DNA Test Revelation: The Unexpected Berber, Moorish, and Sephardic Jewish Roots of the Valencia Family
Family name Valencia
The pursuit of ancestral knowledge through an iGENEA DNA test resulted in insightful information about the roots of the Valencia family. With origins tracing back to Berber tribes and Sephardic Jews, the DNA test has significantly altered the author's self-perception.
Pursuing my family's ancestral history and heritage has been an intriguing journey, one that took an unexpected turn when I decided to take a comprehensive DNA test from iGENEA. This test has unequivocally influenced not just my knowledge about my ancestors named Valencia but also my perception about myself. Undeniably, the pleasant surprises I encountered have perennially reshaped my understanding of family origins.
Starting with the information that came to the fore pertaining to the direct lineage from the Valencia family in Spain, the DNA test was revealing. As a modern day individual bearing this surname, I used to believe that we were indigenous to Spain since time immemorial. Yet, the iGENEA DNA testing presented an unexpected modification to my ancestry, pointing towards origins that were not strictly located within the barriers of Spain.
The Valencia roots were traced back to the nomadic Berber tribes of North Africa which later migrated northwards to the Iberian Peninsula. This migration was a part of the Moorish invasion during the 8th century. This startling revelation refreshed historical narratives which often highlight dramatic Moorish influence on Spanish art, music, and culture.
Equally surprising was the connection drawn with the Sephardic Jews of Spain. This was unexpected as my understanding was always centred on the probability of a purely Catholic heritage. Nonetheless, it seems that certain Valencia ancestors did convert to Catholicism during the Inquisition, veiling their Judaic roots in order to survive. Grasping this piece of information complemented my understanding about historical narratives of religious conversion, a reality many families confronted during the Inquisition.
Overall, these discoveries have significantly transformed how I perceive my familial background and my own identity. Now, every time my surname attracts attention, I am reminded that I am not just the descendant of Spanish ancestors, but a living legacy of a vibrant amalgam of Berber, Moorish and Sephardic Jewish heritage.
D. Valencia