iGENEA DNA Test and the Lankford Legacy: An Unexpected Journey Into my Family's Diverse Heritage
Family name Lankford
After my iGENEA DNA test results revealed unexpected European and Jewish ancestry, my perception of the Lankford family name has been significantly altered. I’ve discovered a tapestry of cultures and histories intertwined with my own that have shaped my unique Lankford identity, offering a sense of belonging and connection that went beyond anything I've previously known.
The results I've received from my iGENEA DNA test have had a profound impact on my understanding of my Lankford family identity. It's opened up a broad universe that I never knew existed tracing back to my roots and filling me with a sense of awe.
The test results revealed that my Lankford forebears hailed from Europe, primarily the United Kingdom, settling first on the Eastern seaboard of the United States, before gradually migrating West. I was surprised to learn that my DNA also contained a small percentage of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. This revelation tossed the rock-solid picture, I previously had about my ancestry, into a whirlwind of puzzle pieces.
I always thought of the Lankford name as primarily American, but the test showed that it's actually far more broad and diverse. It’s given me new depths of belonging and connection. Interestingly, I learned that the Lankfords might have been a part of larger groups such as merchants, tradesmen, or even soldiers; contributing significantly to the societies they were part of.
The test also showed potential matches to distant relatives, connecting me to a larger Lankford family sprawl that I wasn’t aware of. This web of connection underlines how much diverse our personal histories can be.
This newfound insight places the Lankford identity in a wholly new light. I've discovered a long lineage of strength, adaptability, and above all, incredible resilience that defines us. Being aware that I am a blend of multiple world cultures, and understanding the diverse history of my family name, enriches my own identity.
I am prouder than ever to carry the Lankford surname, knowing it represents not just a label, but a powerful narrative of ancestors who journeyed across continents, adopted new cultures yet maintained strong familial bonds. The iGENEA DNA test has stirred a newfound sense of an identity that was familiar yet vastly unexplored, and I look forward to further researching and learning about my proud Lankford heritage.
U. Lankford