Croatian arrivals from Losinj, Croatia-Antonsich, Benvenutti, Budinich, Evanosich, Martinolich, Nadalich, Ragusin, and Swansine [Sforzin]
Croatian arrivals from Losinj, Croatia-Antonsich, Benvenutti, Budinich, Evanosich, Martinolich, Nadalich, Ragusin, and Swansine [Sforzin]
LUSSINGRANDE [Italian] or VELI LOSINJ [Croatian]
ANTONSICH
John Antonsich (1869-1937) was born February 22, 1869 at Veli Losinj, Croatia. He arrived at New Orleans on August 15, 1900 aboard the SS Augusta imbarking from Glascow, Scotland. He married Jennie Budnich (1876-1930) at NOLA in 1900. They moved to Bunkie, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana where they remained until October 1915 when they relocated to Biloxi, Mississippi.
Antonsich children born at Bunkie, Louisiana were: Jennie Antonsich (1905-1977) m. Anthony Filipich (1897-1969); Anthony Joseph ‘Murge’ Antonsich (1911-1980) m. Melody Prevost (1919-1993); Louise Antonsich (1912-2002) m. Michael Bumbera (1913-1982); Lenora Antonsich (1909-2005) m. Nikola [Nicholas] Pitalo (1902-1981); and Anna May Antonsich (1915-) m. Max A. Robinson (1910-1976).
Children
Mary Antonsich
Mary Antonsich (1898-1939) was born in Losinj, County Primorsko-goranska, Croatia. She married Steve Grasich (1886-1958), a natve of Brac, County Split-Dalmatia, Croatia. Mary was born in Losinj, Croatia. She expired at Biloxi on October 12, 1939. Children: John S. Grasich (1918-1996); Louis Grasich (1919-) ; Catarina [Katherine] Grasich (1920); Joseph Grasich (1923-1925); Jennie May Grasich (1924-1924); Louise Grasich (1925-) m. Walter L. Palmer (1924-1991); Louise Anna Grasich (1927-2005); Frieda Grasich (1929-1964) m. Eugene J. Kerr (1928-2011); and infant Grasich (1939-1939).
Jennie Antonsich
Anthony J. Antonsich
Louise Antonsich
Lenora Antonsich
Anna May Antonsich
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “John Antonsich files Citizenship petition”, April 22, 1920.
The Daily Herald, “Aliens may learn from reading”, May 12, 1920.
The Daily Herald, 'Mrs. [Mary Antonsich] Gracich dies', October 13, 1936.
The Daily Herald, “Joseph Antonsich”, April 7, 1980.
The Sun Herald, “Melody Prevost Antonsich”, March 1993.
The Sun Herald, “Anthony Antonsich”, October 9, 1996.
The Sun Herald, “Louise A. Bumbera”, July 2, 2002.
The Sun Herald, “Leonora A. Pitalo”, March 13, 2005.
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Family lore relates that Frank was a stowaway on steamer that left Trieste for New Orleans. He arrived in the Crescent City in 1880 and married Mary Louise Desbles or Desblais (1868-1943) between 1889 and 1893. They were the parents of: John Benvenutti (b. 1887); Joseph Benvenutti (b. 1889); Estella Benvenutti (1893-1988) m. Henry J. Meyer; Dora Benvenutti (b. 1895) m. Mr. Cox; Maximillian Benvenutti (1898-1979) m. Elosie A. Delaney (1901-1983); Florence Benvenutti (1900-1988) m. Joseph Lacoste; Augustina Benvenutti (1905-2000) m. Ernest Sperier (1901-1983); and Albert Joseph Benvenutti (1906-1987) m. Clara Woodcock (1911-1999).
Anthony D. Benvenutti Jr.
John Joseph Budinich (1876-1957) was born at Lussin Grande on the Croatian island of Losinj, County Split-Dalmatia on August 6, 1879. He left Croatia, then a possession of Austria, and went to sea when he was but a lad of twelve years of age. John J. Budinich came to America arriving at New York City in September 1900, having embarked from Trieste, Austria on the SS Gotfritt Jenker. Mr. Budinich came to Biloxi in January 1901. In Harrison County, Mississippi on September 26, 1904, he married Catherine Battaya (1884-1932), the daughter of Battaya and .(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 16, p. 115 and The Daily Herald August 10, 1914, p. 2)
When Mr. Budinich declared his intentions to become an American citizen in Augsut 1914, he related to authorities that "[I] will not fight for Austria, me. No, no, no. I fight under the stars and -what you call it? If Emperior Francis Joseph want me to fight he lead me to the depot in a coffin."(The Daily Herald August 10, 1914, p. 2)
John Joseph Budinich was naturalized in the South Mississippi Division of the US District Court at Biloxi, Mississippi on November 24, 1920.(Petition for Naturalization Southen Mississippi District Court No. 203 and Naturalization Certificate No. 1511951)
CHILDREN
ANTONIA J. BUDINICH
Antonia Juliet Budinich (1907-1993) was born April 13, 1907. She married Robert Augustus Malone in Harrison County, Mississippi on April 20, 1925. Antonia B. Malone expired at Sedalia, Pettis Co., Missouri in September 1993. Their first child, Shirley Malone, was born on July 30, 1926.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 37, p. 5 and The Daily Herald, August 2, 1926, p. 2)
LOUIS R. BUDINICH
Louis Rudolph Budinich (1909-1909) was born in January 1909. He expired at Biloxi, Mississippi on May 16, 1909. The family was domiciled at 412 Delaunay Street and the infant Budinich’s corporal remains were interred in the Biloxi Cemetery.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, May 17, 1909, p. 1)
HILDA M. BUDINICH
Hilda Mae Budinich (1910-2000) was born July 21, 1909. She married Neil Henry McAllister on June 26, 1923 in Harrison County, Mississippi. They were the parents of:
After the demise of Neil H. McAllister, she married Willie Clyde May.
FRANCIS J. BUDINICH
Francis J. ‘Buck’ Budinich (1911-1989) was at born at Biloxi, Mississippi on November 16, 1911. He married Anna Hartman (1913-1969). Children: Dawn B. Thomas and Rodney Budinich. Buck Budinich died at Ocean Springs on February 5, 1989. Interred Biloxi Cemetery.(The Sun Herald, February 8, 1989, p. A4)
GEORGE R. BUDINICH
George Rudolph Budinich (1914-1957) was born November 14, 1915
CARL A. BUDINICH
Carl Arsane Budinich (1917-2009) was born January 16, 1917. He married Alma Rebecca Lewis (1922-1999), a native of Gloster, Massachusetts, in Harrison Co., Mississippi on January 6, 1942. They were the parents of two children: Carl A. Budinich Jr. m. Brenda Joy Roig in August 1966 and Sue Budinich m. Worthy McClure.
REFERENCES:
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Necrology-Louis Rudolph Budinich”, May 17, 1909.
The Daily Herald,“[John Joseph Budinich] Will not fight for native land”, August 10, 1914.
The Daily Herald,“Former Biloxian [Joseph Argentina] fighting in Austrian army”, June 1, 1915.
The Daily Herald,“Daughter [Shirley] born to Malones”, August 2, 1926.
The Daily Herald,“Mrs. Budnich succumbs”, March 3, 1932.
The Daily Herald,“John J. Budinich”, October 1957.
The Daily Herald,“George Budinich”, November 7, 1957.
The Sun Herald, “Francis ‘Buck’ Budinich”, February 8, 1989.
The Sun Herald, “Alma Rebecca Budinich”, December 22, 1999.
The Sun Herald, “Hilda McAllister”, June 18, 2000.
The Sun Herald, “Bertha ‘June’ Budinich Redmond”, July 12, 2007 .
The Sun Herald, “Carl Arsane Budinich Sr.”, November 8, 2009.
Times-Picayune, “Miss Brenda Joy Roig [photo]”, August 14,1966.
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LUSSINPICCOLO [Italian] or MALI LOSINJ [Croatian]
St. James Catholic Church Cemetery-Pass Christian Road, Gulfport [Handsboro], Mississippi
MARTINOLICH
Frank Martinolich Sr. died at Delisle, Missississippi last Sunday [December 1st] in his 84th year. He was a citizen of this county for 22 years and was born at Lussin [Losinj, Croatia], Austria. He was decorated by the Austrian government for services rendered during the war of 1866. True to his church he was a very devout Catholic and he died with all the sacraments of the church. The funeral took place at Handsboro was attended by a large number of friends and relatives of the deceased. Rev. Father Kuhn conducted the services. The deceased was a ship carpenter and well known in the community and the possessor of many staunch friends. He was the father of Matthew Martinolich (1861-1934) of Handsboro and Frank Martinolich Jr. (1866-1912).
The pallbearers were: John Marchitich, a close friend of the family, Leon Sellier of Delisle. Mr. Lapoci and others." [from The Daily Herald, December 5, 1912, p. ]
MATTEO MARTINOLICH
[The Biloxi Herald, August 14, 1897, p. 5]
Matteo Martinolich (1861-1934) was born February 11, 1861 at Lussinpiccolo, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia, the son of Francisco [Frank] Stanislaus Martinolich (1829-1912) and Maria Martinolich (1821-1896).
The Frank S. Martinolich family came to America and settled in Harrison Couty, Mississippi circa 1883.(1900 Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal census R 809, p. 4A, ED 33)
On October 28, 1885, he married Johanna Pavolini (1864-1932), the daughter of Antonio Pavolini and Margarita Marsolina in 1885. Their nuptials were celebrated at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, Hancock County, Mississippi.(Lepre, 1995, p. 250)
Matteo and Johanna were the parents of: Francis A. Martinolich (1886-1911); Antonio R. Martinolich (1888-1976) m. Klara Kuhn (1895-1976); John J. Martinolich (1890-1952); Marie ‘Mamie’ Martinolich (1892) m. Mr. Campbell; Clara Victoria Martinolich (1894-1979) m. Thomas D. Webb (1895-1970); Joseph Dominique Martinolich (1896-1983) m. Inez M. Delmas (1898-1989); Andrew Kenneth Martinolich (1898-1989) m. Charlene Jeannette Schmidt (1909-1989); Catherine Odile Martinolich (1900-1991); and Anna Martinolich (1902-1993) m. Mr. Pix.(1900 and 1910 Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal Census R 809, p. 4A, ED33 and T624_741, p. 4B, ED 37)
St. James Catholic Church Cemetery-Pass Christian Road, Gulfport [Handsboro], Mississippi
Matteo Martinolich [from Lang, 1936, p. 160]
At the age of 14 years, Matteo Martinolich entered the Poland* Navy Yard as an apprentice to learn shipbuilding mechanics and design. At the age of 21 years, he came to America through the port of New Orleans and was soon joined by Frank Martinolich, his brother. Matteo Martinolich settled at DeLisle in Harrison County, Mississippi. From DeLisle, he relocated to Handsboro, Harrison County, Mississippi and established the Martinolich Shipbuilding Company. Here he built hundreds of boats which sailed American waters as well as the Seven Seas. In 1906**, Matteo entered the government service for six and constructed dams, locks and barges on rivers in eastern Alabama and western Georgia. In his absence, Frank Martinolich maintained the boat building enterprises at DeLisle and Handsboro. During World War I, Matteo Martinolich designed and built many water craft at Handsboro for Frank J. Stuard of Gulfport. He was the first designer to introduce Mississippi pine in the construction of sea-going vessel which was approved by the marine underwriters. After the Great War, Martinolich established the Handsboro Ice Plant which by 1936 was operated by A.R. Martinolich, his son. Matteo Martinolich died on December 23, 1934. His corporal remains as those of his wife, parents and some children, were interred in the St. James Catholic Church Cemetery at Handsboro, Harrison County, Mississippi.
*Lang probably meant Pula Navy Yard at present day Pula, Istria County, Croatia.
**1910 Federal Census-Harrison Co., Mississippi has Matteo Martinloich at handsboro, Mississippi as a shipbuilder.
Schooner Josephine Mestier [built 1893 by Matteo Martinolich]
Children
Francis A. Martinolich
Francis ‘Frank’ Alphonse Martinolich (1886-1911) was born September 17, 1886 at DeLisle, Harrison County, Mississippi to Matteo Martinolich (1861-1934) and Johanna Pavolini (1864-1930+). When Frank was a child, the Martinolich family relocated from DeLisle to Handsboro, Harrison County, Mississippi. In 1910, Frank made his livelihood as a gas engineer until his health began to fail. He expired on June 2, 1911 in his parent’s home in Handsboro. Frank never married and he was survived by his parents, six brothers, and four sisters. His corporal remains were interred in the Catholic Cemetery at Handsboro, Mississippi.(Lepre, Vol. II, 1995, p. 161 andThe Daily Herald, June 3, 1911. p. 4)
Antonio R. Martinolich
Antonio ‘Anthony’ Romain [Roman] Martinolich (1888-1976) was born November 18, 1888 at DeLisle, Harrison County, Mississippi to Mateo Martinolich (1861-1934) and Johanna Pavolini (1864-1930+). He married Klara Kuhn (1895-1976), a 1910 immigrant and native of Erding, Bavaria, Germany on October 1, 1913 in Handsboro, Harrison County, Mississippi.(Lepre, 1991, p. 212 an Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 25, p. 437)
At Handsboro, Mississippi, Anthony R. Martinolich made his livelihood manufacturing ice. They were the parents of Frank A. Martinolich (1914-1968); Irma C. Martinolich (1915-1966); Juanita Martinolich (1917-2012) m. Maurice Greenwald (1912-1984); Genevieve Martinolich (1918-1934); and Elaine Martinolich (b. 1924).(1920 and 1930 Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal Census)
Anthony R. Martinolich expired on December 24, 1976. He was preceded n death by his spouse, Klara Kuhn Martinolich, who died on January 13, 1976. They and their following children were interred in the St. James Catholic Cemetery in Gulfport, Mississippi: Frank A. Martinolich (1914-1968); Irma C. Martinolich (1915-1966); Juanita M. Greenwald (1917-2012) and spouse, Maurice Greenwald (1912-1984); Genevieve Martinolich (1918-1934); and Elaine Martinolich (1923-2013).
John Martinolich
John J. Martinolich (1890-1952) was born September 17, 1890. He worked in the Handsboro area until 1913 and relocated to Houston, Texas. Here he married Sadie E. Martinolich (1895-1930+) circa 1916.(Lepre, Vol. II, 19951, p. 161)
Marie Martinolich
Clara V. Martinolich
Clara Victoria Martinolich (1894-1979) was born March 12, 1894. She married Thomas David Webb (1895-1970) in Harrison County, Mississippi on November 3, 1920.(Lepre, 1991, p. 212 and Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 32, p. 432)
In 1930, Clara M. Webb and Thomas D. Webb (1895-1970) were residents of Old Pass Road in Mississippi City. At this time, Mr. Webb was employed as a truck driver delivering ice, very probably for Clara’s brother, Anthony R. Martinolich. Their children were: Thomas D. Webb Jr. (1921-1998) m. Elizabeth Webb; Clara Webb (1924); John Webb (1926); Helen Webb (b. 1930) m. William Ned Satchfield [1925-2008]; Virginia Webb m. Charles Gavagnie; and Robert A. Webb (1933-2009).(1930 Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal Census R1146, p. 13A, ED 19)
Thomas David Webb died March 1970. Clara lived until October 1979.
Joseph D. Martinolich
Joseph Dominique Martinolich (1896-1983) was born February 10, 1896. He married Inez M. Delmas (1898-1989) on November 30, 1922 in Harrison County, Mississippi.(Lepre, 1991, p. 212 and Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 34, p. 372)
Children: Joseph D. Martinolich (1924); Dorothy Adaire Martinolich (1925-2015) m. Joseph O’Donnell Collins (1921-2012); Margaret E. Martinolich (1926-2002) m. George Joseph Peranich (1919-2006); Doris Marie Martinolich (1928) m. Thomas Walter Sheffield; and Charles J. Martinolich (1929).
Children:
Obituary for Dorothy "Dot" Adair Martinolich Collins
Dorothy Adair Martinolich “Dot” Collins (1925-2015) died peacefully at her home on July 19, 2015. Dorothy was born in Handsboro to Joseph Dominic Martinolich and Inez Delmas Martinolich and was a proud graduate of the Gulfport High School Class of 1943. Dorothy’s first and most important vocation was as a wife to Joseph, her husband of 66 years, and as a loving mother and example to her daughter and sons. She was a devoted member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Altar Society, and a volunteer for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. After raising her children she attended college and enjoyed oil painting, becoming an accomplished artist. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph O’Donnell Collins, Sr., her mother and father, her sister, Margaret Peranich, her brother Charles, daughter-in-law Francesca Mathews Collins, brothers-in-law, Francis X. Collins, William J. Collins, Jr., Paul J. Collins, Edmund D. Wilson, Louis Gaddy, and George Peranich, and sisters-in-law Dorothy Gates Collins and Jane Collins. She is survived by her sons, Joseph, Jr. and wife, Colleen, Charles, Sr. and wife, Debbie, Daniel and wife, Terese, and daughter Deborah Collins Jones. Dorothy was proud of her twelve grandchildren, Emily Collins Orgler (Raymond), Allison Collins Kline (Clayton), Justin Collins (Liza), Charles Collins, Jr. (Sarah), Nicholas Collins, Kenneth Jones, II (Leigh), Gregory Collins (Jessica), Laura Collins Dennis (John), Benjamin Collins (Jackie), Kathryn Collins, Austin Collins, and Tiffany Jones and her great grandchildren, Oliver Collins, Clayton Kline II, Charles Collins III, Sawyer Collins, Claire Collins, and Frazier Jones. Dorothy is also survived by her brother Joseph D. Martinolich, sisters Doris Kansteiner and husband Larry, Agnes Gaddy, and Carolyn Carden and husband Charles, brother-in-law, Leonard A. Collins and wife, Lucille, and sisters-in-law, Rose (Mrs. Paul J.) Collins, Mary Collins (Mrs. Edmund D.) Wilson and Rosemary (Mrs. Francis X.) Collins. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Dorothy’s grandsons will serve as her pallbearers. Visitation will be Friday, July 24, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. followed at 10:00 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Pass Road, Biloxi. Burial will follow at Southern Memorial Park. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.(The Sun Herald, July 23, 2015)
Andrew K. Martinolich
Andrew Kenneth Martinolich (1898-1989) was born
Catherine O. Martinolich
Catherine Odile Martinolich (1900-1991) was born March 7, 1900.(Lepre, 1991, p. 212)
Anna J. Martinolich
Anna Johanna Martinolich (1902-1993) was born March 3, 1902. She also moved to Houston, Texas and in 1930 was working as a sales clerk in a department store. Circa 1937 in Harris County, Texas, Anna married William Miner Crowell Pix (1895-1954), a native of Galveston, Texas. Kareen Claire Pix, a daughter, was born on March 13, 1939 in Houston, Texas. Kareen married George H. Gore in October 1979 in Harris County, Texas.(1930 Harris Co., Texas Federal Census R 2346, p. 10A, ED 67)
Anna J. Martinolich Pix expired on December 16, 1993 at Houston, Harris County, Texas. She was preceded in death by Miner Crowell Pix, her spouse, who passed on April 25, 1954.
Johanna Pavolini Martinolich expired in her home on Old Pass Road at Handsboro, Mississippi on
DeLisle Cemetery-Harrison County, Mississippi
FRANK S. MARTINOLICH JR.
Frank Stanislaus Martinolich Jr. (1866-1912) was born in November 1866 in Lussinpiccolo, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. In Harrison County, Mississippi, he married Armentine Pavolini (1877-1905) in October 1888. They were the parents of: Louis de Gonzaga Martinolich (1889-1920+); Mateo Martinolich (1891-1891); Louise Martinolich (1893-1913); Antonia Marguerite Martinolich (1896-1898); Theresa Eolina Martinolich (1898); Laura Martinolich (1902-1981) m. Howard G. Cuevas and Mr. Rosemann; Agnes Martinolich (1906); Leo Martinolich (1905-1914); and Jessie Martinolich (1907-1914).(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 8, p. 423)
Children
Leo Martinolich
Leo Martinolich (1905-1914)
Jessie Martinolich
Jessie Martionlich (1907-1914)
REFERENCES:
John H. Lang, History of Harrison County, Mississippi, (The Dixie Press: Gulfport, Mississippi-1936)
Jerome Lepre, Catholic Church Records Diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi, Volume I, (Catholic Dioceses of Biloxi: Biloxi, Mississippi-1991).
Jerome Lepre, Catholic Church Records Diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi, Volume II, (Catholic Dioceses of Biloxi: Biloxi, Mississippi-1995).
Jerome Lepre, Catholic Church Records Diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi, Volume III, (Catholic Dioceses of Biloxi: Biloxi, Mississippi-1995).
JOURNALS
The Biloxi Herald, “Latest City News”, August 22, 1896.
The Daily Herald, “Frank Martinolich”, June 3, 1911.
The Daily Herald, “Sad death of Frank Martinolich”, May 15, 1912
The Daily Herald, “Death of Frank Martinolich Sr.”, December 5, 1912.
The Daily Herald, “Handsboro boys [Jesse and Leo Martinolich]sink to bottom of swift stream”, June 30, 1914.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. M. [Johanna Pavolini]Martinolich dies at Handsboro”, November 7, 1932.
The Daily Herald, “Matteo Martinolich dies”, December 24, 1934.
The Daily Herald, “John Martinolich”, August 8, 1952.
The Sun Herald, “Thomas David Webb Jr.”, April 7, 1998.
The Sun Herald, “Robert Anthony Webb”, October 2009..
The Sun Herald, “Juanita Martinolich Greenwald”, May 3, 2012.
The Sun Herald, “Joseph O. Collins Sr.”, October 24, 2012.
The Sun Herald, “Elaine Martinolich”, May 16, 2013.
The Sun Herald, “Dorothy Adair Martinolich Collins”, July 23, 2015.
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NADALICH
John Nadalich
John Nadalich (1880-1919) was born August 16, 1878 [tombstone relates September 16, 1880] at Mali Losinj, Istria County, Croatia. John left Trieste aboard the SS Girty and arrived a New York City on July 16, 1898. In February 1918, he was described as being 6 feet tall and weighing 178 pounds. (Declaration of Intent No. 452-Southern District Court of Southern Mississippi-February 28, 1918)
John Nadalich married Sedonia Perria (1882-1968), a native of DeLisle, Harrison County, in Harrison County, Mississippi on May 29, 1907. Their known children: Emma Nadalich (1910-1978) m. Anthony W. Covacvich (1907-1997); Juanita Nadalich (1912-1996); Ida Mae Nadalich (1914-1996) m. Anthony ‘Tony’ Misko (1911-1993); and Francis J. Nadalich (1917-1995) m. Weida 'Toot' Hebert (1921-2012).(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 19, p. 104)
Blaz Milian
John Nadalich expired on July 15, 1919. In May 1920, Sedonia P. Nadalich married Blaz ‘Vlaho’ Milian (1881-1946), a shrimp boat captain and Croatian immigrant from Dubrovnik. They had a son, George Edward Milian (1920-1979). Blaz Milian became the stepfather of the children of the Nadalich children and reared them at 510 Bohn Street in Biloxi, Mississippi. (The Daily Herald, May 18, 1920, p. 4)
Children
Emma Nadalich
Emma Nadalich (1910-1978) was born on . She married Anthony W. Covacevich, the son of Jacob Covacevich (1875-1962) and at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on March 6, 1929. They made their home at 510 Bohn Street with B
Francis J. Nadalich
Francis ‘Monk’ John Nadalich (1917-1995) was born August 21, 1917. He married Weida Hebert (1921-2012), a native of Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana and the daughter of O’Neil Hebert and Elia Hebert, in Harrison County, Mississippi on December 13, 1939. They were the parents of: Francis J. ‘Butch’ Nadalich Jr. (1939-2002); O’Neal ‘Neal’ James Nadalich (1945-1994) m. Linda Gale Prekup and Mary Sue Patronas; Diane Nadalich (1949) m. Joseph James Casano Jr. and Terry Gordon.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB )
Children
Francis J. Nadalich
Francis John Nadalich (1939-2002), called Butch, was born at Biloxi, Mississippi on December 13, 1939. He graduated from BHS in 1957.
Butch passed on 5 June 2002 at Nashville, Tennessee. He was survivied by two children: Christopher O'Neal Nadalich of Jackson, Mississippi and Catharine Nadalich Parma of of Nashville; three grandchildren; his mother at Biloxi; and sister, Diane Nadlaich Gordon of Las vegas, Nevada.[The Sun Herald, June 8, 2002]
Weida “Toot’ Hebert was born July 29, 1921. She expired on November 24, 2012 at Las Vegas, Nevada where she went to reside with Diane Nadalich Terry, her daughter, after Hurricane Katrina. Toot Nadalich was preceded in death by her spouse; two sons; her parents; brothers, Electon Hebert, Wade Hebert, Ridley Hebert, Ellison Hebert, Edmond Hebert, and Willis Hebert; sisters, Nita Hebert Toups and Electa Hebert Smith. A memorial service at Biloxi, Mississippi was planned.(The Sun Herald, December 5, 2012, p. A5)
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “Covacevich-Nadalich”, March 7, 1929.
The Sun Herald,“Francis ‘Monk’ Nadalich”, November 8,1995.
The Sun Herald,“Francis J. Nadalich”, June 8, 2002.
The Sun Herald,“Weida Hebert Nadalich”, December 5, 2012.
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RAGUSIN
ANTHONY RAGUSIN
Anthony Ragusin (1861-1940), known on the Mississippi Coast as Captain Tony, was born August 15, 1861 at Lussin Piccolo, Croatia. He arrived in New York City in 1880 having sailed from Liverpool, England aboard the City of Paris. Sam Ragusin, Captain Tony’s brother settled at Seattle, Washington while Jack Ragusin remained at Losinj, Croatia. Captain Tony settled at Biloxi, Mississippi circa 1885 where he found employment in local shipyards at Pascagoula and Biloxi. He also was employed at the Dantzler Foundry at Gulfport, Mississippi, as well as, rigging vessels and sail repair.(The Daily Herald, April 15, 1940, p. 10)
Anthony Ragusin with Mary Bunicich (1872-1944), his spouse, reared four children at 525 East Howard Avenue: Antonia Ragusin (1908-2001) m. Thomas Cvitanovich (1895-1977); Mary Ragusin (1909-1999) m. John J. Askin (1895-1958); Anna Ragusin m. Stanley David Lodrigues (1912-1999); and Joseph A. Ragusin (1914-1978) m. Camille Exnicios (1911-2000).
JOSEPH RAGUSIN
St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 [New Orleans]
MARCO RAGUSIN
Marco Ragusin (1858-1911) married Mary Swansine (1869-1928) on March 3, 1886 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Antonio “Tony” Sforzin (1832-1888), the progenitor of the Swansine family in Louisiana and the Mississippi Coast and Domenica Mattea “Matteo” Vidulich (1850-1910), the daughter of Giovanni Vidulich and Mattea Ostromann. Antonio Sforzin was born circa 1832 in Croatia, the child of Francesco Sforzin and Maddalena Schierbich. On 28 Oct 1863 at the Zagreb Roman Catholic Church in Mali Lošinj, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Croatia. Tony Sforzin [Swansine] married Domenica Mattea “Matteo” Vidulich (1850-1910), daughter of Giovanni Vidulich and Mattea Ostromann.Tony Sforzin brought his wife and three children to the United States through the port of New Orleans in 1887. He died shortly after their arrival and his widow married Antonio “Capt. Toney” Bunicich, in New Orleans in October 1889.
[from The Biloxi Daily Herald, October 14, 1900]
Marco Ragusin arrived at New Orleans in 1870 and became a naturalized citizen at New Orleans on May 8, 1885. He was a successful schooner captain in his early years and then retired from the sea and opened a saloon in the Crescent City. During their married life the couple lived in New Orleans. In 1911 Mary lost Marco, her husband, on May 8th and her only son, Anthony Ragusin (1891-1911) on September 30th. She and her only daughter, Inez Ragusin Turcotte (1900-1993), then moved to Biloxi, Mississippi and for some time lived with Mary’s widowed sister, Matilda Swansine Simonich (1877-1948). Mary Swansine Ragusin died in New Orleans on November 4, 1928 and was interred with her husband and son at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 in the Crescent City.
Inez Ragusin
On September 17, 1934, Inez Ragusin, called Cuz', married Alfred Arsene Turcotte (1897-1948), a native of Barre, Vermont whose parents were Wilfred Turcotte and Georgianna Pineault, French Canadian immigrants. Their nuptials were at St. Raymond's Catholic Church in NOLA. Alfred's father worked in a Vermont quarry. Prior to this marriage, Alfred A. Turcotte had been married to Maria ? Fontami Turcotte, a 1907 French Canadian lady, who brought Irene Fontami (1919-1930+), her Massachusetts born daughter, into the marriage.(The Daily Herald, September 21, 1934, p. 7 and 1930 Norfolk Co., Massachusetts Federal Census R 932, p. 29B, ED 2)
After their wedding in the Crescent City, the Turcottes settled at Biloxi, Mississippi at 228 Thomas Street. Alfred A. Turcotte had been an employee of the Veterans Administration for nearly one year. Apparently they left Biloxi for New England before April 1942. Here Alfred A. Turcotte registered for the WWII draft in April 1942, and related that he was married to Inez Turcotte and a resident of Bellingham, Massachusetts. At this time, he was employed by the City of Bellingham. Their mailing address was RFD No. 1 Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Alfred expired at Alexandria, Louisina on March 30, 1948.(The Daily Herald, April 1, 1948, p. 5)
Inez Ragusin Turcotte expired at Biloxi, Mississippi on January 8, 1993. Her corporal remains were sent to NOLA for internement in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3. She had been clerk for Southern Bell's chief operators for thirty-three years, a member of Pioneers of America, and the N.B.V.M. Catholic Church and Altar Society.(The Sun Herald, January 10, 1993, p. A2)
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “City News”, September 12, 1908.
The Daily Herald,“City News”, August 25, 1909.
The Daily Herald,“Biloxi Society and Personal Items”, May 10, 1911.
The Daily Herald, “Declaration of Intention [Joseph Ragusin]”, April 17, 1916.
The Daily Herald, “[A.V.] Ragusin is a marvel”, September 10, 1925.
The Daily Herald, “Miss Ragusin’s shower”, June 6, 1927.
The Daily Herald, "Turcotte-Ragusin", September 21, 1934.
The Daily Herald, “Anthony Ragusin, age 78, dies”, April 15, 1940.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. Mary [Bunicich or Buninich] Ragusin dies”, December 11, 1944.
The Daily Herald, “A.A. Turcotte dies", April 1, 1948.
The New Orleans Item, "Funeral Marco Ragusin", May 9, 1911.
The Sun Herald, “Inez 'Cuz' Turcotte”, January 10, 1993, p. A2.
The Sun Herald, “Antonio [sic] [Ragusin] Cvitanovich”, November 13, 2001, p. A5.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
ANTHONY S. RAGUSIN
Anthony S. Ragusin (18-1910) married Mary Josephine Milinovich (1878-1966) at N.B.V.M. on July 14, 1901. She was the daughter of Adam Milinovich and Anna Matlovich, both Austrian immigrants. In 1880, the Adam Milinovich family was domiciled at Port Eads, South Pass of the Mississippi River, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.(1880 Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana R465, ED 141, p. 221A)
ANTHONY V. RAGUSIN-‘MR. BILOXI’
[L-R: Matt Lyons and "Mr. Biloxi"-Anthony V. 'Tony' Ragusin]
Anthony V. Ragusin (1902-1997) was born on April 22, 1902 at Biloxi, Mississippi the son of Anthony S. Ragusin (18-1910), a Croatian immigrant fisherman, and Mary Josephine Milinovich (1878-1966), a native of Port Eads, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Mary J. Ragusin was the daughter of Adam Milinovich (1841-1880+) and Anna Matlovich (1843-1880+), both natives of Croatia.(1880 Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana R465, ED 141, p. 221A) .
Anthony V. Ragusin was the oldest of the five children of Anthony S. Ragusin and Mary J. Milinovich that were all born at Biloxi, Mississippi: His siblings were: Albert J. Ragusin (1904-1991) m. Ruth Bellande (1906-1993); Mary Victoria Ragusin (1906-1994) m. Joseph Francis Carro (1915-1986); Anna Louise Ragusin (1908-1908); and Lydia Ragusin (1909-1993) m. Charles O. Flickner (1918-1988).(1910 Harrison County, Mississippi Federal Census T624_740, p. 1A, ED 35)
Marriage and Family
On November 1, 1926, A.V. ‘Tony’ Ragusin married Edith Bill (1904-1979). Edith was the daughter of Bill and .(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 38, p. 499)
Chamber of Commerce
1938 Mississippi Art Association Exhibit
Military Career
Albert J. Ragusin
Albert J. Ragusin and Ruth C. Bellande Ragusin
Albert Joseph Ragusin (1904-1991) married Ruth Cecelia Bellande (1906-1993) at the old St. John's Catholic Church on Bayview Avenue and Main Street in early November 1939. Father J.P. McGlade officiated in the presence of their attendants, Mildred Izard and Philip Capuana. Ruth Cecelia Bellande was born on September 25, 1906 to Peter Bellande (1871-1933) and Alice Caillavet (1872-1955). (Daily Herald, November 6, 1939, p. 8)
The Ragusins lived for many years at 607 Santini Street in Biloxi where Albert had a plumbing business. As a youth, he had left school to sell newspapers to help support his family. Albert's father, Antonio S. Ragusin (1866-1911), a Croatian immigrant, died in June 1911, at Biloxi from blood poisoning resulting from a sting ray wound.
In 1916, Albert Ragusin, was residing with his family at 756 Reynoir Street. He and his older brother, Tony Ragusin (1902-1997), were newsboys at the time. Albert wrote an article about “Biloxi” that was published in December issue of The Lone Scout, a magazine for boys with a national circulation of about 150,000 readers.(The Daily Herald, January 5, 1917, p. 2)
Albert J. Ragusin at Losinj
[L-R: Albert J. Ragusin (1904-1991), Ruth Bellande Ragusin (1906-1993), Jackie Tabb (b. 1943), Jacobina Gospodinovich Tabb (1914-2006), Dominic Leperi (1920-2004), and Margaret Rita Gospodinovich Leperi (1923-2008)]-image May 1985 with the courtesy of Jackie Tabb.
Albert J. Ragusin learned to plumb at the Biloxi Plumbing & Heating Company owned by Henry L. Schwan and Charles Coquet, Sr. He commenced work for $7.50 per week. As a journeyman plumber, he worked on the Edgewater Hotel. Ragusin then went to Kansas City for advanced training. He passed the Kansas City plumbing examination board. Returning to Biloxi, Albert and Fred Demourelle Sr. commenced their own business, Demourelle & Ragusin. Prior to the stock market crash of October 1929, Mr. Ragusin went to Chicago and Flint, Michigan. At Flint, he worked on a large construction project. In July 1941, he joined the Civil Service at KAFB as the chief foreman plumber for a salary of $2600 per year. His first job was to supervise the laying of water lines to the tents. Ragusin retired from the Civil Service circa 1973. At this time, he held the title of Superintendent of pavements and grounds in the Civil Engineering department of the military base.(The Daily Herald, May 24, 1929, p. 9, November 6, 1939, p. 8 and June 12, 1971, p. C-3)
In his retirement years, Albert J. Ragusin was active in yard work, wood turning, and Senior Citizens activities. He was chosen to the Mississippi Joint State Legislative Commission and served at least two terms. This commission represented the legislative interest of about 5000 members of AARP and the National Retired Teachers Association in Jackson, Harrison, Hancock, Stone, Pear River, George, and Greene Counties of south Mississippi.(The Ocean Springs record, November 11, 1976, p. 3)
In 1956, the Ragusins built a lovely domicile at 104 St. Charles Street on the north shore of Back Bay. The bay front home was legated to Fern Davidson Dubaz O' Neal after the demise of Ruth Bellande Ragusin in 1993. The Raguain-O'Neal place was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina in late August 2005 and demolished in the fall of 2005.
In their younger days, they traveled extensively throughout North America by automobile. They enjoyed many visits to the Riley family in Denver, Colorado. In recent years, the couple has made trips to Europe. Albert fulfilled a life long ambition by visiting the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, the birthplace of his parents.
In 1989, the Ragusins celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their residence with a family reunion party. Although Ruth and Albert were childless, they have been very supportive of their close relatives through the years. Albert J. Ragusin died October 1, 1991. Ruth Bellande Ragusin passed on September 28, 1993. Both are interred at the Biloxi Cemetery on the beach front.
REFERENCES:
The Biloxi Daily Herald,“Ragusin-Milinovich”, July 28, 1901.
The Biloxi Daily Herald,“City News”, September 11, 1908.
The Biloxi D’Iberille Press,“Tony Ragusin, 94, oldest living outstanding citizen”, January 22, 1997.
The Daily Herald,“City News”, August 25, 1909.
The Daily Herald,“Stuck [Antonio S. Ragusin]while seining dies of blood poison”, June 7, 1910.
The Daily Herald,“Biloxi newsboy magazine writer”, January 5, 1917.
The Daily Herald,“Anthony Ragusin making progress”, July 24, 1918.
The Daily Herald,“Makes excellent drawings”, February 24, 1920.
The Daily Herald,“Biloxi lad paints picture”, December 29, 1920.
The Daily Herald,“Ragusin attending school”, July 12, 1928.
The Daily Herald,“Ragusin likes school”, July 16, 1928.
The Daily Herald,“Ragusin enters pictures”, March 31, 1938.
The Daily Herald,“Ragusin promoted to rank of Major”, July 5, 1945.
The Daily Herald,“Jackson leaves secretaryship of Biloxi C. of C. Friday”, February 28, 1946.
The Daily Herald,“Ragusin President Biloxi business club”, December ?, 13, 1946.
The Daily Herald,“Secretary Ragusin writes of past and future of Biloxi”, January 2, 1951.
The Daily Herald,“Ragusin assigned to Florence, Italy”, June 20, 1952.
The Sun Herald,“Man who put city ‘on the map’ dies”, March 4, 1997.
The Biloxi-D'Iberville Press, "Tony Ragusin, oldest living outstanding citizen", January 22, 1997.
The Sun Herald, "Legendary 'Mr. Biloxi' , the Man who lured Keesler, dies at 94", March 4, 1997.
The Sun Herald, "Ragusin was 'Mr. Biloxi'-Man who put city 'on the map' dies", March 4, 1997.
The Times-Picayune,“Duo presents keen view of Coast Region”, April 1, 1951.
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald,“City News”, September 12, 1908.
The Daily Herald,“City News”, August 25, 1909.
The Daily Herald,“Biloxi Society and Personal Items”, May 10, 1911.
The Daily Herald,“Declaration of Intention [Joseph Ragusin]”, April 17, 1916.
The Daily Herald,“Miss Ragusin’s shower”, June 6, 1927.
The Daily Herald, "Turcotte-Ragusin", September 21, 1934.
The Daily Herald,“Anthony Ragusin, age 78, dies”, April 15, 1940.
The Daily Herald,“Mrs. Mary Ragusin dies”, December 11, 1944.
The Sun Herald, “Inez 'Cuz' Turcotte”, January 10, 1993, p. A2.
The Times-Picayune,“Married-Ragusin-Milinovich”, July 28, 1901.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SWANSINE [SFORZIN] FAMILY
by Dawna Graham Westbrook [October 2011]
The Swansine family name has gone through many metamorphoses and transformations as it was becoming Americanized. The family name was spelled “Sforzin” on original documents in Croatia, then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The descendants signed their name with assorted spellings during their lives as follows: Sforsin, Sforian, Sporcini, Offarcin, Swancine and Swanzine. The current generation is spelling their name-“Swansine”.
ANTONIO SFORZIN
Antonio “Tony” Sforzin (1832-1888) was the progenitor of the Swansine family in Louisiana and the Mississippi coast. He was born circa 1832 in Croatia, the child of Francesco Sforzin and Maddalena Schierbich. On 28 Oct 1863 at the Zagreb Roman Catholic Church in Mali Lošinj, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Croatia. Tony Sforzin [Swansine] married Domenica Mattea “Matteo” Vidulich (1850-1910), daughter of Giovanni Vidulich and Mattea Ostromann. Tony brought his wife and three children to the United States through the port of New Orleans in 1887. He died shortly after their arrival and his widow married Antonio “Capt. Toney” Bunicich, in New Orleans in October 1889. Matteo Vidulich Sforzin Bunicich died on Nov 10, 1910 in New Orleans and her corporal remains were interred in the Biloxi Cemetery. The known children of Antonio and Matteo Swansine’s were: Mary Swansine (1869 –1928) m. Marco Ragusin (1858-1911); Joseph Swansine (1871-1922) m. Mary Mickletich (1876-1903); and Matilda Swansine (1877-1948) m. Victor Simonich (1862-1916).
MARY SWANSINE
Mary Swansine (1869-1928) married Marco Ragusin (1858-1911) on March 3, 1886 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Marco was a successful schooner captain in his early years and then retired from the sea and opened a saloon. During their married life the couple lived in New Orleans. In 1911 Mary lost Marco, her husband, on May 8th and her only son, Anthony Ragusin (1891-1911) on September 30th. She and her only daughter, Inez Ragusin, then moved to Biloxi and for some time lived with Mary’s widowed sister, Matilda Swansine Simonich.
Mary Swansine Ragusin died in New Orleans on November 4, 1928 and was interred with her husband and son at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 in the Crescent City.
Inez Ragusin
On September 17, 1934, Inez Ragusin, called Cuz', married Alfred A. Turcotte (1885-1948), an 1894 French Canadian immigrant, at St. Raymond's Catholic Church in NOLA. Alfred was the son of Mrs. Georgian Turcotte pf Salem, Massachusetts. Prior to this marriage, Alfred A. Turcotte had been married to Maria ? Fontami Turcotte, a 1907 French Canadian lady, who brought Irene Fontami (1919-1930+), her Massachusetts born daughter, into the marriage.(The Daily Herald, September 21, 1934, p. 7 and 1930 Norfolk Co., Massachusetts Federal Census R 932, p. 29B, ED 2)
After their wedding in the Crescent City, the Turcottes settled at Biloxi, Mississippi at 228 Thomas Street. Alfred A. Turcotte had been an employee of the Veterans Administration for nearly one year. Apparently they left Biloxi for New England before April 1942. Here Alfred A. Turcotte registered for the WWII draft in April 1942, and related that he was married to Inez Turcotte and a resident of Bellingham, Massachusetts. At this time, he was employed by the City of Bellingham. Their mailing address was RFD No. 1 Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Inez Ragusin Turcotte expired at Biloxi, Mississippi on January 8, 1993. Her corporal remains were sent to NOLA for internement in the St. Louis Cemetery. She had been clerk for Southern Bell's chief operators for thirty-three years, a member of Pioneers of America, and the N.B.V.M. Catholic Church and Altar Society.(The Sun Herald, January 10, 1993, p. A2)
JOSEPH SWANSINE MARY MICKLETICH
Joseph “Pepe” Swansine (1871-1922) was born on 23 Jan 1871 in Mali Lošinj, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Croatia. He told the story of being strapped to the mast of the ship, in a storm, on the families’ voyage to America. In 1893, at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer at Biloxi, Mississippi, he married Mary Mickletich (1876-1903), daughter of Stanislaus Mickletich and Sarah Perry. Pepe worked as a boatman as a young man and later at a local shipyard as a pipe fitter. He expired September 3, 1922 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His corporal remains were buried in the old section of the Biloxi City Cemetery. His beautiful wife, Mary, was born on March 15, 1876 in New Orleans. She died on September 14, 1903 and is buried beside her husband.
Joseph Swansine and Mary Mickletich were the parents of five children, all Biloxi natives:
Anthony J. Swansine Sr.
Anthony “Tony” Joseph Swansine Sr. (1893-1958) m. Laura Chatham (1897-1976) on December 23, 1914 in Biloxi, at the home of Judge J. W. Farish. Laura Chatham was the daughter of Aaron Andrew Chatham (1862-1914) and Susan Emma Snyder (1863-1938). She was born in Biloxi on April 19, 1897 and died March 15, 1976. Tony is buried with his wife at Southern Memorial Park cemetery at Biloxi, Mississippi. Their known children were: Elenora 'Noni' Cecile Swansine (1916-1967) m. Lawrence W. Previto Jr. (1913-1997); Evelyn Frances 'Cot' Swansine (1917-1984) m. Charles Francis Westbrook (1913-1974); Anthony Joseph 'A.J.' Swansine (1920-1990); Andrew W. 'Wilbur' Swansine (1923-2007) m. Vivian Theresa Lechner (1930-2006); and Lois Mae Swansine (1926-1989) m. Ralph M. Beaugez (1924-2015).
CHILDREN
Lois Mae Swansine
Lois Mae Swansine and Ralph M. "Buddy" Beaugez Jr.
Lois Mae Swansine (1926-1989) was born at Biloxi on 1926. She married Ralph M. Beaugez Jr. (1924-2015), a native of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on November 27, 1948 in Harrison County, Mississippi.[Harrison Co., Missisippi Circuit Court MRB 78, p. 361]
Joseph Swansine
Infant, Joseph Swansine (1896-1897), was born on October 29, 1896 and died on June 23, 1897 in Biloxi. He is buried next to his parents in the old section of Biloxi Cemetery. There is no longer a tombstone to mark his grave.(Lepre, 1991, p. 331 and The Biloxi Herald. June 26, 1897, p. 8)
Victoria Swansine
Victoria Swansine (1898-1978) was born on January 12, 1898. She died on September 11, 1978. Reverend Father Alphonse Ketels officiated at her marriage to Jacob “Jake” Joseph Kornman Sr. (1893-1967) on February 6, 1917 in Biloxi. Jacob J. Kornman was the son of Jacob J. Kornman and Josephine Aricer. Jake was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 7, 1893 and passed in Biloxi on December 15, 1967. Jake and Vicky are buried together at Southern Memorial Park Cemetery, Biloxi.(Lepre, 1991, p. 331)
Mary Ann Swansine [image courtesy of Dawna Westbrook]
Mary Ann Swansine (1900-1939) was born on December 16, 1900. She married James Albert MacDonough (1886-1953) on June 6, 1937 in Harrison County, Mississippi. James was born in Nebraska on August 20, 1886 and died at the Biloxi VA on July 20, 1953. Mary died on June 3 Jun 1939 at Biloxi. The corporal remains of James MacDonough and Mary Swansine MacDonough were interred in the 6th Addition of the Biloxi City Cemetery.(Lepre, 1991, p. 331 and Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 48, p. 24)
Olivia Bernadette Swansine
Olivia “Eva” Bernadette Swansine (1902-1968) was born on September 18, 1902. She married Dewitt Talmage Burdine (1894-1986) on 21 Nov 1920 at Biloxi, Mississippi. Dewitt was born in Fort Deposit, Alabama on August 10, 1894 and died in Biloxi on May 12, 1986. The corporal remains of Dewitt and Eva Swansine Burdine were buried in the Biloxi Cemetery. She expired at Biloxi on May 14, 1968.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 32, p. 456)
MATILDA SWANSINE [aka MATILDA BUNICICH]
Matilda Swansine (1877-1948) was born in 1877 as the third surviving child of Antonio Sforzin and Matteo Vidulich (1850-1910). Matilda married Victor Simonich (1862-1916) on September 9, 1891 at the home of her mother and step-father, Antonio “Capt. Toney” Bunicich, in Handsboro, Harrison County, Mississippi. Victor Simonich was born in Fiume, now Rijeka, Croatia on September 9, 1862. He immigrated to America arriving at New Orleans in 1881. Victor came to Biloxi circa 1897, where he became engaged as a fruit dealer and grocery merchant.(The Daily Herald, September 12, 1891, p. 1)
Victor Simonich and family resided at 407 Magnolia Street at Biloxi, Mississippi. He owned a grocery store at the corner of Howard and Delaunay Street. In November 1906 he moved the store to larger quarters on West Howard Avenue, two- doors west from Delaunay Street and in 1907 he opened a second store on Nixon Street. In 1916, Victor Simonich was granted a patent for a barrel cover which found great utility with Biloxi’s merchants. The business prospered thusly that Mr. Simonich was receiving daily orders for his invention for local utility and export. Victor apparently over extended himself and from about 1914 through 1916 he reportedly took advantage, for personal use, some of the funds belonging to the Austrian Benevolent Society for whom he was treasurer. When an accounting was demanded, he sadly committed suicide on July 3, 1916. Matilda lived until 1948. Their corporal remains were interred in the Biloxi City Cemetery.(The Daily Herald,May 17, 1916, p. 2 and July 4, 1916, p. 1)
Victor Simonich and Matilda Swansine Simonich were the parents of: ?atio Onorato Simonich (1893-1893); Louise M. Simonich (1894-1972) m. Joseph F. Uccellini (1883-1948); John Anthony Simonich (1895-1967) m. Leola Dellenger (1904-1988) and Elvina Holliman Brielmaier; Albert Edward Simonich (1897-1900); Matilda Simonich (1901-1980) m. George C. Quint (1886-1967); Victoria Simonich m. J. Randoff; Inez Irma Simonich (1906-1929) m. Elmer R. Walker; Joseph Anthony Simonich (1907-1965) m. Audrey F. Sterne (1917-1988); and Henry J. Simonich m. Hazel Turner.
REFERENCES:
Jerome Lepre, Catholic Church Records Diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi, Volume I, (Catholic Dioceses of Biloxi: Biloxi, Mississippi-1991).
Barabara Starkey, Veli Lošinj and Mali Lošinj, Croatia Marriages, 1821-1890, Ancestry.com.
JOURNALS
The Biloxi Herald, “Neighborhood Notes”, September 12, 1891.
The Biloxi Herald, “Latest City News”, June 26, 1897.
The Daily Herald, “Necrology-Mrs. Matteo Bunicich”, November 10, 1910.
The Daily Herald, “Swansine-Chatham”, December 24, 1914.
The Daily Herald, “Simonich manufacturing barrel covers”, May 17, 1916.
The Daily Herald, “Victor Simonich kills himself at home on Tuesday”, July 4, 1916.
The Daily Herald, “Kornmann-Swansine”, February 8, 1917.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi cripple [Mary Swansine] is treated”, March 29, 1920.
The Daily Herald, “Joseph Swansine dead”, September 4, 1922.
The Daily Herald, “Swansine funeral held”, September 6, 1922.
The Daily Herald, "Turcotte-Ragusin", September 21, 1934.
The Daily Herald, “A.A. Turcotte dies", April 1, 1948.
The Seattle Times, "Louise S. Uccillini', April 29, 1972, p. B-15.
The Sun Herald, “Inez 'Cuz' Turcotte”, January 10, 1993, p. A2.
The Sun Herald, “Jacob Kornman Jr.”, August 1, 1998, p. A9.
The Sun Herald, “Vivian T. Swansine”, February 20, 2006.
The Sun Herald, “Andrew 'Wilbur' Swansine”, October 2, 2007.
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