Discovering Ancestral Roots: An Emotional Journey with iGENEA and The Goldsmith Surname
Family name Goldsmith
The iGENEA DNA test journey has elicited emotions ranging from surprise to joy and from shock to pride as I delved deep into my family's history, particularly in relation to the Goldsmith surname. The experience provided insight into my true lineage and reshaped my understanding of my own identity.
Taking the iGENEA DNA test has been more than just an intriguing and insightful journey into my ancestry; it has also been an emotionally intense and deeply illuminative experience that has reshaped my understanding of myself, my family, and my relation to the surname Goldsmith. The whirlwind of emotions that came with each revelation was overwhelming and, often times, deeply moving.
Initially, curiosity was the driving force, the thought of retracing my genealogical footsteps back thousands of years was exciting. It felt like a giant puzzle waiting to be solved. The first emotional punch came as I spit into the iGENEA saliva collection kit, I felt a profound sense of connection to my ancestors despite the obvious temporal and geographical disconnect.
As the results rolled in, surprise was the next emotion that washed over me. The Goldsmiths, hitherto believed to be indubitably English, had roots that stretched all the way to the Middle East. This revelation threw me for a loop and filled me with questions about my family’s past.
I was flooded with, seemingly conflicting, feelings of displacement and belonging. Part of me felt deceived by the life I had lived before, unaware of my true lineage. Yet another part felt liberated, knowing I was part of a much larger, global story. However, with time, the shock ebbed away, replaced by intrigue and an insatiable quest for knowledge.
Throughout the process, I crossed paths with newfound relatives, a process which was equally heartwarming and bewildering. These connections were an open invitation into an extended family I never knew existed. It brought comfort in this post-modern world, where identities can feel fluid and unanchored.
Moreover, the discovery of Sephardic Jewish roots connected with the surname Goldsmith evoked emotions that were profoundly moving. I felt a profound reverence for the resilience of my forefathers who were, presumably, expelled from Spain during the Inquisition. By extension, this instilled a newfound pride in my surname.
In conclusion, the iGENEA DNA test has shifted my self-perception, turned my world upside-down, and plunged me into an ocean of self-discovery. Buttressed by knowledge, I stand humbled yet empowered, carrying the Goldsmith name forward with renewed purpose and an invigorated sense of identity.
U. Goldsmith