Deciphering Deep-Rooted Ancestry: A Stirring Encounter with iGENEA DNA Test
Family name Wittenberg
Venturing into the journey of my DNA with iGENEA brought overwhelming emotions, excitement, anticipation, vulnerability, and empowerment. The reveal of my Ashkenazi Jewish roots and the rich historical significance tied to my surname 'Wittenberg', infuses me with pride, changing the way I perceive and narrate my family history.
Delving into the historical depth of my genetics with iGENEA excited me, right from unboxing the DNA test kit. The prospect of unraveling hidden aspects of my Ancestry filled every step of the process with enticing trepidation. As I swabbed the inside of my cheek, I could not help but compare this simple act with the complex world of new knowledge that it was about to unlock for me. The emergence of possible connections to people and pleplaces I'd never known- the anticipation was both thrilling and overwhelming.
Shipping the test back to iGENEA was a peculiarly emotional moment. Having dispatched a piece of myself for extensive examination and analysis, I felt an odd mix of vulnerability and empowerment. As I patiently awaited the results, my mind entertained elaborate speculations about what my DNA could disclose.
The day my email chimed with the news of iGENEA results arrival is vividly engraved in my memory. I felt a renewed sense of appreciation for my ancestors when my DNA report revealed that I was of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, my roots anchored in Eastern Europe. This revelation juxtaposed elegantly with my void understanding of our family history.
Coming to the surname ‘Wittenberg,’ it had always struck me as very ordinary. The resonance of ‘Wittenberg’ deepened when the test results associated it with a significant history of Jewish migration from Europe. Now, ‘Wittenberg’ is no longer just my last name. It's a piece of my identity that connects me to brave ancestors who traversed tumultuous waters of history, holding on to their identity.
The iGENEA DNA test certainly caused ripples in my perception of my family history. It made the once subjective and emotional meaning of family more tangible and detailed. I now share the stories that my DNA revealed about my forebears with my own children, infusing them with a sense of pride in our shared heritage. After all, isn't that what the exploration of our past and ourselves truly encapsulates — a legacy to pass unto future generations?
E. Wittenberg