Speaker: (Mr.) Staša Cvetković

Areas of focus or expertise:

  • My primary focus is family history research for all ethnicities and religions in the territories of the former Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Romania, with a particular emphasis on the genealogy of the Danube Swabians in all regions where they lived (Banat, Batschka, Syrmien, Schwäbische Türkei, Sathmar etc.).
  • I also research migration patterns in these areas, as well as the history of private life from the time of the Ottoman occupation until the end of World War II.

Email contact: synergia@gmail.com

Web/social media: https://synergia.rs/

Home: Serbia, Province of Vojvodina, Novi Sad

Native language: Serbian

Presentation language(s): English

Preferred presentation type: virtual and in-person

Travel preferences: anywhere

Biography

I was born in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1967, and I have been living in Novi Sad, Bačka, for the past 35 years. I hold a degree in literature. For several years, I worked in a private company as a translator and a specialist responsible for gathering documentation for the registration of chemical products. In 2004, I turned my hobby into a business and founded my genealogy agency, “Synergia.”

From the very beginning, most of our cases involved researching the origins of ethnic Germans in Eastern Europe (known as the Donauschwaben). However, over time, genealogy has become popular among various ethnic groups in the region. The vast majority of my clients come from the USA and Canada. We are also actively involved in guiding individuals and groups to places where their ancestors lived (ancestral or roots tourism).

I have presented at genealogy conferences in Mt. Angel, Oregon, and St. Paul, Minnesota, and have conducted numerous webinars. Additionally, I have organized workshops on earth architecture and traditional cuisine. I’ve also collaborated on gathering material for several family book (Familienbücher or Ortsippenbücher) projects. Currently, my partner from the USA and I are working on a family book for the Roman Catholic parish of Ruma in Srem (Syrmia).

Our activities cover the entire territory of the former Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Romania.

In which societies are you a member? Serbian Genealogy Society

Speaking experience/references

GERMANIC GENEALOGY SOCIETY, USA 2021
Live Webinar, Title: Sauerkraut & Paprika: Finding Your Germanic Roots In Danube

ROMANIAN GENEALOGY SOCIETY SEMINAR (Donauschwaben genealogy) – St. Paul, MN 2017

Topics covered:

  • Civil records repositories and access to the records which are protected by privacy protection laws
  • Use of land survey records in genealogy
  • Closing of the remaining gaps related to the parish records in the region
  • Private life of Banaters in 18th, 19th and the first half of 20th century with a spotlight on Banat earth architecture, regional cuisine, transportation, and other subjects

ROMANIAN GENEALOGY SOCIETY SEMINAR (Romanian genealogy) – St. Paul, MN 2017

Topics covered:

  • Basic considerations for beginners in Romanian genealogy
  • Repositories of civil (government) records in Romania and Serbia, including access to records protected by privacy laws (typically 100 years)
  • Church parish records in the region, detailing the information they contain and methods for obtaining them
  • Insights into the private lives of Banaters during the 18th, 19th, and the first half of the 20th century, with a focus on Banat earth architecture, regional cuisine, transportation, and other related subjects

Mt. ANGEL DANUBE SWABIAN CONFERENCE 2014

Recording of previous presentation OR an IGGP partner you have presented for: Germanic Genealogy Society, USA, 2021. (Contact Mrs. Gail Blankenau for the reference).

Payment/expense arrangements

How do you approach payment for making a presentation? I am willing to negotiate a speaking fee with clients

Other expenses you would like to have reimbursed if you travel? I request reimbursement for travel and accommodation expenses (budget accommodation). I am also open to staying with members of the organizer’s association, when applicable.

Recordings/additional materials

Are you willing to prepare a handout? Yes

Would you be willing to develop a presentation on another topic? Yes

Do you have any restrictions on recording, re-use of recordings, handouts, etc? No

Are you willing to have the presentation translated or translate it yourself? I translate it myself

Presentation topics
  • “Some Less Frequently Used Sources in Danube Swabian Genealogical Studies,” English language, level: intermediate
  • “Use of Cadastral Records in Genealogy,” live audience, level: lower intermediate
  • “Private Life of Banat Residents,” level: lower intermediate
  • “Civil Registers in Serbia and Romania: How to Close Research Gaps,” level: lower intermediate
  • “History of Banat Colonization,” level: beginner
  • “History of Medicine in Vojvodina,” level: lower intermediate
  • “The Cadastral System in the Hungarian Kingdom,” level: intermediate
  • “History of Banat and Its Ethnic Groups,” level: beginner
  • “Using Cadastral Records for Genealogy Research in Banat,” level: lower intermediate
  • “Civil Records Repositories: Access, Privacy Laws, and Vital Records Review,” level: lower intermediate
  • “Romanian Genealogy for Beginners: Techniques, Obstacles, and Record Access,” level: beginner
  • “Earthen Architecture of Banat,” level: beginner
  • “History of Donauschwaben Cuisine,” level: beginner