How an iGENEA DNA Test Unearthed My Wingfield Ancestry and Altered My Self-Understanding
Family name Wingfield
Before taking a DNA test with iGENEA, I knew only a limited amount about my Wingfield ancestors. Post-test, the detailed results have provided incredible insights, especially a historical lens into the lives of my past lineage, fundamentally altering my self-understanding and reinforcing my sense of identity.
Since taking my DNA test through iGENEA, my understanding of my Wingfield ancestors has significantly deepened. I've been startled and intrigued by remarkable revelations, each result intricately knitting together the tapestry of my family history, helping me access parts of my personal lineage I'd never previously fathomed. In doing so, it has irrevocably altered my self-understanding and triggered fresh perspectives on my identity and heritage.
The first critical insight was my direct lineage to the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes. It was fascinating to learn that my Wingfield ancestors were part of these tribes, establishing a historical lens that re-contextualized family histories and structuring a sense of identity bound to a wider historical narrative. Such insight has made me realize that my Wingfield ancestors have weathered their share of historic events, some possibly participating in the dramatic shifts in socio-political landscapes of those times.
More astonishing was the discovery of the shared French lineage through my paternal line. The Wingfields, as I learned, were part of certain Norman families who traveled to England during the Norman Conquest of 1066. This infuses my English roots with a flavorful layer of French heritage, blending cultures, and constructing a unique personal story.
Furthermore, the revelation of a direct connection to Wingfield Manor in England, a notable location historically associated with aristocracy, was astounding. This realization, that the Wingfields were a recognized family of stature within England, added a layer of prestige and historical significance to my family narrative.
Also surprising was the unveiling of genetic links to other Wingfields in the Americas, suggesting that there was possibly a shared ancestor who migrated from England. As a genealogy enthusiast, this possibility of other branches of the Wingfield family that have yet to be discovered is truly fascinating.
The detail and depth provided by this DNA test were nothing short of enthralling, adding a sense of value and enlargement to the existing story of my Wingfield ancestors. It's encouraged introspection into my heritage, reshaping my self-understanding and fueling an appetite to explore further, to unveil more hidden chapters, and bind myself closer to my ancestral roots.
M. Wingfield