Some rather interesting history facts publish at the
Imotski Svitnjak from the book "Odjeci" by Vjeko Vrčić, prepared by Vedran Vrčić. Follow Imotski Svitnjak
here for more info from the Imotski region.
When the Turks lost their stronghold - the Imotski fortress, they withdrew towards Ljubuški and Duvno. The ones, who remained in their homes were baptised. In a letter from the Venetian authorities to Father Stjepan Vrljić is stated, that he baptised 37 Turks.
Some of them must have been baptised immediately in 1717. Those names, we do not know. But Father Šimun Gudelj made an entry to the baptism registry of Our Lady of Angels, that Father Stjepan Vrljić baptised 11 men and 12 women on February 2, 1720 and February 14, 1720. He emphasizes, that he found the names written on plain paper and in order not to lose them, he transcribed them into the registry.
This baptism was done by Father Stjepan with a permit from General Mocenigo and the Makarska bishop Bianković. Here is the list:
Rečep - received the name Marko, godfather Bariša Vukosavljević
Kurt - received the name Jere, godfather Mate Šućur
Bećir - received the name Stipe, godfather Josip Dorić
Osman - received the name Grgo, godfather Jure Mršić
Smaio - received the name Mijo, godfather Andrija Bilić
Salko - received the name Dujo, godfather Marko Udovičić
Jercoz - received the name Andrija, godfather Ivan Pisim
Omer - received the name Mate, godfather Jakov Grančić
Abdia - received the name Augustin, godfather Mate Šioić
Oman - received the name Stipe, godfather Bilopavlović
Smaio - received the name Nikola, godfather Serdar Ćosić
Sabira - received the name Katarina, godmother Iva Oluić
Sagira - received the name Kata, godmother the wife of Arambaša Jure Abaza
Sakira - received the name Petra, godmother Iva Baić
Fatima - received the name Cecilija, godmother Manda Jažić
Aisa - received the name Ruža, godmother Kata Grančić
Ismia - received the name Iva, godmother Iva Oluić
Muiba - received the name Luca, godmother Ana Šoić
Aisa - received the name Domenika, godmother Jela Udovičić
Fatima - received the name Margareta, godmother Iva Divić
Alerema - received the name Iva, godmother Marija Brdarić
Emina - received the name Marta, godmother Flora Jažić
Kizba - received the name Manda, godmother Jakovica Veić
By the surnames of the godfathers and godmothers, it is clear, which villages were the baptised Turks from. They were some from Imotski, Proložac, Vinjan, Lovreć and Studenac. When we exclude the surnames known long before as Christian, we could suspect, that the godfathers and godmothers were actually those Turks baptised in 1717. It is proved by some last names and this way the number 37 would be filled.
