An Emotional Journey into Ancestry: A personal experience of DNA testing with iGENEA
Family name Girard
Embarking on a DNA adventure with iGENEA brought about a tumultuous sea of emotions, from curiosity and anticipation to surprise and affirmation, creating a deeper connection to the Girard lineage. The unveiling of various geographies and cultural imprints fused with the Girard name, fuelling pride, validation, and a heightened sense of identity.
For a long time, questions about my ancestry and origins pinged around in my thoughts, like pebbles gently tossed into a wellspring of confusion and curiosity. The meandering paths of my ancestors always intrigued me, as well their connection to our surname, Girard. And so, to quench this thirst for knowledge, I decided to undertake a DNA test through iGENEA.
The experience of providing my DNA sample was quite simple, and I found myself filled with an odd mix of excitement and anxiety as I sent it off, a piece of myself voyaging to unlock mysteries shrouded in the depths of ancestral history. The wait for the results was perhaps one of the most emotionally charged periods; it was a languishing anticipation, like waiting for the first rays of sun after an elongated winter.
Upon receiving my results, there was a characteristic surge of emotions, akin to opening a time capsule from a past life. Compiling the threads of my genetic makeup not only solidified my affiliation with the Girard lineage but enriched my understanding of its span across different geographies and cultures.
My results showed a great deal of French ancestry, a revelation that brought a wave of validation since Girard did indeed, originate from France. There was an immense sense of pride knowing our family had historically contributed to French society, bridging me to a cultural heritage I had initially only known from afar.
In addition, the test shed light on a previously opaque narrative surrounding our family's migration patterns. The presence of DNA from different countries besides France gave compelling evidence of a diaspora that had dispersed my ancestors far and wide, sketching an intriguing panorama of journeys taken and lands explored.
Overall, my experience with the iGENEA DNA test was more than a scientific exploration; it was an emotional roller coaster. It deepened my relationship with my surname, embedding within it as a profound sense of identity and historical significance.
F. Girard