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Post by aussieguy on Apr 26, 2013 13:17:41 GMT 1
My family are Danube Swabians (German decent)and lived near Osijek Croatia since the 1800's until WW2 when both my grandparents were forced out and moved to Australia. I recently acquired their birth certificates from the local Osijek government and Im trying to see if I can apply for citizenship through my family.
Apparently (according to the embassy over the phone), that because my grandmothers birth certificate doesn't say the words "Croatian citizen", it doesnt make her Croatian. So if she and many generations before were born in Croatia, but not Croatian, what nationality is she?
Has anyone been in a similar situation or can shed some light on this problem?
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Post by Carol on Apr 26, 2013 13:36:37 GMT 1
I don't know the answer to your question - sorry. Maybe Yugoslav?? But it doesn't sound like your family were well treated by Croatia and you indicate no other connection with it yourself, so why would you want Croatian citizenship? Just curious as to what might be the attraction.
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Post by aussieguy on Apr 27, 2013 0:07:44 GMT 1
I don't know the answer to your question - sorry. Maybe Yugoslav?? But it doesn't sound like your family were well treated by Croatia and you indicate no other connection with it yourself, so why would you want Croatian citizenship? Just curious as to what might be the attraction. No my family weren't treated well, but that's the case for most minority groups in WW2. I went to Croatia last year and spent 3 months in Osijek (spent a year in the region). I actually loved it and have a great network of friends there now. You're right about Yugoslav, but what nationality is Yugoslav these days? You think a Yugoslav born in the Croatian part of Yugoslavia is Croatian. I then wonder if Croatia doesnt accept my ancestry then would another ex Yugoslav state like Serbia accept it?
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Post by Ribaric on Apr 27, 2013 11:04:25 GMT 1
Hi Aussieguy, I have a close friend who's situation was very similar to yours. He also was given the run around and felt he was being pushed into becoming catlick and having to prove he wasn't Serb. He hired a lawyer who went to the relevant office (in Slavonski Brod in this case) and said - to the effect...
Here is proof my client's grandparents were born in (what is now) Croatia. Here is proof that he is their grandson. He doesn't have to be catholic, he doesn't have to "ethnic" (whatever that's supposed to mean) Croat, he has the right to have Croatian citizenship. If you disagree I will charge you personally in the European courts with discrimination on any of several grounds you are currently giving me".
End of problem, at least formally. Of course, the problem still exists that so many sluzbeni just want to make your life difficult, whoever you are, or they have a hidden agenda to keep out anyone who may not be "one of us".
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Post by prkbrk on Apr 27, 2013 11:20:48 GMT 1
Each case is individual I guess. My other half gained her citizenship through grandfather/mother route with relative ease (within a couple of months of applying), and the 'issue' about religion was never even part of the equation (and she does not 'kick with the left foot' aka being RC ). I think they may have just assumed she was RC. On a side note it always amuses me at the raised eyebrows when I apply for my annual visa(should be the last one this year), when our marriage certificate translation lists my father's occupation as 'priest'
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skyblue
Junior Member
[M0:0]
Posts: 21
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Post by skyblue on Apr 29, 2013 12:31:27 GMT 1
Aussieguy - about 10 years ago I worked with a woman of German descent whose German grandparents lived in Ukraine before WW2, and by proving she was of German descent she was able to acquire German citizenship. Not sure if this 'blood line' rule is still legit in Germany, but it might be worth trying the German consulate...in any case, a German passport is far more handy than a Croat one.
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Post by aussieguy on Apr 29, 2013 16:22:30 GMT 1
Thanks for all your replies. I would apply for my German citizenship but its too hard to prove anything without paperwork. My family lived in and around osijek Croatia since sometime in the 1800's. Obviously my family were conscripted into the German army in WW2. All possessions and land were stripped from danube swabians during the war. Apparently I can apply to reimbursed, but I rather move on from the past.
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Post by inperception on Nov 12, 2016 10:39:42 GMT 1
Hi, yes I have similar background, my grandparents were ethnic Danube Swabians who lived in Hrastovac since the early 1800s. They considered themselves Yugoslav when they arrived in Australia in early 1950s. To 'aussieguy' have you been able to obtain your Croatian citizenship as I am interested in obtaining myself?
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Post by flower on Sept 18, 2018 16:14:04 GMT 1
Hi there, I am also interested for the chance to ask for Croatian citizenship although now it might be more difficult because Croatia is EU member...My grandparents also lived in Croatia. Anything new any useful experience? Anyone that might help with a lawyer? Thanks
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