Ethnic Origins of the Bulgars

My mom's family (paternal line) came from the Volga region and is possibly associated with the Bulgars.  She also loves, loves, loves names starting with "Kh" and in fact named me 'Khendra' rather than 'Kendra' as such.

http://www.cozy-corner.com/history_eng/events_kazhars_bulgars.htm

Not sure what her DNA test in a few weeks will reveal, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.  I know little of my mom's family line other than that they came to the U.S. through 'mysterious circumstances' in the early 1900s. 


Edited by Khendra Bolger - 15-Sep-2010 at 19:49

That's interesting.  I've also seen my name with some frequency in India.

Thats correct if we talking about modern population of Volga region. Volga Bulgaria was annihilated in 1236 from Tataro-Mongol hordes. The next state units in the region didn`t accept Volga Bulgaria as their ancestor, but the Golden Horde. The locals of Russian republic Tatarstan could have some DNA of the old Bulgars, but Turkic and Mongol legacy is totally dominant. Only in the last years began discussions in some nationalistic circles in Tatarstan for connection with Volga Bulgaria. Тo justify their indigenous and to get prestige of the civilization, built great cities like Bolğar, Qaşan,  Suvar and many others. If you go to any Russian-speaking history forum, you will see bitter debate between two party- "Bolgars" and the proud successors to the conqueror Genghis Khan. Of course the "Bolgar" party imagine Volga Bulgarians as Turkic speaking Turkic tribe.