The Unveiling of Unseen Ancestry: A Journey through iGENEA DNA Test and its Influence on My Understanding of the Hertig lineage
Family name Hertig
Venturing into my ancestral journey with iGENEA led me to discover an unexpected aspect of my lineage – a Viking and Mediterranean heritage that paints a broader, more exciting image of my past. The revelations, startling at first, evolved into an enriching understanding of my roots and greatly influenced my self-perception.
Upon receiving my ancestral DNA results from iGENEA, I was struck with a profound sense of surprise and wonder. The results pointed to a lineage significantly different than the stories told across generations in my family.
I had grown up hearing tales of the Hertig ancestry, supposedly rooted within the very core of Central Europe. However, the DNA test revealed an unexpectedly diverse rhapsody of mixed ancestry that painted a much broader, and far more exciting, mental map of my past. My DNA painted a picture of a bloodline ensconced deeply in Northern Europe, particularly within Scandinavian territory, mixed with a portion of Mediterranean European descent.
This unexpected insight made me re-evaluate my understanding of the Hertig ancestry. The North European link in the DNA suggested a Viking heritage, presenting a radically different image from the farming lifestyle I had always associated with the Hertig family. A new image rose before my eyes, one of Viking warriors with a history of exploration and demanding survival on the cold Northern seas. The Mediterranean connection also fortified the theory of my ancestors being adventurous seafarers.
The realisation of having Viking blood ruffled my understanding of my strength and resilience, perceived as just a personal characteristic, now a heritage. The Mediterranean link offered an explanation for my love for the sea, my wanderlust, and my innate quest for new experiences and cultures.
Embracing these latest revelations has been a process of accepting a more comprehensive sense of self beyond just the name and language. The Hertigs from Central Europe have now expanded to the resilient Northern European Vikings and the explorative Mediterranean seafarers. Despite its shock, the iGENEA DNA test has nudged me into exploring and embracing an extraordinary heritage, transforming my self-perception and enhancing my appreciation for the diverse blood that runs in my veins.
O. Hertig