Discovering History and Identity: My Genealogical Journey with iGENEA and the Buhl Surname
Family name Buhl
Unearthed through the iGENEA DNA Test, my journey into my family name- Buhl was full of discoveries. From learning about its 13th century origin in South Western Germany, to tracing potential migrations and uncovering our likely profession as vineyard owners, my understanding of our family history has greatly deepened.
My experience with iGENEA was a monumental step on a life-altering journey that allowed me to uncover the deep-rooted history of my family's name- Buhl. Even as someone with relatively profound fascination and respect for genealogy, I couldn't predict the incredible depth and breadth of information this DNA testing platform would offer me.
Upon receiving my iGENEA DNA Test Kit, I was struck by its straightforward nature, and was glad to find the process easy to follow. Having extracted my DNA sample, I dispatched it back to the iGENEA laboratory and sat in anticipation, waiting for the revelations to pour in.
As my results arrived, I was awestruck by the richness and accuracy of the information. The Buhl name, it revealed, had a strong Germanic origin, primarily circulating around the South Western region of Germany. But it was not this specificity that startled me. Rather, it was the realisation of the ancient depth of the name, as the test confirmed its existence as far back as the 13th century.
Diving deeper, I learned that Buhl was a toponymic surname, associating my ancestors with the town of Buhl in Alsace, which probably served as their residence. So not only did I discover an unexpected geographical link with this small town in France, but I also uncovered a probable pattern of migration from Southwestern Germany to Alsace.
The more I delved into the findings, the more comprehensible became the story of the Buhl line. I learnt about the societal standings and professional occupations my forefathers likely held, which, in many cases, were vineyard owners. This discovery led me to encounter a fascinating aspect of my family's history – their potential involvement in wine-making!
Equipped with information from iGENEA, the chapters of my ancestors’ lives were starting to unfold. The Buhl name, no longer just a surname, became a narrative, full of triumphs and tribulations, love and longing, journeys and destinations. This was an era-by-era revelation, a legacy that went beyond just me and materialized into the lives of people who gave me my identity.
Using iGENEA, a veil was lifted, a past unearthed, connections were made and a lineage honoured. In the process of discovering my genealogy, I discovered parts of myself I didn't know were lost and formed a deeper bond with my family name of Buhl. I now wear it with an added sense of pride and reverence, fully aware of its origin, influence, and history.
V. Buhl