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January 21, 2010
My Croatian Heritage
by Chuck Marohnic
My father was born in 1911 in Zlobin, Croatia, a small village near the Adriatic seaport
town of Rijeka. My grandfather emigrated to the US shortly after my father was born,
leaving him and my grandmother in Croatia. At the time the economy in Croatia was in
terrible shape and he made the decision to leave his family in search of a new life in
America. He arrived at Caspian, on the upper peninsula of Michigan where he lived and
worked in the iron mines for 10 years. During that time he sent money and clothing
back to Croatia for his wife and young son, my grandmother and my father. In 1921, my
grandmother and father emigrated to the US to join my grandfather in Michigan. I am
first generation American.
About a year ago, I did a computer search for Zlobin, Croatia and found a link to a book
entitled “In Search of the Lost People of Zlobin." It is the story of the people, who out of
desperation, had to leave their homeland to find work in other countries. I bought the
book and to my surprise, found on pgs. 143-144, a list of people who had emigrated to
the US. On that list were my father's and grandparent's names.
I began email correspondence with the author, Radovan Tadej — an attorney who lives
near Zlobin today. He needed information about my family, where they died, etc. since
he is still collecting data. I told him that I was a musician, had recordings and published
books, and was a retired university professor. All this took place about a year ago.
Three weeks ago, I received an invitation to perform at Lisinski Hall in Zagreb, Croatia
as part of the annual Modern Music Festival April 13-15, 2010. I am slated to play a one
hour concert of solo jazz piano at this festival. I will also play a concert and do a
workshop in the city of Rijeka, near the village of Zlobin where my ancestors, 5
generations, are buried. I am in the process of composing some special music
commemorating my family and the other “Lost People of Zlobin.” There is Croatian
media interest in my story and the connection to the book and the people of Zlobin.
My wife Mary Ann and I will be in Croatia for the week April 12-18.
I can hardly wait.
God’s Blessings to all –
Chuck |
