Transcending McManus Family Myths: The Unexpected Revelations from my iGENEA DNA Test
Family name McManus
As a member of the McManus clan, I've always prided myself on having a rich Celtic heritage. However, an iGENEA DNA test had not only dispelled our cherished Gaelic ancestry myths but had also opened up captivating new worlds, offering unexpected insights and shifting the long-held narrative of our lineage.
The results of my DNA test from iGENEA illuminated my ancestry in an astonishing new light, completely transforming my understanding of who I truly am. For years, my family, the McManuses, passed down an ancestral history via oral tradition. Half-Clan warriors from Scotland, half-peat bogs farmers from Ireland, nimble weavers, and gifted poets— the McManuses were proud of our Gaelic legacy.
Nevertheless, my iGENEA DNA test revealed an unexpected but exciting reality— the McManuses originated not from Gaelic Ireland or Scotland, but northern Portugal! This new knowledge that my paternal ancestors were actually powerful seafaring traders from Porto, rather than rural Celtic farmers, has been awe-inspiring. It generated in-depth conversations and a frenzy of historical research within the family.
Additionally, a coincidence emerged as my love for sailing finally made sense. Growing up near the Michigan Great Lakes, I've always held a deep affiliation with the water. Now, understanding that my ancestors were once mariners navigating the Atlantic, my affinity for water feels like a genetic calling.
Furthermore, the test results revealed a diverse genetic pool conflating my identity even further. A significant percentage of my DNA markers show an Eastern European origin, and another indicates a North African lineage, all intertwining with sensual traders of Porto. This genetic mosaic forced me to reconsider my identity, integrating these unexpected but enriching facets into my understanding of myself and my ancestors.
Lastly, the iGENEA DNA test demolished my perception that our bloodline was relatively contained within Europe. Instead, the test painted an image of my ancestors as explorers, merchants, and perhaps even conquerors, reaching out to regions previously unknown to me.
The insights gleaned from my iGENEA DNA test have rebuffed many long-held family narratives, opening an exciting new chapter of our shared history. It has catalyzed a revision of who we are as McManuses, while leaving room for further exploration and discovery.
P. McManus