Angie And We Go To Sea.... Seaport That Is!

Did You Know? - In 1930 when I started kindergarten at St. Teresa's School in San Francisco, not only did I not know how to speak English at age 5, but there was a controversy regarding my first name.

At birth I was given my Croatian paternal grandmother's Croatian name, Anga.

It was not accepted by the Sisters, there was no St. Anga and in a Catholic school your name had to match a patron saint so you could celebrate your "Feast Day."

It was a more important celebration than your birthday.

The Sisters took it upon themselves to name me Angelina and my Feast Day would be the Feast of the Angels.

Much to my dad's dismay, the Sisters stood their ground and kept calling me Angelina.

Daddy would constantly remind me and the Sisters that my name was Anga, named for his mom, not Angelina.

Yet, I continued going by the name Angelina.

By the time I started high school, I was Angelina Frances, selecting Frances when I made my confirmation at age 12. Frances was my confirmation godmother's name.

I also liked the name and it was a name I chose. There was a St. Frances, so the was no problem regarding my choice.

When I got married, I not only had a new last name, but I was also a Navy spouse that would be living in many states and possibly overseas for the next 20 years.

It was time to get a certified copy of my birth certificate. I went to City Hall in San Francisco to get a copy.

The clerk disappeared to get my copy and was gone the longest time. The information I gave her was that my name was Anga Bosnich, the year I was born and that my parents, Peter and Kate Bosnich, lived on 215 Texas St.

After some time she came back with a certificate stating that all she could find was a "No name Bosnich" and the address of 215 Tessie Street.

I told her. "That's me." My mom with her Croatian accent could never say Texas, it was always Tessie Street.

The clerk looked at me and said, "For two dollars what do you want me to write in here."

My reply was, Angelina Frances. Daddy was right, my name was not Angelina, but then it wasn't Anga either, I was No name Bosnich at age 20. I legally became Angelina Frances.

Out of no name it is amazing how many variations of names I have had from Anga.

I am called Anga, (as in AH) and Engee by the Croatians. I also answer to Angela, Ang, Angel, Angie.

When living in the South I was known as Miss Angelee or Miss Angeline.

I am mostly called Angie, but answer to all of the above names with a happy face.

Did You Know? - Seatrade manages a fleet of around 100 specialised reefer vessels.?