‘A Journey Through Genes: Unexpected Insights from My iGENEA DNA test’
Family name Garrigues
Embarking on a journey through time and genes at iGENEA, I discovered surprises and deep insights into my ancestral Garrigues lineage. The twists in this epic saga have redefined my perception of our family's saga and reshaped my self- understanding.
My DNA test experience at iGENEA has been a revealing journey back in time. Relatively assured of my understanding of the Garrigues' lineage, the insights I have gained through this process have challenged many of my long-held beliefs, expanded my horizons, and fundamentally reshaped my self-perception.
The first surprise was the origin of the Garrigues surname. I had always believed that it was of French origin, reflecting the influence of our Provencal ancestors. However, the results pointed to a different path: the name has deep roots connecting it to the Catalan region of Spain, suggesting a more complex story of migration and intermingling cultures.
This revelation fosters a richer understanding of the Garrigues family history and challenges the notion of single origin stories. Moving forward, I've gained an appreciation of our family's multicultural heritage, which is imbued with tales of resilience, adaptability, and cultural syncretism.
Another unanticipated discovery is the diverse genetic makeup of the Garrigues family. The DNA test revealed traces of North African and Middle Eastern lineage, presumably brought by Moorish and Jewish ancestors who lived in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. This insight adds further richness to the tapestry of our family’s past and prompts a deep reflection on our heritage, cultural identity, and the nature of ancestral legacies.
Before the iGENEA test, I saw myself as predominantly of European descent. However, these revelations have contributed to a broader, more complex understanding of what it means to be a Garrigues. I now perceive our family as a confluence of different cultures, experiences, and histories, constituted by resilience, adaptability, and the continual interplay of past and present.
In conclusion, the iGENEA DNA test has profoundly influenced my knowledge of the Garrigues bloodline. It has prompted a reconsideration of accepted family stories, shed light on unnoticed pieces of our history, and offered a more nuanced understanding of my identity.
R. Garrigues