Bjeletich Family History

The name Bjeletich is the Americanized version of Bjeletić. All Bjeletichs come from one big familly. They emmigrated from the mountain villages of Bileca and Trebjesa in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro before the breakup of Yugoslavia.The earliest known  Bjeletić was Petar  Bjeletić (1669), who started the  Bjeletići tribe from which all  Bjeletich people come. Bjeletch/Bjeletić  means "white one" in Montenegrin and is said to be given to the family because there is a tendency for family members to turn white at an early age.  There is much more about the family to learn below but there is more that can be added as well.  If you know more about the Bjeletich family, please help by adding your knowledge to this page.

Petar (1669) was the original person to have the  Bjeletić name and start the Bratstvo. He had 7 sons in the mountains, his Father was one of the Rovcani Tribe or pleme members so Bjeletich's are originally from the ancestral Rovcani Tribe and most recently the Oputne Rudine tribe.

The Bjeletic/hs, among other Montenegrin tribes, fought many wars in order to never be taken over by a foreign empire and remain free. They suceeded in defeating the Ottomans from taking over Montenegro during their rule of Europe in the 16th century. They also fought the Nazis and Ustaše in 1942 when they tried to take over. Sadly, many Bjeletic have died at the hands of the Nazis and Ustaše (and Ottomans as well as Partisans) as a result. There is a small memorial in the mountains of Bosnia and Herezogovinia and a poem about the Bjeletic's fight against the Ottoman soldiers to remember them. To this day the mountainous regions of Montenegro have never been occupied by another nation.

The Bjeletics, as well as many others from the region, practiced arranged marriages. Many couples met on their wedding day. Women married very young, typically 16-18 years old. When women married, it was customary for them to immediately move in with their husband's family - often a very large family in a one room house with no walls. In the first months of marriage it was also customary for the bride to share a bed with her sister in law, not her husband.

It is said that Velje Duboko, Montenegro was the original location of the first Bjeletic. Not much is known about where they came before that.

Bjeletich means "white one" and "son of" in the ancient Montenegrin language because Bjeletich people develope gray hair very early on in age. Some Bjeletichs to this day get gray hair as early as 15 years old.

Interesting people in the Bjeletich family:

• Andja Bjeletich, who turned 100 years old in 2003 and died at 105. To read about her life, follow this link:  http://mytown.mercurynews.com/archives/cupertinocourier/11.07.01/cover-0145.html
• Vladimir Bjeletic, pro Basketball player
• Vidak Bjeletic, a minister of Montenegro

The ethnicity and nationality of Bjeletich is Serbian and Montenegrin. Most are Orthodox in religion.

• Saint Luka is the Bjeletich's Patron Saint.
• All people with the surname Bjeletichs and Bjeletic come from the same ancestor (unless married into the name of course) and are all related.
• Baba Andja Bjeletich was the oldest Montenegrin to ever live in America. She passed away at 105 years of age.
• Bjeletichs come from an area in Montenegro which has the tallest people in Europe. Many Bjeletichs are very tall.
• Bjeletichs tend to live a very long time. It is very common for a female or male Bjeletich to live up to 100!
• *Historicaly, Bjeletics are known to be very open, outspoken, people without deceit and malice.They are characteristicaly Agile, clever, and resourceful.
• *As neighbours, relatives, and friends they are very community oriented and helpful in times of trouble. Amongst their own blood realtives, they are always respectful and get along with each other: "All for one, one for all".
• *Bjeletićs are known for prodigality and being good hosts. They are not prone to theft or lies. They are not quarrelsome, but when insulted or challenged they do not forgive easily. The men tend to be very sensitive.
• *Physically their characteristics are usually bony and strong. Skin is usually slightly dark and eye and hair color dark brown, rarely blue. Their face is usually long and serious without excessive laughter
• *Tears flow easily when the time calls for it, whether it be for happiness or sorrow, as they are often very emotional.
• *Bjeletićs love to socialize and talk. However, they can be very stubborn, self-confident, and unyielding. And when giving directions, they should be removed from the road. 
• *They are very honest and fair, but if they are strong willed and blunt it is said "to have come to him by heritage through his mother".

*Translated from the Bjeletić book by Milivoje A. Bjeletic

Bjeletich is the naturalized version of Bjeletić. When the first Bjeletich's moved to America (or elsewhere),  they added the "H" to make a "sh" sound in English which is a word more easily pronounced by English speakers. The name Bjeletich is fairly new and only appeared sometime in the 1920's, with some people having to transition from Bjeletić to Bjeletich.