Unlocking the Genetic Secrets of My Surname - A Leitgeb's iGENEA DNA Test Journey
Family name Leitgeb
My family history journey led me to discover my paternal lineage through the iGENEA DNA test. The results revealed that my surname, Leitgeb, belongs to the Y-DNA haplogroup R1b, generally associated with Western Europe. Surprisingly, my maternal lineage traces back to the haplogroup H, typically connected to North Africa and Scandinavia. This DNA test has provided a richer understanding of my ancestry, opening up a world of ancient origins, migratory flights, and multiple origins of the Leitgeb surname.
My family history has always intrigued me. After years of conducting traditional genealogical research, I wanted to delve deeper into my ancestors and my connecting thread to the past. I've always known that my surname, Leitgeb, had German and Austro-Bavarian roots, but I wanted a more profound, dimensional understanding of where I came from, and where my people originated. The iGENEA DNA test was the scientific tool that allowed me to uncover this.
The precise results from iGENEA were more than I ever expected. The detailed report stated that my paternal line, Leitgeb, belongs to the Y-DNA haplogroup R1b, the most common haplogroup in Western Europe. This verified my European roots, and even suggested a possible connection to the Indo-Europeans, the nomadic people who spread across the European continent in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
Remarkably, this haplogroup is often associated with the "Celtic" populations, indicating a possibility that my ancestors had been in close proximity or possibly connected with these ancient tribes. The test also revealed the evidence of migration patterns over centuries, revealing that my ancestors likely followed the path from Eastern Europe to Central Europe, settling in the regions that are now known as Germany and Austria.
Equally as entertaining, my mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which traces back to my maternal lineage, belongs to the haplogroup H. This group is prevalent among the Berber populations of North Africa and the Saami people in Scandinavia, a surprising revelation that indicates a broader geographic spread for my ancestors than I initially suspected.
The most captivating aspect was learning that variations in my DNA sequence are unique enough to distinguish my Leitgeb line from other Leitgebs, even though we share the same surname. This indicates that there may have been multiple origins for the surname, or possible non-paternal events along the line.
Overall, the iGENEA DNA test provided a comprehensive view of my genetic ancestry, deepening my connection to my Leitgeb ancestors and shining a whole new light on their ancient origins and migratory journeys. It's fascinating to think of the unbroken string of lives that led to mine, and I am proud to carry the Leitgeb name forward.
G. Leitgeb