Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2008
to All Istrians and Friends

Marisa Ciceran for istrianet.org

Wishing all istriani around the world especially my family and friends in montona, livade, pula, san bortolo, caldier, trieste, monfalcone, portole, new jersey a Merry Christmas and a new year of happiness and good health! Linette, Nelo, Bruna and Gianni

Linette Basiaco <linette1974@hotmail.com> - (136.154.22.60)
Melbourne, Victoria Australia - Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 22:58:00 (EST)

My parents emmigrated from Italy to Johannesburg, South Africa in the mid-50's. I was born there in 1961 and in 1980 we immigrated again to Canada. My father's name is Antonio Clai and he was born in Verteneglio, Istria in October, 1914. I believe his grandmother had been married twice, first to a Molinari, then Clai. I have been trying to find the origin of the name Clai or of any other Clai's but there doesnt seem to be much info about this name.

My mother was born in Monfalcone in 1921. Both my parents primary language is Italian, but my mothers parents were both from Lussinpiccolo. So, after 46 years of believeing I was of italian descent, now I find out I may have no Italian in me at all!!

I would appreciate hearing from anyone that has any information on the Clai or Molinari name, or anyone by that name that still lives in Istria.

My grandfather was Matteo Clai with brothers of the name Molinari. My grandmother was born Maria Steffe in Capodistria.

Thank you and Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo a voi tutti!! E Buone Fritole!

Luisa Gallant (Clai)
Oshawa, Ontario Canada - Friday, December 21, 2007 at 23:24:55 (EST)

My best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving
to all our family and friends in the USA.

Marisa

Marisa Ciceran
Manhattan, New York City, NY USA - Thursday, November 22, 2007 at 01:14:00 (EST)

estoy orgullosa de ser ISTRIANA, mis papis nacieron en PAZIN, leandro bratulich y wanda opacic, ello a ya partieron, pero me dejaron el amor de sus tierras natales que son tan hermosas como ESE AZUL UNICO ADRIATICO, tengo flia.alli y volvere por SIEMPRE, ME SIENTO CROATA, cada vez mas!!!! y orgullosa de los papis que me dio esa tierra, GRACIAS DIOS POR CREARLOS!!!!

gabriela bratulich <gabybratulich@gmail.com> - (190.49.219.101)
viedma, rio negro argentina - Wednesday, September 05, 2007 at 21:26:40 (EST)

soy hija de CROATAS ISTRIANOS vinieron a arg.ya casados,LEANDRO Y WANDA OPACIC viaje conoci sus tierras y me enamore de sus origenes,paisajes,yel adriatico el mar mas azul del mundo,como decia mi papi !!ORGULLOSA

gabybratulich <gabybratulich@gmail.com> - (190.49.219.101)
viedma, rio negro argentina - Wednesday, September 05, 2007 at 20:52:28 (EST)

Hello everyone...what a great and informative site! My grandparents hail from Cepic and moved to Brooklyn in the early 1930's. I have been researching my family tree for several years now, and am interested in any information people may have on Cepic and the family names of Zustovich (Zustovic)and Paronich. Thanks so much! Mark

Mark Zustovich <MarkusZ@aol.com> - (12.30.112.57)
Brooklyn, New York USA - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 10:24:24 (EST)

Hello everyone... I just have a general question and if anyone knows the answer please write me! My grandfather was born in Trieste, Italy about 76 years ago. He's italian speaking but when I tell people that they tell me that the name "Mocibob" is not italian and maybe croatian. Anyways I would love to know my true origins? Thanks to anyone who could help me out with this!

Joëlle Mocibob <jmocibob@hotmail.com> - (198.103.221.52)
Canada - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 14:16:24 (EST)

What a great website. Thank you for this site. I have lived in the United States most of my life and its great to see my heritage here on this site. Our surname is CUCAGNA. So if ther eare any other GRASSI (CUCAGNA) out there feel free to contact me. We were from Umago. My father was CLEMENTE, unfortuneatly he passed away in 1988. He loved his Istria, and missed it through out his life. I wish that he were alive to see this most wonderfull site. Again, THANK YOU

CARLO GRASSI <CGRASSI@MAJESTICSALES.COM> - (75.117.233.162)
CLEVELAND, OHIO UNITED STATES - Friday, June 22, 2007 at 14:04:09 (EST)

You've done it again Marisa Ciceran!!! How great was it to see the HUGE link to all the wonderful Alpini songs and songs from WWI that my Nonna taught me when I was little! Thank you and grazie, they are wonderful.

Daniela Liubicich Massa <dmnyc119@aol.com> - (152.163.100.10)
New York, New York , USA - Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 08:11:02 (EST)

I'm travelling to Venice and Istria this summer. Does anyone know if there is a ferry that crosses from Venice to Umago? Thank you!

Elsa Matelich <wer7d@yahoo.com> - (64.59.144.85)
Burnaby, British Columbia Canada - Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 02:13:05 (EST)

Saluti, mi chiamo Anna Riccobon and sono nata a San Toma (Capodistria) nel 1928 - avrei tanto piacere sentire di chiunque si ricordasse di me - mio padre si chiamava Nazario and mia mamma Angela - Auguri Anna

Anna Riccobon <aloha88@bigpond.com> - (144.138.23.57)
Wollongong, New South Wales Australia - Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 02:54:59 (EST)

Ciao A tutti, voglio condividere con voi alcuni passi della bibbia che ho letto oggi. Li trovo molto vicini all'esperienza di molti nostri cari parenti e amici. Buona Lettura!

Libro dell’Ecclesiastico 44,1.9-13.

Facciamo dunque l'elogio degli uomini illustri, dei nostri antenati per generazione. Di altri non sussiste memoria; svanirono come se non fossero esistiti; furono come se non fossero mai stati, loro e i loro figli dopo di essi. Invece questi furono uomini virtuosi, i cui meriti non furono dimenticati. Nella loro discendenza dimora una preziosa eredità, i loro nipoti. La loro discendenza resta fedele alle promesse e i loro figli in grazia dei padri. Per sempre ne rimarrà la discendenza e la loro gloria non sarà offuscata.

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

Hi dear Istrian friends, I want just to share with you some words I have read today. There is something about our old parents and all Istrian friends gone in heaven.

Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us. The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning. Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and declaring prophecies: Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent are their instructions: Such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in writing: Rich men furnished with ability, living peaceably in their habitations: All these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times. There be of them, that have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported. And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them. But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten. With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance, and their children are within the covenant. Their seed standeth fast, and their children for their sakes. Their seed shall remain for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out. Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore. The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise. Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, being an example of repentance to all generations. Noah was found perfect and righteous; in the time of wrath he was for the world; therefore was he left as a remnant unto the earth, when the flood came. An everlasting covenant was made with him, that all flesh should perish no more.

Dario Prodan <proledario@email.it> - (88.43.93.218)
Torino, Italy - Friday, June 01, 2007 at 14:14:52 (EST)

This is a fascinating site, especially for someone of Istrian heritage born in New York. It's always amazing to me to see how close a group Istrians are. My father, Anthony Vosilla, came to the U.S. just before WWII, fought in the war and raised a family. He was a great man, and a great chef. I only wish he had taught me how to make a good veal sauce. Anyone have a good recipe? God bless you all.

John Vosilla <jonny3putt@aol.com> - (24.184.195.40)
East Meadow, New York - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 19:36:50 (EST)

maggio 2007 E’ mancato sabato 21 aprile Fulvio Bracco, presidente onorario dell’omonimo gruppo farmaceutico. era nato a Neresine( isola di Lussino ) nel 1909 e giunse con la famiglia a Milano nel 1927. figlio del fondatore dell’azienda Elio, Fulvio si era laureato in chimica e farmacia nel 1933 e successivamente all’università di Milano aveva ottenuto la specializzazione in farmaceutica industriale. All’impegno imprenditoriale Fulvio Bracco ha unito la passione associativa in Italia e all’estero: è stato tra l’altro vicepresidente di Confindustria, presidente di Assofarma (oggi Federchimica), nominato Cavaliere del lavoro nel 1963, ordine di cui era decano al merito del lavoro, e presidente per 18 anni del Gruppo lombardo. Nel 1988 il Comune di Milano gli ha conferito la Medaglia d’oro di cittadino benemerito. Bracco ha ricevuto anche il Sigillo dall’amministrazione provinciale di Trieste. E’ stato presidente fondatore del Centro Diagnostico Italiano

Giuseppe Ritschl <istriota@libero.it> - (82.53.185.62)
Senigallia, Ancona Italia - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:24:16 (EST)

martedì 15 maggio 2007 E’ mancato sabato 21 aprile Fulvio Bracco, presidente onorario dell’omonimo gruppo farmaceutico. era nato a Neresine( isola di Lussino ) nel 1909 e giunse con la famiglia a Milano nel 1927. figlio del fondatore dell’azienda Elio, Fulvio si era laureato in chimica e farmacia nel 1933 e successivamente all’università di Milano aveva ottenuto la specializzazione in farmaceutica industriale. All’impegno imprenditoriale Fulvio Bracco ha unito la passione associativa in Italia e all’estero: è stato tra l’altro vicepresidente di Confindustria, presidente di Assofarma (oggi Federchimica), nominato Cavaliere del lavoro nel 1963, ordine di cui era decano al merito del lavoro, e presidente per 18 anni del Gruppo lombardo. Nel 1988 il Comune di Milano gli ha conferito la Medaglia d’oro di cittadino benemerito. Bracco ha ricevuto anche il Sigillo dall’amministrazione provinciale di Trieste. E’ stato presidente fondatore del Centro Diagnostico Italiano.

Giuseppe Ritschl <istriota@libero.it> - (82.53.185.62)
Senigallia, Ancona Italia - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 15:23:31 (EST) 

My grandmother, Erminia PICINICH, daughter of Maria BRATULIC PICINICH and Antonio PICINIC (diver, pilot, game warden) grew up on LUSSINPICCOLO. I am interested in communicating with anyone researching the BRATULICH and/or PICINICH families. I am also trying to locate the birth records for my grandmother. She was born in Zara. I would be willing to pay someone to search for her birth records, and the birth and death records of her parents and siblings.

JoMarie Alexander <jomarie@alexanderfamilylaw.com > - (66.41.216.155)
Andover, MN USA - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 22:57:59 (EST)

Hello thank you so much for this website. I'm currently looking for Istrians living in Melbourne Australia. I am organising a reunion for all of the 'Istriani' who live or have lived in Melbourne since the Marconi Hall days. If you are interested in knowing more about this event please contact me on persichp@hotmail.com I look forward to your reply.

Patrizia Persich <persichp@hotmail.com> - (144.132.73.94)
Melbourne, Vic Australia - Monday, April 16, 2007 at 01:23:23 (EST)

"Buona Pasqua a tutti voi cari amici istriani! A tutti gli anziani, ai giovani alle persone di buona volontà, Buona  Pasqua.

E un caro ringraziamento a chi lavora per noi, tenendo la grande famiglia istriana unita attraverso istrianet.org.

Auguri a tutti!"

Dario Prodan
Torino, Piemonte Italia - Sunday, April 8, 2007 at 14:29:18 (EST)

Wishing Marisa Ciceran and Family and wonderful support group of this site along with Istrians all over the world a wonderful Easter!!

Daniela Liubicich Massa <dmnyc119@aol.com> - (152.163.100.10)
New York City - Manhattan, NY USA - Friday, April 06, 2007 at 07:18:38 (EST)

Can anyone tell me the location of an old town called Pas from which our family name was derived?

Linda Dapas <lindadapas@yahoo.com> - (71.250.215.159)
Hoboken, New Jersey U.S.A. - Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 14:13:13 (EST)

Recently my father (Guillermo Ventin) got in contact with Helena Ventin, you could say, because of the surname in common (we are so little Ventin's in Argentina we are always trying to get in contact with other Ventin's). She told us that there were Ventin's in Istria, more specifically in Porec. I've been looking in internet but haven't found much. We are looking for our family backround. What they siad in the family was that family was from northern Italy and that my great great grandfather was a doctor that went to Spain, but we haven't been able to confirm any of this. If there is any Ventin around, we would like to say "Hi". Very nice site. Thanks for the space.

Mariana Ventin <mventin@yahoo.com> - (190.48.4.191)
Godoy Cruz, Mendoza Argentina - Monday, March 12, 2007 at 07:12:43 (EST)

Hi, Pio,

Of course I remember you! We are distant cousins, after all, even if time and real distance has separated us. You left the USA for Italy as a young teenager and then returned!? Most people make the "home-coming" trip in reverse.

Seriously, time marches on and a lot has changed since we last saw you, including for the "darling starlings" who came with mom to live with me in Manhattan in 1995. See them before their move to the city.

Are you now in the Navy, and what are you doing in Japan? Let me hear all about your adventures via private emails.

Marisa Ciceran
New York, NY USA - Saturday, March 03, 2007 at 12:30:10 (EST)

I don't know if Marisa remembers a little boy fascinated with her father's back yard and the loquacious bird in her parent's living room. My father Albino would take me there in the afternoons. I never really got to know the Istrian half of my heritage. This website explains a lot. Thank you and the staff of Istrianet.org for the passionate work you put into ensuring our little piece of heritage is not relegated to a simple, cold and purely factual reference in an encyclopedia but remains a vibrant and colorful depiction of the penninsula and its people.

Pio Stroligo <pio.stroligo@ddg63.navy.mil> (205.56.145.36)
Yokosuka, Kanagawa Japan - Saturday, March 03, 2007 at 07:18:15 (EST)

Hello Kind People, I am writing to you from New York, USA. I am looking for someone. Please, does anyone know Laris Malinaric? He is Croatian and he lives in New York (Astoria, New York). He was living in Astoria last summer but he may have returned to Croatia after September '06. He may have grown up Istria, in the Pula or Rijeka area. He said he grew up on the water, the coast. He still has family living in Croatia. He is 6' 7" (2 meters) tall, has dark hair and brown eyes. He is about 34-36 years old. He works as a bartender in New York and he also is a pilot flying small airplanes on Long Island. I met Laris last summer when he was working in my neighborhood and we became friends -- but he left his job suddenly and I lost touch with him. Do anyone know of him? If you know how I may contact him, I would be very grateful. I am most sorry to ask such questions from a strangers, truly, but I would like to contact Laris and I don't know how.

Thank you, most sincerely, if you could help. Many blessings to you all. Denise Casey

Denise Casey <djcasey13@hotmail.com> - (70.19.73.7)
New York, New York USA - Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 15:33:01 (EST)

This is an awesome site, very well done.

Elvis Cernjul <familija@davati.com> - (72.84.88.168)
- Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 19:38:26 (EST)

Really beautiful web site - congratulations!! I was born in Buenos Aires and my grandfather was Carlo Barich from Trieste (IT) and my grandmother was Nina Auber Barich. I was looking for information about the architect Barich from Istria. Kind regards

Barich, Jorge Alberto <BUEBAR@HOTMAIL.COM> - (190.30.155.84)
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 01:11:26 (EST)

Buongiorno a tutti, sono Voivoda Alessandro figlio di Emilio Voivoda l'autore della fotografia presente su questo sito al seguente link : https://www.istrianet.org/istria/crafts-trades/household/cucina-utensili.htm. La fotografia ritrae (la prima a sinistra) mia nonna, madre del fotografo Antonia Zovic.

Voivoda Alessandro <lvgeometra@libero.it> - (151.44.143.50)
Ventimiglia, Italia liguria - Monday, February 12, 2007 at 10:29:35 (EST)

Wow! What an interesting website...and such diversity and unity in one of the most beautiful provinces of Croatia, Istra! Yes, I love it also everyone, although I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, my father originated from the popular town of Lanisce (Anton Poropat), and my mother came from Cetekovac, Slavonija. I have a twin sister named Marta, and maybe some of you had heard of us in the past as a singing duet from Calgary! One of our first notable public performances was at the Splitski Festival in 1989. I also have a younger brother named Perry. I have had the privelege to learn to speak, read, write and sing in the language of my mother and father. I will always be very proud of that! I continue to travel to Croatia sometimes twice a year depending on my schedule, and seem to spend most of that time in Istra, especially Pula! I have a teta Marija that still resides in Vinez, by Labin, a cousin also in Labin, and another cousin on Rabac, each having its own charm. I'm still working on a website where you can listen to and obtain some of our music, or just to say Hello. So greeting to all my fellow Istrians wherever you may be...Ida Poropat

Ida Poropat <iporopat@hotmail.com> - (207.35.16.138)
Calgary, Alberta Canada - Friday, February 09, 2007 at 19:30:55 (EST)

Sabato 10 Febbraio 2007 viene commemorata in Italia La Giornata del Ricordo per l'esodo Istro Fiumano Dalmata e le Foibe (legge istituita nell 2004)

Ritschl Giuseppe <istriota@libero.it> - (82.49.4.245)
Senigallia, Italia - Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 16:37:07 (EST)

Poštovana ga. Ciceran! Vrlo ugodno me me iznenadila vaša web stranica o istrorumunima. Naime, kao rodjenoj Riječanki mi na žalost nije bila dovoljno poznata konkretna problematika tog zanimljivog jezika,koji polako izumire i kojega bi da sam bila bolje informirana recimo u osnovnoj školi mogla čuti i u neposrednoj blizini Rijeke. Sigurna sam, da bi tu informaciju kao zanimljivost trebalo više promovirati preko svih medijskih kanala. Radim u marketingu slovenske farmaceutske kuće i već niz godina često poslovno putujem u Rumuniju, koja me je oduševila prije svega znanjem, širinom i toplinom lokalnih ljudi. Toliko, da sam počela učiti rumunjski. Zato planiram posjetiti Žejane sa okolinom, usporediti način govora i možda naučiti nešto novo. Srdačan pozdrav!

Jasna Marčič - (195.245.250.2)
- Friday, February 02, 2007 at 09:33:25 (EST)

[Translation: Dear Ms. Ciceran, I was pleasantly surprised to find your web page on the Istro-Romanians. As a Fiumana by birth, unfortunately, I wasn't familiar enough with the issues related to this interesting language which is dying out. If I had been better informed - for example, in school - I could have heard it in my own "neighborhood", i.e. in the vicinity of Rijeka. I strongly believe that this information should be better promoted through all the media. I work for a Slovenian pharmaceutical company and for many years have been traveling regularly to Romania which impressed me a great deal - but primarily with the knowledge, openness and warmth of the population - so much so that I started to learn Romanian. Therefore, I plan now to visit Zejane and try to spot the differences between their language and the one in Romania - and perhaps learn something new there. Hearty greetings!]

Prvi put trazim izgubljenu familiju na ovaj nacin pa nisam bas optimisticna, naime trazim ako netko zna obitelj Sabolich nastanjenu oko Pitsburga oni su porijeklom iz podravine tocnije Semovci, Hrvatska...nazalost zadnji kontakt sa njima imali smo davne 1976 i zadnje sto znamo je da su ostale dvije kcerke tako da prezime Sabolich mozda vise niti ne postoji ako itko moze pomoci zahvljujemo !!

katica saric <drazen.saric@ri.t-com.hr> - (195.29.65.144)
lovran, croatia - Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 11:55:45 (EST)

[Translation: This is the first time I'm trying to look for my lost family in this way, so I'm not too optimistic. Namely, I would like to find out if someone knows of the family Sabolich living in Pittsburg or vicinity. They are originally from Podravina, or, to be exact, from Semovci, Croatia. Unfortunately, we had last contact with them in 1976, and the latest we found out was that there were two daughters left, so the surname Sabolich may not be used anymore. We would be grateful if someone could help.]

Bonne et heureuse annee 2007 a tous les amoureux de l'Istrie ! Happy new year to all people who love Istria everywhere in the world ... Auguro un bellissimo anno a tuttu gli amanti della favolosa Istria.

Serge Cajna <serge@istra.fr> - (86.193.91.205)
Nice, Cote d'Azur France - Sunday, January 07, 2007 at 12:09:15 (EST)

To all Istrians and people of good will:

Marisa Ciceran
Manhattan, New York City - Monday, January 1, 2007 at 12:00:01 (EST)