Unveiling the Broadway Lineage: A DNA-Based Journey into the Past
Family name Broadway
I recently took a DNA test through iGENEA to uncover my family's ancestral lineage. As a Broadway, I anticipated an English origin, but the results depicted a rich tapestry of diverse ethnic roots that translated to an unexpected and eclectic genealogical journey.
Recently, my curiosity propelled me to take a DNA test from iGENEA and the results provided invaluable insight into the lineage of my Broadway ancestors. The sweep of history that unfolded was fascinating; broadening my horizons to unforeseen ethnic groups and eras. Continent after continent, era after era, my ancestral jigsaw puzzle began to take shape.
Initially, I assumed that my roots were deeply embedded in the United Kingdom, given the Broadway surname is of English origin. However, my iGENEA DNA results painted a much more complex and international picture. Besides British Isles, there were traces from Scandinavia, the Iberian Peninsula, and even Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. This genetic cocktail was not what I'd envisaged and strongly contradicted my initial assumptions.
One of the most unexpected discoveries was the Jewish links. It was a complete surprise and sent me scurrying back to our family tree, tracing the ancestry to an unexpected Sephardic Jewish branch who were expelled from Spain in the 15th century. This revelation has forced me to reconsider not just my lineage but also the universal struggle of minorities for acceptance and survival.
As for the Scandinavian roots, it pointed to the possibility of Viking invaders amongst my ancestors. It led me to wonder whether our initial English understanding was skewed by their later settlement in England, thereby changing the Broadway identity over centuries. Learning about the fierce warrior class in my bloodline made me question how much of that fighting spirit has been handed down generations and still exists within me.
The Iberian link also came as a surprise. I was astounded by the realization that my ancestors might have experienced the cultural richness of Spain. They possibly lived through key historical milestones such as the age of discovery, the Inquisition, and the Renaissance, surviving and passing down their genes to each subsequent Broadway generation.
In a way, this experience has reminded me of a layered mosaic. Each tile might stand on its own but combined, they form a cohesive and vibrant picture that is singularly representative of who I am today. The result made me realize that my Broadway ancestors were just as migratory, heterogeneous, and multi-layered as any modern global citizen.
DNA testing has not only shaped my understanding of my Broadway lineage but forced me to acknowledge individual fragments of history and culture that constitute me. It has made me value diversity, resilience and the fluidity of identity more profoundly. These insights through iGENEA DNA test tell a story of not just my past, but of humanity's collective journey.
T. Broadway