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Hello,
I am trying to locate more information on the Hrnjak family and allied lines. My great-grandfather's name was Rade Hrnjak and I believe he came to the United States from the Lika Region of Croatia. He may have lived in or near the towns and villages of Korenica, Krbavica, and Vrhovine. He was married to Danica (sometimes spelled Dancia) Svilar (daughter of Ilija Svilar and Sofia Hinich. The family lived in Dekalb, Illinois and in the Chicago area their whole lives.
I am looking for any information that anyone may have about this family in the old country and possibly any relatives who may also be seeking to reconnect. This really isn't a request for research. I am just hoping that someone who is either related or knew the family will want to be in touch with me to exchange info.
The names of Rade's parents are Ilija Hrnjak and Stana Rapich. Rade also had a brother named Dan (Dane) Hrnjak who lived and died in Utah. He also had a sister (Marie Hrnjak Enich) who lived in Boone County, Iowa. There were many other children in this family but I do not know their names.
All of my family was Serbian Orthodox and was from the Lika Region as ethnic Serbs living in the military frontier. I would especially like to find any records or even cemetery records if possible from the old country. Anything that could tell me a little more about my family line. My grandfather Rade came here at around 16 years of age and came with his brother Dane. My grandmother Danica was born here in Illinois and her parents were immigrants from Lika.
Thank you!
Jacob
Posted : 02/09/2014 8:33 pm
Jacob,
Can you give me more information like birth years and the year when they emigrated? That would help narrow down the family. As for reconnecting with same family descendants that can be a tough job due to migrations after WWII and the most recent conflicts - to forward your request for reconnecting I have to know where to look for the relatives based on the exact location where your ancestors came from.
Also since the family remained Serbian Orthodox you should get hold of the scans of their original church records after emigrating - even in marriage records of their children information on original household can be found, which is essential for establishing and confirming the family of origin you are looking for. For that you have to go directly to the church, transcripts or indexed data won't help.
HRNJAK surname is not very common so you should definitely try contacting any and all Hrnjaks you can find on social networks, Svilars are a bit more frequent but still there is a good chance you are connected with any that you come across too.
Posted : 04/09/2014 6:02 am
Topic starter
Hello,
I have sent you a private message with information about my family. Thank you so much for your help!
Posted : 05/09/2014 1:56 am
Topic starter
Hello,
I have sent you a private message with information about my family. Thank you so much for your help!
Posted : 05/09/2014 1:56 am