Discovering Unexpected Ancestral Lineage through iGENEA: A Personal Odyssey
Family name Bridges
Embarking on a journey with iGENEA to probe into my ancestral lineage has been transformative. The revelation of my family, the Bridges, having a rich Scandinavian heritage, contrary to my lifelong belief of an English ancestry, has significantly reshaped my self-understanding and sense of identity.
Wanting to know the origin of the Bridges lineage, I embarked on a fascinating journey with iGENEA. The DNA test results shocked me and reshaped my knowledge about the ancestral lineage of my family name, Bridges.
Initially, I held an understanding of our lineage being purely English - hence, our unwavering obsession with afternoon tea and a love for cricket! However, the first eye-opening revelation from incisive iGENEA genetic testing was that the Bridges bloodline actually has strong Scandinavian origins. Uncoverings like these have tremendous implications on one's identity - it was like discovering a hidden part of myself.
Surprisingly, the DNA analysis also incorporated interesting historical contexts that added an intriguing depth to these revelations. It suggested most likely, 'Bridges' were once Viking explorers who traveled to the British Isles, integrating with the local population. Imagine my surprise to discover my ancestors were formidable Norsemen, instead of quaint English gentry!
This startling revelation about my ancestors not relating directly to the geographical locations commonly linked with our surname has opened an entirely new perspective. It felt like a redefinition of my identity - I found myself vigorously reading up Scandinavian history, exploring their culture and customs, thoroughly intrigued.
This discovery also shifted my sense of belonging. Suddenly, places like Norway and Sweden held a sense of home - as if I had discovered a missing piece of a puzzle. A fascinating element was discovering existent distant relatives in Sweden, opening windows to establishing connections with newfound kins.
Finally, as the iGENEA test revealed about the migratory patterns of Bridges line, it made me reevaluate our family tradition and customs in the light of this new information. Were they influenced by Scandinavian customs? The exploration inspired a new understanding and internalization of my identity - a blend of English and Scandinavian elements, tracing back to powerful Viking ancestors.
This experience of unearthing the bridges (pun intended!) between past and present through iGENEA has been enlightening. Now, I don't just see myself as a descendant of the Bridges family, but a unique fusion of colorful cultures and rich histories, all woven into my DNA.
J. Bridges