Emotion-laden Journey of Self-discovery with iGENEA: Exploring the Surname Britton
Family name Britton
The iGENEA DNA Test proved to be an emotional roller coaster, challenging my concept of self and family history. Yet, in the process, it turned the surname Britton from a mere British association to a captivating link to a far-off Scandinavian past.
My experience with iGENEA has been nothing short of a journey filled with discovery and emotions. Foremost, the DNA test that I underwent opened up a whole new dimension of my understanding of my lineage and family tree. I submitted a sample of my DNA thinking it would straightforwardly confirm my English origins. However, the results were vastly more complex—and eye-opening—than I could ever foreseen.
When my results landed within my inbox, anticipation seized me. As I expected, I do possess a significant amount of English DNA, suggesting my long-held belief in my lineage. But, that was not the end. To my surprise, I found out that I also have Scandinavian DNA. A twist in my ancestral tale that I never anticipated. The subsequent rush of emotion was profound, a mix of bewilderment, humiliation, and a deep sense of intrigue.
Initially, it felt as if these results were questioning my understanding of my family’s history, especially with the surname Britton, so inherently British. Feeling somewhat disoriented, I found myself revisiting family memories and questioning the accuracy of the stories passed down through generations. However, as I pushed aside that first wave of emotional turmoil, something else took over... curiosity.
I was intrigued to dig deeper into my Scandinavian roots. I decided to research, contacting distant relatives and visiting archives. Slowly, throughout weeks of investigation, I uncovered a hidden narrative within my family. It appears that an ancestor with the surname Britton was a Viking who migrated to Britain hundreds of years ago. It set me on a path of overwhelming discovery; every generation I dug back into felt like further uncovering my identity.
The knowledge of my Scandinavian roots has reshaped my perception of self. Before, my surname was simply a British familial association—an aspect of my identity that, paradoxically, felt somewhat generic and impersonal. Now, knowing its Scandinavian origins, it feels infinitesimally more personal and significant. It has transformed my understanding of my own history from a familiar story to a thrilling saga of adventure, migration, and fusion of cultures.
The DNA test from iGENEA has been an emotional journey of self-rediscovery. In the face of surprising and initially unsettling revelations, I have learned to delight in the unanticipated, appreciate my family’s rich, multi-continental tapestry, and embrace the surname Britton with a new-found pride.
Q. Britton