Unraveling my Viking Roots: A DNA Exploration into my Olmstead Heritage
Family name Olmstead
Delving into the unknown, my DNA journey with iGENEA has revealed surprising connections between my surname, Olmstead, and Scandinavian roots, present during the Viking era. The stronghold was unsuspected, with genetic indicators tied to both the I1 and R1a haplogroups. This vibrant tapestry of cultural overlapping suddenly brings a new meaning to what I previously considered a standard Upper Midwestern heritage.
After a thrilling journey into my DNA ancestry through iGENEA, I first discovered that the name Olmstead has its roots in Scandinavia. Bathed in Nordic tradition, my lineage reached as far back as the Viking age. While I self-identified as a North American Upper Midwesterner, beneath the surface was an unexplored world of ancient Norse seafarers, traders, and explorers. I also found a revealed a strong presence of both the I1 and R1a haplogroups. These surprising genetic footprints led me to understand that my roots were more diverse than I anticipated.
V. Olmstead