From Salas to Self: Understanding Identity Through iGENEA
Family name Salas
The results of my iGENEA DNA test have been transformative, shaping my view of my surname – Salas, and transforming my understanding of my family history. Discovering my deep-rooted Spanish lineage and surprising Sephardic ancestry, has redefined my cultural and personal identity, while unifying me with a broader narrative of resilience, globalism, and adaptation.
The results from my iGENEA DNA test have been nothing less than transformative in shaping my understanding and perception of my surname, Salas, and my overall family identity. One of the most profound insights was the discovery of my deep-seated roots in Iberian, specifically Spanish, lineage. Before the test, I had not the slightest notion of this integral part of my heritage. This revelation has truly redefined my cultural and personal identity.
The comprehensive iGENEA DNA test fascinatingly traced my genetics back by several centuries, exposing a fascinating journey of migration, adaptation, and endurance. The surname Salas, I discovered, has rich ties to the region of Cantabria on Spain's Northern coastline. The test further revealed that my ancestors were among the numerous seafaring explorers who set sail from Spain during the era of conquest and discovery. Could it be that my love for the sea and travel is in my blood?
I unearthed yet another surprising fact about my lineage in the traces of Jewish Sephardic ancestry. The fascinating cocktail of Spanish and Jewish roots was an astonishing revelation and explains a bit about the complex cultural traditions in our family. This could also mean that my family was a part of the large Jewish population that was expelled from Spain during the 15th Century.
My perspective on my family lineage and surname has massively transformed following the DNA test. The effects of this crucial discovery have rippled through my daily life, making me more passionately interested in learning Spanish, understanding the Spanish culture, and rediscovering Jewish traditions.
Delving into the richness and depth of my lineage has also strengthened my feeling of kinship with distant relatives who share the Salas surname. I am now proud to bear my surname which bears witness to a rich tapestry of resilience, adaptation, and globalism that have been an integral part of my ancestry and identity.
The iGENEA DNA test was a brilliant educational journey for me. It was more than just a simple test; it was a deep dive into the roots of the surname Salas and a better understanding my family lineage. It has allowed me to connect with a larger narrative extending beyond my immediate family. Understanding where I come from has given me a keener sense of who I am and where I am heading.
M. Salas