An Emotional Journey Through Surnames: My Experience with iGENEA DNA Test
Family name Henning
The DNA test from iGENEA was transformative, turning the abstract concept of a surname into an emotional journey connecting the generations. The revelations about the Henning lineage sparked curiosity, surprise, and an overwhelming sense of continuity within history.
Experiencing iGENEA DNA test was nothing short of a revelation. When I first learned about the tests, I was intrigued but balanced my expectations. I understood it as a tool to discover geographical regions where my ancestors might have lived, maybe even delve a little into my paternal lineage. However, the profound emotional journey it sparked was unexpected.
I chose to focus on my surname, Henning, a remnant given to me by a line of ancestors I barely knew except from a few sepia-toned photographs and family lores passed on during holiday gatherings. My connection to them felt ambiguous, more of a historical bond than an emotional one. They existed, I exist, and the thread connecting us was abstract until iGENEA entered the picture.
When my DNA results arrived, it was no less than a time portal being opened. The symbolic double helix became a bridge to my past, grounding my existence and my surname. It was intense to see our surname Henning, historically traced back to Northern Germany before spreading out to Denmark and England. It was a revelation that triggered mixed emotions – excitement, surprise, and a touch of melancholy.
The test certainly fueled my curiosity. I found myself taking multiple dives into genealogical research, immersing myself deeper into history, trying to imagine the lives of my Henning forebearers in different centuries and geographies. These Hennings, who were my people, became substantially more tangible than they had ever been.
Investigating the migratory patterns of my surname brought me face to face with global events. Wars, migrations, and major shifts on historical landscapes were suddenly not just textbook trivia. These events had shaped the journey of the Hennings, and in an extension, my journey, imparting them an emotional gravity.
The iGENEA DNA test was not merely a scientific exploration of my genetics. It was a pilgrimage back through time that not only revealed my roots but also gave me a profound sense of connection and continuity. I now carry my surname Henning with a tangible understanding of its history and identity, extending beyond a shared name to a shared heritage and legacy. Discovering the horizons of one's identity was a profound, grounding experience.
K. Henning