Fr. Andrija Franjo Xsavier Švrljuga was born 26 November 1828 in Benkovac Fužinski #3 Primorje-Gorski, the seventh child of Bartol Švrljuga (Fužine) and Barbara Polić (Hreljin). After the birth of Andrija, the Švrljuga family moved in the early 1830s to Fužine #133. At the age of 21, Andrija moved to Senj to study theology from 1849-1853. The Theology School was a Diocesan Seminary founded by Bishop Ivan Krstitelj Ježić in 1806. Andrija successfully completed his studies and was ordained a priest 24 July 1853, most likely by Bishop Ožegović.  During his 36-year career, Fr. Andrija served as both Chaplain and Parish Priest in seven different parishes throughout the Diocese of Senj-Modruš.

At the age of 61, Fr. Andrija contracted tuberculosis and died on Holy Thursday, 17 April 1889. He was attended by his intern, as it was Holy Week, and no other priests were available to administer the Last Rites and burial in his final resting place, at the parish cemetery in Brod Moravice.  

(Source:  Personal communication Dr. Marko Medved, Head Archivist Archdiocese of Rijeka and University Professor at Faculty of Catholic Theology, Birth Record Croatia Church Books, 1516-1994, Roman Catholic (Rimokatolička) Fužine https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G99C-GK6M?i=251&wc=9RK1-DP8%3A391644801%2C391820101%2C391820301&cc=2040054,  Death Record Croatia, Church Books, 1516-1994, Roman Catholic (Rimokatolička) Brod Moravice; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G99X-5Z8W?cc=2040054&wc=9R28-4WR%3A391644801%2C391667701%2C391670001).