House of Boshko
Encyclopedia
The House of Bošković are families that settled in Dubrovnik
between 15th and 18th century.
after the Turkish conquest of Bosnia
in the 15th century. Another Bošković family settled in the city at the end of the 18th century, coming from the village of Orahov Do
in the neighbouring Herzegovina
. Although this Bošković family never rose to become city nobility, many of its members excelled in arts and sciences, most notably Ruđer Bošković, a well-known physicist. The first member of this family to settle in Ragusa was Ruđer's father, Nikola Bošković
.
This Bošković family spreads from Orahov Do
in Popovo Polje in western Herzegovina
. Today this the family is split into branches wearing different last names though some retain last name Bošković, mostly Roman Catholics though there are branches which are Muslim
or Serb Orthodox. Some Croatian historians have claimed that Rudjer's grandfather's name was possibly Boško and that his family took the last name after him. However, his grandfather's name was actually Matijaš (Matija) which could be seen from marital permission which he gave to Rudjer's father Nikola meaning Bošković's had that name before, as could additionally be concluded by the fact that most Bošković's, who have moved from Popovo to surroundings of Stoce, Čapljina
and Mostar
, have the same last name.
Other, mostly with clerical background held view that Bošković's had that last name before settling in Orahov Do, but have claimed that they moved there from Dubrave
near Stoce, and ultimately from western Bosnia
; this is family tradition of Kristić's, who are descendants of Bošković's who still live in Orahov Do. However, Bošković's who live near Stoce themselves have family tradition that they moved from Popovo to Hutovo and then to Dubrave. Bošković's who live around Mostar and Čapljina also have family tradition according to which they settled there from Popovo. All three branches, also, claim that they have settled to Popovo from northern Montenegro
and are proud of their Montenegrin origins
. This is further strengthened by tradition recorded in Rovci in Montenegro according to which a part of their kinsmen have moved from Rovci and settled in western Herzegovina in period consistent with tradition of Bošković's. Patriarch of the family would then be Boško Stanišin Šćepanović from Rovci in Montenegro
, most likely Ruđer's great-great-grandfather. This is also strengthened by the fact that the village Crnići, where Bošković's are the most numerous was also sometimes called Nikšić
and that the family of Rudjer Bošković themselves claimed their common ancestor took the last name after his father.
The members of this other Bošković family who lived in Dubrovnik have also later themselves claimed they originate from a noble family Pokrajčić. Though this is sometimes accepted even today, it might be that they undertook this so they could elevate their social status (the family was pejoratively called "Vlachs
"), although we cannot cofirm, the two families were indeed possibly related. Bošković's maybe gained nobility
on April 15, 1718, though it is possible that this is again a reference to the first Bošković family.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
between 15th and 18th century.
History
One of the families migrated into the Republic of RagusaRepublic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa or Republic of Dubrovnik was a maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia , that existed from 1358 to 1808...
after the Turkish conquest of Bosnia
History of Bosnia and Herzegovina
-Pre-Slavic Period :Bosnia has been inhabited at least since Neolithic times. In the late Bronze Age, the Neolithic population was replaced by more warlike Indo-European tribes known as the Illyrians. Celtic migrations in the 4th and 3rd century BCE displaced many Illyrian tribes from their former...
in the 15th century. Another Bošković family settled in the city at the end of the 18th century, coming from the village of Orahov Do
Orahov Do
Orahov Do is a village in Ravno municipality Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is only a few kilometers away from the border with Croatia on the road from the Adriatic coast to Popovo polje. Village is inhabited by Catholic Croats. In 1991...
in the neighbouring Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
. Although this Bošković family never rose to become city nobility, many of its members excelled in arts and sciences, most notably Ruđer Bošković, a well-known physicist. The first member of this family to settle in Ragusa was Ruđer's father, Nikola Bošković
Nikola Boškovic
Nikola Bošković was a trader for the Republic of Ragusa as a in the service of Rad Getaldić, who then dispatched him to Novi Pazar in Sandžak, Ottoman Empire to learn from the local traders. Bošković returned to Ragusa as a very wealthy man.He was born in Orahov Do, near Popovo polje, present-day...
.
This Bošković family spreads from Orahov Do
Orahov Do
Orahov Do is a village in Ravno municipality Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is only a few kilometers away from the border with Croatia on the road from the Adriatic coast to Popovo polje. Village is inhabited by Catholic Croats. In 1991...
in Popovo Polje in western Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
. Today this the family is split into branches wearing different last names though some retain last name Bošković, mostly Roman Catholics though there are branches which are Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
or Serb Orthodox. Some Croatian historians have claimed that Rudjer's grandfather's name was possibly Boško and that his family took the last name after him. However, his grandfather's name was actually Matijaš (Matija) which could be seen from marital permission which he gave to Rudjer's father Nikola meaning Bošković's had that name before, as could additionally be concluded by the fact that most Bošković's, who have moved from Popovo to surroundings of Stoce, Čapljina
Capljina
Čapljina is a town and municipality of the same name in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Čapljina is located on the border with Croatia a mere from the Adriatic Sea....
and Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
, have the same last name.
Other, mostly with clerical background held view that Bošković's had that last name before settling in Orahov Do, but have claimed that they moved there from Dubrave
Dubrave
Dubrave may refer to:Bosnia and Herzegovina*Dubrave, Mostar, village close to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina*Dubrave, Brčko, village close to Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina*Dubrave, Bosanska Gradiška*Dubrave, Glamoč*Dubrave, Jajce*Dubrave, Kiseljak...
near Stoce, and ultimately from western Bosnia
Bosnia (region)
Bosnia is a eponomous region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It lies mainly in the Dinaric Alps, ranging to the southern borders of the Pannonian plain, with the rivers Sava and Drina marking its northern and eastern borders. The other eponomous region, the southern, other half of the country is...
; this is family tradition of Kristić's, who are descendants of Bošković's who still live in Orahov Do. However, Bošković's who live near Stoce themselves have family tradition that they moved from Popovo to Hutovo and then to Dubrave. Bošković's who live around Mostar and Čapljina also have family tradition according to which they settled there from Popovo. All three branches, also, claim that they have settled to Popovo from northern Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
and are proud of their Montenegrin origins
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
. This is further strengthened by tradition recorded in Rovci in Montenegro according to which a part of their kinsmen have moved from Rovci and settled in western Herzegovina in period consistent with tradition of Bošković's. Patriarch of the family would then be Boško Stanišin Šćepanović from Rovci in Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, most likely Ruđer's great-great-grandfather. This is also strengthened by the fact that the village Crnići, where Bošković's are the most numerous was also sometimes called Nikšić
Nikšić
Nikšić is a city in Montenegro . In 2003 the city had a total population about 75,000.Nikšić is located in Nikšić plain, at the foot of Mount Trebjesa. It is the center of the municipality , which is the largest in Montenegro by area...
and that the family of Rudjer Bošković themselves claimed their common ancestor took the last name after his father.
The members of this other Bošković family who lived in Dubrovnik have also later themselves claimed they originate from a noble family Pokrajčić. Though this is sometimes accepted even today, it might be that they undertook this so they could elevate their social status (the family was pejoratively called "Vlachs
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
"), although we cannot cofirm, the two families were indeed possibly related. Bošković's maybe gained nobility
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
on April 15, 1718, though it is possible that this is again a reference to the first Bošković family.
General references
- Željko Marković, "Ruđe Bošković", Jugoslavenska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti, 1968-1969., Zagreb, 1968-69.
- Marijan Sivrić, Nenad Vekarić, "A Genealogical Presentation of the Bošković Family", Proceedings of the International Symposium on Ruđer Bošković, Dubrovnik, 5-7 October 1987; Jugoslavenska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti, Zagreb, 1991.
- http://www.arhimed.rs.ba/lica/biography/boskovic/zoran.htmOf the ethnicity of Rudjer Boskovic in SerbianSerbian languageSerbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
], made by "Archimedes" scientific club - Justin V. Velnić, "Ancestry of Ruđer Bošković", Proceedings of the International Symposium on Ruđer Bošković, Dubrovnik, 5-7 October 1987; Jugoslavenska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti, Zagreb, 1991.
- Development of Astronomy among Serbs volume II, Publication of the Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade, Belgrade, 2002