Joseph's Family Crest
documentation and a copy of my letter sent to
The Commission for Nobility and Titles
for authentication, and an official response further below
with
family archive pictures/history
Family History: Austrian Monarchy Bloodline of Nobility and Knighthood
Life continues to be deliciously interesting!
On October 08th, 2005 I had an estranged aunt come to see me with a book she was given by a clergyman from the church archives in the Croatian village of Zagorje some years back. The book contains a historical account of over 400 years of my family’s lineage and direct family history, including our clan’s historic battle at the Castle Gradjena against the Turks in the Battle of Ostrosca in 1693.
The documentation and pictures in the book show that our family was honoured with a second Knighthood by Empress Maria Teresia of Austria (Charles VI’s daughter) in 1746 and granted lands by the monarch outside of Ogulina in Viroviticki. The first family Knighthood was conferred by King Leopold 1 after the 1693 Battle of Ostrosca. It all sounds very exciting... until my aunt shows me a picture in the book of my great uncle (my mom’s mother’s brother) of the Szallopek family (my grandmother’s maiden name) and the family crest commissioned by the Empress for the Szallopek family/clan.
I was pleasantly shocked! So I did a little more research into all this, and discovered that a descendant in the Knighthood bloodline is able to rightfully claim the family crest and entitlements. Now it gets even more interesting... after talking to my remaining elder family members each additionally confirms that grandpa was called ‘Duce’ in Croatian (pronounced ‘ducheah’ with a soft c) and was very, very proud of this... as children they thought it were teasing calling him by this title, but this actually translates into Duke, of the conferred family title of Szallopek (our great, great Grandpa). The Empress Maria Teresia was also called the Archduchess of Austria.
It is well known in our clan in the old country and rumoured for many years about the Empress’ brief affair with one of her Knights - my great, great, great grandpa. Because that was an unheard of taboo for royalty, upon birth the child was placed in the Szallopek village with his father to be raised lovingly (without shame) with the original Szallopek family, and also that his mother, The Empress could visit her child. The Empress did marry Duke Francis of Lorraine creating the Lorraine dynasty, creating the house of Habsburg-Lorraine. Their daughter was Marie Antoinette.
Okay, now it gets crazy, and if I did not have the genealogical and historical documentation there would be no sense in confiding the next part to you... The Empress is part of the Habsburg empire whose bloodline in the historical texts is considered a direct descendent from Jesus of Nazareth. If this is true, then this means that I am one of, and in the direct blood lineages of Jesus. Is it really true? God only knows... I do not know, all I can truthfully say is that the documentation I have on the family nobility/heraldry has been confirmed as granted by The Empress Maria Teresia herself to the Szallopek family in 1746, at their village. This naturally makes for a very, very interesting and fun family history. I still believe that a title of nobility or knighthood is worthless unless one upholds and also honours, lives and acts the codes that these customs are meant to be based on. Personally, to me the Code is exclusively about decency, integrity and Love.
Yours in Love,
Genuinely, Sir Joseph (ha ha)
From: contract@nobility-royalty.com
Subject: Re: A request form was submitted
Date: October 10, 2005 9:53:28 AM PDT
To: genuinelyjoseph@islandnet.com
Dear Joseph,
We don't deal with heraldry. In Germany and therefore perhaps in the Austrian
Empire, a coat of arms was by family rather than by individual, so it is
conceivable if you can prove your salic or father to son genealogical line to
the knightly or perhaps ducal family, then you might be able to legitimately
use the coat of arms.
In regard to the title, there is a lot of work to be done. Succession rules
must be discovered, or if unavailable, use general Imperial rules. History
must prove that such a title existed, and genealogical research must prove at
least to the clear and convincing level that you are a true descendant. If all
proves positive, we can certify you, but this all takes a lot of time and
careful research. From what you have written, without substantiation, it looks
like someone, perhaps a distant relative of your family might be the de jure
duke or head of the family, but all others might still be eligible for the
title. All of this would have to be unraveled and proven to ensure that none
of this is merely a family fairy tale--not an uncommon experience.
The first step would be to gather all your information and make copies, send
them to us, with the payment of fees, and we can begin the process.
As to being a descendant of Jesus Christ, it is not crazy, only unproven and
unfortunately unprovable at this point in time. Also, the idea of a male child
being born out of wedlock to an Empress and adopted into your family, since
this kind of thing would be hidden and unmentionable in those days, might also
be impossible to prove.
If you have any questions, please feel welcome to inquire. Our process is
careful and meticulous as we owe it to the whole earth to be accurate and
thorough.
Sincerely yours, Peter Harradine
“I am not interested in a spiritual wasteland that does not include Love.”
~joseph borkovic, Sept. 22, 2005 9:25 am
