Discovery by Muhamet Nikqi – Buxhovi.

Abstract

This text presents a historical and genealogical document stating that the Karađorđević ruling family of Serbia had Albanian (Arbanase) ancestry, specifically linked to the Kelmendi region. Drawing on archival references (ZAL XIII/22) and testimony from Ilija Gjukanović, secretary to King Petar Karađorđević, it outlines a family tree tracing origins from Mrsha i Klimentit (1635–1697) of Kelmend through successive generations to Karađorđe and later Serbian rulers. Additional notes contrast traditional Montenegrin or Vasojević attributions with alternative accounts placing the family’s arrival in Šumadija from the Sanjak, and include a parallel lineage featuring Muslim titles. The material states that these figures oppressed Albanians despite being Albanian themselves, while noting that later descendants neither spoke Albanian nor retained clear cultural ties.

Translation:

“These people also had Arbanase (Albanian) predecessors, but they were the main bloodsuckers against the Albanians who created the Serbian state. Oppressors of the Albanians. Their descendants spoke the Skhinish language and do not know Albanian.

Translation of the text presented in the image into Albanian:
Genealogical tree of the Karađorđevićs
(According to the act ZAL XIII/22)

• MRSHA I KLIMENTIT (1635–1697)
  Born in Kelmend, bajraktar
• JOVAN MRSHA (1665–1715)
• PETAR JOVANOV (1688–1786)
  Born in Gusi
• KARAGJEORGJE (3 November 1757–1817)
• ALEKSANDAR, later prince of Serbia
• PETAR, prince, from 1903 king of Serbia
• ALEKSANDAR, king “the Unifier”

The already cited Ilija Gjukanović, secretary of Petar Karađorđević, declared to Andrija Luburić regarding the origin of the Karađorđevićs the following as well:

“The year 1916. I was at the Ejdisos spa on the island of Euboea with King Petar, and I asked him whether the origin of Karađorđe was from Montenegro or from the Vasojevićs, and he answered me: ‘The Karađorđevićs do not originate from Montenegro, and even less from the Vasojevićs. When I was in Cetinje, some people from Kelmend came to me and told me that they were from them. When Gjorgje was born, the Kelmend people fired shots in celebration. I know this for certain.’”

King Petar said that they came to Šumadija from somewhere in the Sanjak. (ZAL, same place).

According to the same source, Gjukanović presents an entirely different, but very interesting, genealogical tree of the Karađorđevićs. On the left side of that document appear Muslim names with titles, on the right side members of the Karađorđević family.

Thus:

• Father? — JOVAN
• RAMA — PETAR
• MUSTAFA AGA — VOJVODA KARAGJEORGJE
• ELEZ AGA — PRINCE ALEKSANDAR
• MEHMED AGA — KING PETAR
• HADJI AGA — KING ALEKSANDAR

Regarding the tribe of Karađorđe, Luburić also recorded this from Gjukanović:

“When Karađorđe’s father, Petar, moved away from Zhabren, he then gave the field of Petar, which was his, into use (waqf)…”

Source

Luburić, Andrija. Collection of Documents (ZAL XIII/22). Archival materials including testimony of Ilija Gjukanović, secretary to King Petar Karađorđević, and related genealogical notes on the Karađorđević family origins. State Archives of Yugoslavia / Serbian Archive, ca. 1916–1935.