iGENEA Test: A Reimagining of My Ancestry and Self-Understanding
Family name Fields
iGENEA has provided me the doorway into my ancestry, especially my maternal line, the Fields. The rich tapestry of European, African, Asian, and surprisingly, Jewish heritage disrupts traditional family lore, drastically shaping my understanding of my identity.
Before journeying into the revolutionary world of DNA testing through iGENEA, my knowledge of my ancestry, especially the Fields, was piecemeal, to say the least. A tale rooted in folklore, anecdotal retellings, and tattered keepsakes. I had always known that my grandmother's maiden name was Fields, but much of her family's past was veil-wrapped in mystery. Through iGENEA, I've been afforded an unambiguous and unequivocal perspective on my past that has drastically reset my understanding of who I am and where I originate.
The revelation began with the unveiling of my maternal haplogroup, confirming my roots extend back to the indigenous inhabitants of Europe. I am, unequivocally, a child of the old continent. Surprisingly, African and Asian ancestries did shimmer through my genetic tapestry, adding an appealing diversity I had not anticipated. Turning my attention to the Fields lineage, the iGENEA test painted a profoundly intriguing portrait.
The Fields were not English settlers in America, as family lore had suggested, but rather of Irish descent. My ancestors, it appears, did not disembark on Plymouth, but rather set foot in America escaping the Great Irish Famine in the mid-19th century. This revelation realigned my perception of their experiences, struggles, and fortitude. They were not adventurers on a new frontier, but survivors seeking refuge from a homeland ripped apart by devastation. I no longer stand on the romanticized understanding of my forebears, but a much more grounded, poignant, and authentically human narrative.
Far more surprising, however, was the resilient strain of Jewish heritage coursing through my Field bloodline. The test elucidated a Sephardic Jewish ancestry. Tracing the thread back, it seems likely that my ancestors were among those expelled from Spain in the late 15th century. Understanding this fundamentally shifted my perception of who I am, bestowing an undercurrent of resilience and courage bestowed by centuries of perseverance and survival against all odds.
In essence, iGENEA has recalibrated my self-understanding. I am a composite, not just of genes but of histories - some beautiful, others heartbreaking. But all inextricably linked to the tapestry that is me. Each revelation has stirred a compelling desire to understand and connect with these diverse cultures that blend harmoniously within me, sparking an intimate kinship with global humanity that is both disarming and enriching. The past shapes the present, and in knowing the past better, I know myself better.
V. Fields