Community & Business
18 June, 2022
Mareeba community helps Albanian granddaughter
PLEA from an Albania woman trying to find the grave of her grandfather has been answered by the Mareeba community.
The granddaughter of Xhemal Isuf reached out across the world seeking help and answers on the possible location of her grandfather’s grave who was buried on 10 March 1946 within the confines of the Mareeba Pioneer Cemetery.
Skënderije (Kodrasi) Mullahi contacted the “Mareeba History” Facebook page trying to locate the grave of Mr Isuf. Skenderije wrote: “When my grandfather died he was alone because in that time we were under the communist regime and we could not leave Albania.
“One of his friends whose name was Kamber Ahmet brought us my grandfather's death certificate which I still keep to remember him. It would be a great comfort for me to find my grandfather's grave. I hope you will help me. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.”
Research revealed Xhemal Isuf was born in Plovesht, in the province of Korcha, in the country of Albania and had been a resident of Australia for 10 years.
At the time of his passing, he was residing near Mareeba having been naturalised on 4 November 1941 in Mareeba, and sadly passing away in early March 1946.
With the added help of Melody Musumeci, Dita Carusi, Nasem and Patricia Tahir attended the Mareeba Pioneer Cemetery, inspecting the graves in an attempt to locate the man’s resting place.
Help also came from Remzi Mulla and Luke Rains, but it was “sheer luck” when Nasem Tahir located the Steel Plot Tag Numbered C314 and the group was able to piece together, with the help of Luke's research and guidance, the location of the unmarked grave.
The C314 plot number was the allocated grave for Xhemal Isuf who was buried on 10 March 1946.
The information was collated, photographs were taken and then all sent back to Albania to ensure his granddaughter was able to rest that she had finally located her grandfather’s final resting place.
Upon receiving the details, Skenderije responded with many thanks to the group: “Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful news that you gave me.
“Thank you for the work done, and the flowers you placed on his unmarked grave and helping me to find my grandfather Xhemal Isuf Kodrasi (Gora) final resting place.
Thank you all for the help you are giving me and God bless you!” The “Mareeba History” Facebook page has attracted some 6765 members who contribute many memories, photos and stories of their lives and times of our town’s history.
Great positive steps like this help keep community together, working and volunteering is something that made granddaughter Skenderije very appreciative of the efforts of so many Mareeba residents solving her questions.
Michael Musumeci
