unsolvable mysteries, proclaimed earlier this week--see Visko story below. How do we know? Easy, Visko said so in his immigration documents. But, we have no record of Nicolas, so how did we establish this relationship?

We get a valuable clue from another immigration document which says, "says Franko Piskulic age 17 going to brother Nikola in Wardner."

enter Lynette's magic catacombs of knowledge. . . " now I have found in my file a Franjo b 9 Sep 1884 with a brother Nikola born 1870 who supposedly died in North America 12 Apr 1916. . .where I got this death info I have no idea! They were 3rd cousins to your Visco."

John Merzlock, an Idaho resident, discovers, yet another Novljani, Radislav Sokolic, whose destination was also Wardner, Idaho, and who claimed he had relatives living there.

But then the Piskulic trail goes cold. I discover a Pickolick family in the 1930 census. Lynette already knew of their existense, but armed with this new information, she gave them another look and, lo and behold, the family wreath raised its familiar head.

I already have the Pickolicks & as I look through, it gets more interesting: [NZ] Boris's grandfather Albin Kriskovic (Boris mths fth California Bill Kriskovich's father's father) had a brother Bozidar had Anna Kriskovich b 1 Aug 1908 Butte Montana d Missoula mar Frank Pickolich b 6 Feb 1905 probably America d Missoula his parents were Nikola Piskulich who I estimated born abt 1870 & Margarita Kriskovich & the Nikola Piskulich I sent you earlier was born 7 Dec 1870 maybe same person ???? I wonder if Krsto will be able to help me here. Will add to my book of queries. Also just went into Rootsweb notice Andrew b 1903 the Nikola b 1870 I sent you earlier his father was Andrija

Lovre
Kriskovic
m. Katarina
Kabalin
Had:
Margarita
1784
sis-sisAnna 1780Dorotia
Kukalj 1778
Mate
Mudrovcic 1821
1stIvan Piskulic 1811Anna
Mrzljak 1811
Mate
1850
2nd Anna 1844
m. ____ Sokolic
sis-broAndreas 1841Jacob
Kriskovich 1846
Visko
1887
3rdRadoslav*
Sokolic 1874
Nicolas 1870
Franko
Bozidor
Kriskovich
bro-broAlbin KriskovichVisco
Mudrovcic 1887
Matthew 1914
Kati 1918
Dragomir 1920
Mica 1932
4thAndrew 1903
Frank
Pickolich 1905
-----
mar.
Anna
Kriskovich 1908
1st cousMica Sebalja
Chris & Stephanie
Anton Kriskovich
mar
Mary
Segulja 1921

---------
--------
--------
--------
1st cous
Matthew 1914
Kati 1918
Dragomir 1920
Mica 1932
Mary, Helen,
& \Drina
Ivica, Margita,
& Marija
Milica & Vinko
5th<------?------>2nd cous Bill Kriskovich2nd cousMary, Helen,
& Drina
Ivica, Margita,
& Marija
Milica & Vinko
* Note: there were two Radislav Sokolics in Novi in 1874 and one in 1875, so any of these guys could
have been the one that landed in 1902 at age28. But, only one of them is the son of a Piskulic whose
brother's son lived in the destination town, so, I am , tentatively, saying that he's the one.

Belatedly, through Chuck Jezic's contacts, we learn of the death of two-time Olympic medalist Pusco Jezic. The Dow Chemical ad, below right, was instrumental in making the initial contacts with Pusco that led to our ability to reconstruct the Jezic Tree. Following, find Pusco's obituary.

Croatian Waterpolo legend Dr. Zdravko Jezic passed away

Umro Dr Zdravko Jezic, vrhunski hrvatski vaterpolist svih vremena
authorship unknown

On June 19, after a long battle with cancer, Dr. Zdravko Jezic passed away at his home in Long Island, New York. He was one of the world's best water polo players, participating in the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. Friends and family called him "Pusko."

In Helsinki, at the age of 21, Pusko carried the Yugoslav flag at the opening ceremony. He returned with the first of two silver medals and was elected team captain. This was the beginning of a great tradition that continued long after Pusko retired from sports - his team Mladost Zagreb has won seven European championships, the most for any water polo club.

Pusko was the first man to play in 100 international matches. During the Los Angeles Games in 1984, he was the first Yugoslav player to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale. His legacy was celebrated in 2002 with the President of Croatia, at a dinner celebrating 50 years of Olympic success - only the Hungarians have won more medals in waterpolo.

This week Long Island will host a FINA water polo tournament and Croatia's team will play against four top nations. This is in preparation for the World Championships in Montreal and there should be a moment of silence honoring Pusko. I've decided to bring my mother and meet with the new generation of players and coaches. I suggested the USA - Croatia match this Friday.

In September the Jezic family will travel to Zagreb and celebrate the life of a great man with his closest friends. We hope that Ratko and other water polo legends will attend. As a Croatian-American fan, Pusko attended the Olympics Games in 1972, 1984, 1988 and 1996. He loved the game of water polo and his legacy was very real. This is a tremendous loss for my family and we'll need your friendship during this difficult time.

-----------------------

Check out Sdravko's (Pusco's) listing and team-mates in 1952 and 1956--where he won two silver medals--by clicking here.

(Mike speaking) I attended the 1984 Olympic Games, and, undoubtedly, crossed paths with Pusco. . .except, at that time, I had never heard of him, and had no idea that he would provide motivation to develop this page (obviously, as I didn't even own a computer at that time).


A surprising discovery! The first Mudrovcic related to the Novi Seguljas to set foot in America was not Marija b. 1890, the matriarch of the Texas Seguljas, nor was it Ivanja/Ivana/Johana b. 1895, matriarch of the Arizona Seguljas, but their brother, Visko Mudrovcic b. 1887. Visco arrived April 19, 1902, at age 15, to visit cousin Nikola Piskulich in the mining town of Wardner, Idaho.

Margaret Segulja Pottorff remembers that her mother, and, her Aunt (Texas) Mary Segulja visited 'cousins" in Idaho. shortly after Vence Segulja's death in 1950.. In 1947, Vence Segulja and his daughter Mary (later Cooper) visited Visco in Novi. Unfortunately, a first hand accounting of the Idaho visit and the Piskulic family living there are lost forever.

Visco later visited and returned from New Zealand, where his son Matthew would later emigrate to became patriarch of today's Mary (Posa), Helen (Franich), and Drina (Dobrec) clans. Visco's other children would include Dragomir, whom we recently confirmed was among the thousands murdered by the Nazis at Jasenovac , and his daughters, Kati--matriarch of our Butkovich clan and Mica, matriarch of our (closest) Sokolic clan

.
La Touraine--Visko's Ride

Built by Chantiers de Penhoet, St. Nazaire, France, 1891. 9,047 gross tons; 520 (bp) feet long; 56 feet wide. Steam triple expansion engines, twin screw. Service speed 19 knots. 1,090 passengers (392 first class, 98 second class, 600 third class).Two funnels and three masts, in 1902 masts reduced to two..

Built for French Line, French flag, in 1891 and named La Touraine. Le Havre-New York service. Used as a floating hotel at Gothenburg, Sweden in 1923. Renamed Maritime in 1923. Scrapped in France in 1923.


Mary Segulja Cooper, meeting her uncle Visko
Mudrovcic during her 1947 visit to her Novi Vinodolski roots

Milan Jezic, (the webmaster's 2nd cousin, once removed) of Belgium, promises to respond soon to a query about a Jezic branch in Croatia, while explaining that he is currently occupied with his own Jezic branch in St. Louis.

Dear Mike,

Glad to hear you. Currently I am in St Louis USA, partially for business, but mainly with my daughter, her husband, 3 granddaughters and grandson.

I will come back to you after my return to Brussels.

My best regards

Milan

Milan Jezic von Gesseneck, President

While surfing through the internet, checking out the wine prices down under, I seized upon a name that was too familiar--that of Nicolas Aleksich--son of 2nd cousin Margaret Aleksich in Auckland. (Margaret is the daughter of Anton Maricic, who is the son of Genoveva Segulja, who was the daughter of Roko Ivan Segulja). And, I noticed that he had a Malbec blend wine for sale at an extraordinary price. I immediately shot off a note, hoping to re-establish family ties, but also to let him know of the market for such wines in the US (even in California).

Nick responds:

Hi Mike

Yes you have the right Nick. As it happens I'm in Croatia at the moment at our family house in Brist (on my father's side).

I last viewed the website briefly several years ago, there has been some changes since with our family, I'm married to a kiwi girl and we have a daughter Alana. My uncle Boris Maricich sadly passed away due to a brain tumour. Also his mother my grandmother Margaret passed away 3 years ago. We already have a national US importer but the pricing is quite different thanks to the US government legislating a 3 tier distribution system and state alcohol taxes.

Sorry to hear things haven't gone so well for you recently, the banking industry has had plenty of shockwaves lately!

If you are in NZ sometime let me know it would be great to meet up.

Regards Nick

Note: Nick is the General Manager of Mills Reef Winery

Stumbling across a Merzlock (Mrzljak for you in Novi) name that I did not recognize in Pocatello, Idaho; I asked 3rd cousin John Merzlock, who replied:

The person in the article, Brandon Merzlock, is a nephew of mine who lives in Pocatello. There are four Merzlock brothers in the area. All of them have families and we need to update the website with their names and birth days. I had 9 children of my own. One of them is deceased. The rest of them are located in the Utah/Idaho area with one in Nevada. Brian opperates his own appraisal business in Henderson, Nevada. He has met the Radetic lady who is the news anchor at one of the television stations. He said she is very active in the community and in much demand.

If any of you are coming up this way this summer, please stop by and say hello. We can be reached at Home: 208-237-5173 Office: 208-478-1010. We would love to meet you. I appreciate your dedication and commitent to this great family organization and the effort you have made to put it together.


Brandon Merzlock, an organizer for disc
golf tournaments, watches his shot bounce out of the "cup"
click for larger image
Thank You,
John Merzlock, Appraiser

John Merzlock Appraisals
920 Deon Drive
P.O. Box 2933
Pocatello, Idaho 83206

Phone: 208-478-1010
Fax: 208-478-1021
Web: www.Merzlockappraisals.com



Having been provided cousin Giorgio Socolich's email address, by daughter Patrizia, I endeavored to contact him. But, as my Cro sucks, big time, I dictated a note to one of my salesmen who speaks Italian. Communication was made! What better than an Italian singing, Cro cousin living in Germany? An Italian singing Cro cousin with a beer bar and restaurant in Germany!---Giorgio Socolich, sharing relatives in Croatia, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina responds:

Dear cousin Mike,

I also found someone who speaks English better than I do. Having some help from one of our waitresses, I can finally answer in English. I am glad to get in contact with you and I was very pleased that you already had the chance to have a look at my website. Concerning your question whether I can send you a digital file, I have to admit that I am not so much into computers. Therefore, I am going to send you a cd of my band via regular mail. For the moment I attach 2 pictures of me and my wife, taken today in and in front of our restaurant. It would be great if you could answer to this e-mail account in the future. The other one is a bit older and the computer that belongs to it keeps acting strange : )

I am looking forward to keep in touch with you!
So long, best regards
from Giorgio


Giorgio and his wife, Karin (nee Steinhardt) behind the bar with a sign greeting me

Giorgio and Karin on the other side of the bar, enjoying their
restaurant, no doubt the venue for many Tutti-Colori concerts

In San Diego, California, one of Margaret Segulja Pottorff's bridge marathons came to an end today after several months of bidding and playing, interrupted by 3 trips to the emergency room following complications of her chemotherapy. When the dust settled among the 50 or so contestants, Margay came in fourth!! less than a thousand points--or just one good hand--behind the top finisher.

All things considered, this was a victorious performance. . .not to mention the prize money! Perhaps, she will treat herself on her forthcoming 84th birthday later this month.


A pictorial report from Rijeka, courtesy of Stefan Segulja (click on thumbnail for larger image)


Tajana and Ivica Segulja


Nina, Tajana, and Stefan Segulja

Hi!!--First of all thank you for your kind words. I am really impressed
in your interest for your relatives all around the world, I didn?t know
that we have so many relatives in America!

Here are some recent pictures of me and my family, and a little info:
My dad (Ivica) teaches at the Faculty of Maritime studies in Rijeka,
my sister is finishing high school and is planning to go
to Zagreb to study architecture next year.
I?m finishing my study of mechanical engineering here in Rijeka
and of course playing with my band.

I didn?t hear of Cedo and Dragana for a long time,
but I know that Cedo is studying electrical engineering
somewhere in Canada and Dragana got a job in a hospital in Zagreb.

Stefan


Ivica, Tajana, and children Stefan and Nina


Tajana, Nina, and Ivica

As Promised, Jennifer Segulja delivers some more recent photos of her Texas Segulja clan:


Michael and Jennifer Segulja, with their children l-r Michael (Alex), Ian, and Morgann

Jennifer launching a surprise party for Michael on his 35th birthday.

Just when it appeared that Aussie cousins Fiona and Christina Paskulich would be the family's last rock and rollers, along comes Stefan Segulja rocking Rijeka with his metal band, Sixth Soul. Click Here to hear lead guitarist Stefan cook on the tract, "Balkan Wars."

For more, go Here. For more progressive rock selections, click on their MY SPACE musical blog. Meanwhile, I (Mike) am going to lock myself in the closet with my guitar and cry!

link furnished by Stefan Segulja

Ok, family members seeking to make their Croat ethnicity the center of attention at cocktail parties, meetings of the joint chiefs, and at board meetings--LOOK NO FURTHER!!!

Cousin John Paskulich has provided us with enough information to make party goers forget about the upcoming election,

Did you know it was the Croats who stopped the Moors?. . .at the gates of Novi!!!

Did you know it was the Croats who stopped the Turks?

Did you know that it was a regiment of Croat Roman Legionaires that conquered Britain?

Did you know that some stayed after the Romans left--evidence is seen in the dragons (not British) in their heraldic symbols--sorry Sir George!

Did you know that a cognate of "Arthur" was a Croat title--King Arthur a Croat??? Wooo Hoooo. Britain no longer needs to be embarassed by Prince Charles (mostly German)--they can claim to be founded by Croats.

Everyone used Croats--unfortunately, mostly by force. The Romans used them, the Germans used them, the Austrians used them, and Napoleon used them for his major victories. The word "slav" proved to be the origin of slave. Not surprising, in the 13th century, Croatia was one of the first to abolish slavery.

While the modern world refers to the ruling class as "the suits and ties," so was it historically in the Balkans, where Croatia--aka Hrvatska exists. The Croatian soldier was identified by his necktie. "Here come the Hrvats" was a warning of an impending fierce battle. Soon Hrvat became cravat and cravat became a word for a necktie as well as a Croatian soldier.

Many names were changed to suit the occupying armies. My (Mike speaking) sister Yvonne and my cousin Johanna are both namesakes of my grandmother Ivana, the feminine slavic form of Ivica, or the English John. So my sister was given my grandmother's birth name, Ivana, albeit with an English spelling, while my cousin Johanna, was given the feminine form of the German Johann, favored by the occupying armies of Austria-Hungary, who forced my grandmother to use it. Many people were forced to change their names by the Italians, too. Marco Pillich was forced to change his name when he went to work for an Italian spice trading company; he is remembered today by his Italian name, Marco Polo. Patrizia Socolich provides that the occupying Italian armies of Istria pressured her family to change their name to Soccolini, but they successfully resisted. Before migrating to America, another Istrian family, the Andrettichs actually made the change. Today they are best known as the Andretti racing team.

. . .and you thought Tesla was the only famous Croat?

Anyway, John has done a commendable job in putting together this brief primer on Croatian history. I urge you and all your friends to read it by clicking HERE.

Meanwhile. out in Texas, Julie Laughlin (daughter of Osceola Segulja McElroy, grand daughter of John Segulja and Francis Fawn Tippit, great grand daughter of Venceslav Segulja and Marija Mudrovcic, and great great grand daughter of Roko Ivan Segulja and Marija Jezic) has been wrangling an international estrogen herd


Above, view daughter Alyssa
great great great grand daughter of Roko Ivan Segulja


Lisa Marie recent exchange student from Germany, hosted by the Laughlins
We have another Foreign Exchange student. Her name is Tahmina Afzali and she is from Afghanistan. She will be graduating from Brock High School in May and returning home. She hopes to come back for college.

We still stay in touch with Lisa-Marie.

Other than that it’s just work and watching Alyssa grow. She’s 5’2” already at 10 years. And she’s beautiful.

Julie Laughlin
Laughlin Home Builders, Inc.


Above, view Tahmina, current exchange student from Afghanistan, Alyssa, and Claire, our pastor’s daughter.

See how Giorgio Sokolich (pictured on guitar below) and his daughter Patrizia are related to the Kiwi Sebaljas and the Argentine Sokolics (the 2nd cousins to the US Seguljas--in the webmasters generation). Patrizia is a 7th cousin to Ranko Sokolic in Argentina, as well as a double 7th cousin to Boris Sebalja, as he is related through both his Sebalja and Kriskovich lines. To tighten the wreath, Boris is also a 2nd cousin to Ranko (also his 4th cousin US kin's second cousin). And to add some intrigue, Boris is also his own 5th cousin.

Gergur Sokolic 1690 marKatarina Kriskovic
Gergur 1727 bro & sist Catharina 1711 Catharina 1711
Matij 1761 1st Gergur Kukalj 1745 = Gergur Kuk 1745
Maria 1793 2nd Bartol 1767 bro & sis Dorotia 1778
Pavlus 1820 3rd Bartol 18071st Anna Mrz 1811
Giorgio 1853 4th Paulus 18342nd Jacob Kris1846
Hector 1906 5th Ursula 1867 sist Theresa 1872 3rd Albin 1880
Giorgio 1948 6th Ant Sok 1904 1st Ivan Seb 1905 4th
mar
Marija 1911
Patrizia 1969 7th Ranko 1928 2nd Boris 5th
=
Boris

If you are ever wandering the streets of Germany,
but swear you are in Italy, as you hear Italian music,
perhaps you are hearing the strains of Croatian
cousin Giorgio Socolich's, (on guitar) German Italian trio, Tutti Colori!

Check out a Novi Dobric family wreath, with Australia's John Paskulich providing links at both ends (of the disassembled wreath). Note that John and I and all my Segulja-Mudrovcic relatives in America are his 4th cousins and that John, like us, is also a 2nd cousin with our Mudrovcic Sokolic line (Milica Sokolic Zoricic--Mica's Mudrovcic's daughter). What a family wreath! Not only does it connect at the ends to form a circle, but it has holes in its side! And John Paskulich is his own 7th cousin!

Anton Dobric 1700marCatarina Kabalin 1704
Gergur Dobric 1737brosAnton Dobric 1734
Luka 17611stJerolim 1764
Gregor Mathias Dobric 1785
mar.Catharina Kabalin 1783
2nd
---->
Bartol 1798
---->
---->---->---->Gregor Mathias Dobric 1785mar.Catharina Kabalin 1783
Margareta Dobric 1809
m. Adalbert Piskulic 1809
3rdThomas Julius Dobric
m. Lucia Pericic 1835
Vinco Dobric 1827
m. Franciska Kriskovic 1824
bro-sisMargareta Dobric 1809
m. Adalbert Piskulic 1809
Frano Piskulic 18524thBartholomous Dobric
m. Maria Sokolic-Kazanic 1871
Margareta Dobric 1848
m.Vinko Mudrovcic 1850
1stFrano Piskulic 1852
Franjo Piskulic 18955thKatarina Dobric 1905
m. Peter Dobric 1897
sis-sisLucija Luska Jelislava Dobric
m. Vinko Mudrovcic
bro-sisIvanja Mudrovcic 1895
m. Peter Segulja
2ndFranjo Piskulic 1895
Dragutin Paskulich 19226th
mar
Ignatia Dobric 19251stMica Mudrovcic
m. Mladen Sokolic
1stMargaret Segulja 1924
m. Nathan Pottorff 1924
3rdDragutin Paskulich 1922
mar Ignatia Dobric 1925
John Paskulich7th
=
John Paskulich 2ndMilica Sokolic
m. Milivoj Zoricic
2ndMichael Pottorff 19474thJohn Paskulich

And, note that Argentine Luis Sokolic, who corresponds below, en espanol, is the son of the second cousin (Ranko Sokolic) to the Novi US, Croatian, New Zealand Seguljas as well as 3rd cousin to the US Merzlocks (Brian). The US Merzlocks, in turn, are 3rd cousin to me. So, I, Michael Pottorff, provide the fastener at both ends of the wreath

Petrus Seguljamar.Marija DobricPavlus Jezic 1820mar.Lucia Radetic 1816
Roko Seguljamar.Marija Jezicsis-broFranko 1852
m. Marija Kabalin 1856
bro-sisMarija Jezic
Peter Seguljabro-sisGenoveva1stLucia Jezic 1877
m. Joseph Merzlock 1872
1stPeter Segulja
Margaret Segulja1stKatarina Maricic2ndJohn Merzlock Sr. 1904
m. Belva Briscoe 1918
2ndMargaret Segulja
Michael Pottorff2ndRanko Sokolic3rdJohn Jr. 1944
m. Karma Burrup 1949
3rdMichael Pottorff
3rdLuis4thBrian Merzlock 1974
m. Cydney Sellers 1977

Bill Kriskovich comes home to pack his bags!

Hey Mike,

I am back from my trip to Thailand. I did not make it to Taiwan bec/ I couldn't change my flight. ( I met a flight attendant on my last trip. I fly a Taiwanese airline, EVA air and we have been emailing) I will try to go there on my next trip.

So, I got 3 job offers at international schools. Seoul, S. Korea, Libya in Tripoli, and American School of Bangkok. The Bangkok job is the one I plan to take, BUT I may not teach and instead go into a business with a friend who runs a distance learning center and he wants to expand into Asia. We'll see. Either way I will be in Thailand starting in August. I am very excited. The business would be easier to deal with everything here; mom, my summer business, real estate. The teaching job would include housing and a salary. So, I have to think about what to do. I only know for sure that I will get a 2 bedr. apartment so when my cousin/godfather comes to visit with his girlfriend they will have a place to stay!

Ok, that is all for now.

Bill

Some sad Argentine Sokolic news as Luis Agustin Sokolic confirms the death of his aunt Margarita Tonelli second cousin to your webmaster and all of my 1st and 2nd cousins in North America, my Maricic cousins in New Zealand, and my Segulja cousins in Croatia. And, to compound our loss, he reports the death of his mother, Rosa Brizuela Sokolic, wife to Margaritas brother, and so, our (my) second cousin, Ranko Sokolic.

Luis sent a Power Point program that I cannot load to the net, nor figure out how to break into, but it has beautiful photos of Argentina--if I can figure out how to post a few, I will. Well, I could not, but computer guy Wayne Sebalja could, so Click HERE to see them.

Hello Mike: Margarita murió de un cáncer en el hígado. Ella estuvo luchando durante muchos años con una leucemia y como consecuencia de la medicina que tomó, se le hicieron unos tumores en el hígado que luego se transformaron en células de cáncer.

Te cuento además, que mi mamá Rosa Eulogia Brizuela de Sokolic, esposa de Ranko Sokolic, falleció el 30 de junio de 2006, luego de estar sufriendo de Mal de Alzheimer.

Tu debes venir a conocer Argentina, es muy bonita. Además, es un país muy barato, el cambio es de u$s 1 = $ 3,17.

Tienes mucho para conocer y lugares para ir a pescar.

Saludos, Luis


We hear from a Sokolic relative, Patrizia Socolich of Zagreb:

(Patrizia Socolich Skunca, cousin to all Segulja-Mudrovcic relatives in the US, Segulja relatives in Novi, Sokolic relatives in Novi, Mica's Mudrovcic family in Novi, the Maricics in New Zealand and Australia, and, the Sokolics in Argentina).

My maiden name is Socolich, I have recently started researching my family history, and have viewed your extremely interesting web site about Segulja's family tree and Novi. I knew we should have some connections with Novi as all Sokolich origins are from that area but I didn't know anything about my ascendants as the last 4 generations lived in Pula (Istria) and Rijeka.

It is still a little bit confusing for me as I have suddenly received a lots of information, but I'll do my best to explain our family connections in the best way...

1) Mathias Sokolich who married Katarina Lucija Segulja, was brother of my ascendant Georgius (Juraj) Sokolich Stipan Vlahovic

2) Fredericus Casimirus Sokolich who married Lucia Merzljak was nephew of my grand-grand father Paulus Sokolich born in Novi on 1820 and died in Pula on 1898.

As I understand, you were the person in charge for all that great work done on your family's history, so I presume you can imagine the thrill that every new discovery brings with. I hope you will find these information interesting, and would take this opportunity to ask you for a recomendation of person or organization in Novi who would be willing to help in my further family roots research, I would really appreciate any information.

Many thanks in advance, I send you lots of greetings from Croatia,

Sincerely,

Patrizia Skunca

See how Patrizia is related to the Sebaljas and Seguljas and the Novi Mudrovcics. Also, per note 1, above, I and all my first and second cousin Segulja relatives are 7th cousins through Sokolich.

Juraj Piskulich 1671
m. Margarita Chulinovic
Stipan 1696 bro & sist Lucia 1708
Frano 1734 1st Stipan Sokolic 1734
m. Margarita Maricic 1751
sis-sis Lucija 1763
Josip 1769 2nd Juraj 1779 1st Marci Radetic 1785
Thomas Piskulic 1800 m. Maria Kabalin 3rd Paulus 1820
m Elena Sbisa 1818
2nd Lucija R 1816
m.Pavlus Jezic 1820
Catharina Piskulic 1832
m. Ivan Sokolic
4th Giorgio Socolich 1853
m. Virginia Millich 1867
3rd Maria Jezic 1857
m. Roko Segulja 1850
Rozalia Sokolic 1870
m. Frano Piskulic
5th Hector Socolich 1906
m. Luisa De Carolis 1912
4th Petar Segulja 1884
m. Ivana Mudrovcic 1895
Marija Piskulic 1889
m. Albin Kriskovich
6th Giorgio Socolich 1948
m. Jadranka Lukac 1948
5th Marge 1924
m. Nathan Pottorff 1924
Marija Kriskovic 1911
m. Ivan Sebalja
7th Patrizia Socolich 1969
m.Tomislav Skunca 1965
6th Mike 1947
m/div Godzilla
Boris Sebalja 1947
m. Lynette Matulovich
8thLuca Skunca 2005

Mike and Mladen
c. 2002 in Novi
Stipan Sokolic 1748 marriedMargarita Maricic
Juraj 1779 bro & sist Catharina 1785
Pavlus 1820 1st Gregorius Mudrovcic 1822
Giorgio 1853 2nd Kate Mudrovcic 1852
Hector 1906 3rd Katarina Sokolic 1891
m.___________ Sokolic
Giorgio 1948 4th Mladen Sokolic 1931
m. Mica Mudrovcic 1932
Patrizia 1969 5th Milica Sokolic 1952
m. Milivoj Zoricic 1951

French cousin Herve Jezic (Nicolas's son) cuts a deal with Microsoft:

Hervé Jezic concludes,"Microsoft's financing offers fall perfectly into the framework of our ASAPartnerNet program, and will integrate more specifically our ASAP Financing offer. We are delighted with this agreement with Microsoft Financing."

Click Here to read the whole story.

In the summer of 1917 in the town of Bisbee, Arizona, a labor strike was crushed with management playing the ethnicity and partiotism card, resulting in the deportation of over 1,000 workers, who were unceremoniously herded by gunpoint into cattle cars and dumped in the desert of New Mexico. Among the deportees were the future US army veterans Felix Segulja, deportee #377, his brother John, another soldier to be that would spend 60 years in a VA hospital for service to his country (deportee #392), another brother Vence Segulja, deportee #107 who would become the patriarch of the Texas Seguljas, and deportee #268, Peter Segulja who would be the patriarch of the Arizona Seguljas. Click here for a reasonable facsimile of the version related to me.

Click Here for a complete list of deportees.

News from (Texas) Joe Segulja's branch, courtesy of Jennifer:

I most certainly do have news…and there is a photo that was taken just a few weeks ago when we were all in Ft. Worth…I’ll have to see if I can get a copy from Kristen (Joe’s daughter).

Meanwhile, the newest news is that Mary Kathryn (Joe’s daughter) and Joseph Nader had a baby on March 31, 2008 at 3:39AM. [Welcome Lydia Kathryn Nader!]

I’ll have to email to tell Mary Kathryn to send some photos for you to add to the site. I’ve actually cc’d her on this so you’ll have her email address as well. And, MK, find out who has the pic that we all took with Gma at your parent’s house and forward it on to Mike too please J You know, in your spare time!

Meanwhile, I’ll take a peak at the page on the Segulja.net site when I have a second to see what I can do to fill in some of the blanks. Unfortunately, the fam on this side of the country has never been very good about keeping in-touch, which is very sad. But hopefully I can do something about that J

Talk to you later!

Jenn


Roy and Willa Dobric provide us with photos of a casual Alaskan outdoor adventure experienced by son Jon
and Mary (sample above) In Alaska! But definitely not Anchorage. This was in Kaktovik you gotta see these-

We just wanted to see the NEXT picture!

A vignette, stolen from Jennifer Segulja's blog www.chaoticadventures.blogspot.com April 2, 2008

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Growing Pains

Morgann's curiosity has been peaked! It seems that she is becoming more & more curious about babies, and specifically, the female body and how exactly it works. I guess after watching one of my friends breastfeed her infant, then having a next door neighbor being whisked off to the hospital due to pre-term labor (by me), it was bound to happen sooner rather than later. I've been bombarded with many questions, some easily answered, others not so much! But, I seem to be navigating the waters of the female body well enough to suit a 5 year old. Thankfully the questions have been more about the 'whys' than the 'hows' of the female anatomy, but I figure that it will only be a matter of time before the 'hows' begin.

Meanwhile, during one of our recent discussions, Morgann was quick to inform me that she has made a decision regarding her future. She said that, first, she wants to be a mommy. She said that she plans to have a baby in her tummy until it is finished growing, then she will feed it 'booby milk' until it has teeth and can chew it's own food. All I could do was smile and nod since she was as serious as she could be. Once she has conquered that first hurtle, she has decided that she will indeed become an astronaut. And she was quick to inform me that it must happen in that order.

So, while I work on navigating the sometimes treacherous waters of human anatomy and physiology, Morgann will be working on her quest to conquer the great unknown :) It's a good thing that she enjoys adventure because both of her plans will require a brave soul!

Posted by Jennifer at 2:45 PM

Jennifer forgives the thieving webmaster!

Hi Mike!

Thanks for visiting my website – I try to post there often enough to keep everyone informed on the goings-on here in Houston; sometimes are more frequent than others. With 3 kiddos, there are very rarely any dull moments. As for stealing my blog, feel free to do so at any time! Just a note to let you know that I have since changed the title and added a recent picture of my sweet little girl, in case you wanted to update the page accordingly. And, several postings ago, Michael had a funny conversation with Morgann if you wanted to steal that one too (or instead of) – it’s more typical of Morgann’s personality – she’s a goof-ball!

Anyway, hope things are going well for you. Stay in touch & visit often J

Jenn

Still piecing together Jim Radetich’s line, Jim shares”

Lynette,

No, all Aunts and Uncles are deceased now.

We have two girls.

The oldest is Janine. She is actually my brother's daughter. I think I mentioned that my brother is deceased. He was a shot and killed on June 19, 1970 [webmaster's note who remembers this story from 3 decades ago, and wondered if we were related] by someone claiming to be the infamous Zodiac Killer, or a copycat. About four years later, his widow (Nancy) died from breast cancer and that left Janine (then 5 years old) as an orphan. We took her in and raised her as our daughter.

Our youngest daughter, Nina, lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. She works there as a Television News Anchor. She is unmarried.

Michael Pottorff states that we are 5th cousins. Where is that connection; do you know?

Jim Radetich

[of course she knows]

Ivan Kriskovic 1719 &
Kata Potocnjak
Jakov Krisko