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Winston County – Ancestry

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Ancestry refers to the lineage or descent of a person, family, or group, tracing back through generations to identify their origins, heritage, and familial connections. It encompasses the genetic, cultural, and historical ties that link individuals to their forebears, shaping their identity and sense of belonging. Ancestry is a multifaceted concept, intertwining biology, genealogy, history, and culture, and it plays a significant role in how people understand themselves and their place in the world.

At its core, ancestry is rooted in genetics. Each individual inherits a unique combination of DNA from their parents, who in turn inherited their DNA from their own ancestors. This genetic material carries information about physical traits, predispositions to certain health conditions, and even behavioral tendencies. Advances in genetic testing, such as DNA analysis, have made it possible for individuals to trace their biological ancestry with remarkable precision. Companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA offer services that analyze genetic markers to provide insights into a person's ethnic composition and geographic origins, often revealing surprising connections to distant relatives or previously unknown heritage.

Beyond genetics, ancestry is deeply tied to genealogy, the study of family history and lineage. Genealogical research involves constructing family trees, documenting relationships, and uncovering historical records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, census data, and immigration documents. This process often reveals stories of migration, resilience, and adaptation, offering a window into the lives of ancestors and the challenges they faced. For many, genealogy is a way to honor their forebears and preserve their legacy for future generations.

Cultural ancestry is another critical dimension, encompassing the traditions, languages, customs, and values passed down through generations. It connects individuals to their ethnic or national heritage, shaping their cultural identity and worldview. For example, someone with Irish ancestry might celebrate St. Patrick's Day, learn traditional Irish dance, or explore the Gaelic language, while someone with Japanese ancestry might practice tea ceremonies, study calligraphy, or observe Obon festivals. Cultural ancestry fosters a sense of continuity and belonging, linking individuals to a broader community with shared experiences and values.

Historical ancestry delves into the broader context of a family's or group's past, including significant events, social conditions, and historical movements that shaped their lives. For instance, the transatlantic slave trade, the Irish Potato Famine, or the Jewish diaspora have profoundly influenced the ancestry of millions of people, leaving lasting imprints on their descendants' identities. Understanding historical ancestry often involves grappling with complex narratives of triumph and tragedy, resilience and oppression, and the interplay of individual and collective experiences.

Ancestry also has a deeply personal and emotional dimension. For many, exploring their ancestry is a journey of self-discovery, offering insights into who they are and where they come from. It can foster a sense of pride, connection, and continuity, as well as a deeper appreciation for the struggles and achievements of those who came before. At the same time, it can raise questions about identity, belonging, and the complexities of heritage, particularly for individuals with mixed or multicultural backgrounds.

In a globalized world, ancestry serves as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting individuals to their roots while also highlighting the interconnectedness of human history. It underscores the diversity and richness of human experience, reminding us that every person's story is part of a larger tapestry woven over centuries. Whether through genetic testing, genealogical research, cultural practices, or historical exploration, ancestry offers a profound way to understand ourselves and our place in the world.

A diversification score measures the diversity of ancestries in the county. As the value appoaches 100, ancestry diversity decreases and therefore increasing the risk of a lack of cultural diversity. The ancestry diversification score for this county is:

21.04

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

American

 
Ancestry Report Part I
DescriptionTotal Population American Native American Hawaiian Carribean Mexican Central American South American Other Hispanic British Dutch French German Italian

Winston County24,3505,0957910294042900901,628121851,036195
Alabama (in 000's)5,20076221238152361121362204421355
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Cullman County93,55023,493277465223,292511223427,0994385789,029959
Walker County66,26615,17618522291,2602631331405,9085054743,110776
Lawrence County34,0658,5861,38071915478538261,62612069784204
Franklin County32,4979,4699832263,7152,11752231,7831507158483
Marion County29,5996,568631357654620521,9191142261,055114
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Winston County21.0420.920.320.040.121.661.190.000.376.690.500.354.250.80
Alabama18.4114.650.400.050.722.920.700.210.416.970.390.844.101.05
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Cullman County16.2925.110.300.050.563.520.050.130.377.590.470.629.651.03
Walker County18.4422.900.280.000.351.900.400.200.218.920.760.724.691.17
Lawrence County20.3625.204.050.020.561.610.250.110.084.770.350.202.300.60
Franklin County17.6829.140.300.010.7011.436.510.020.695.490.460.221.800.26
Marion County22.9422.190.210.040.192.210.210.000.186.480.390.763.560.39
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Winston County 142.8080.5188.1016.4756.92170.340.0089.8995.99127.4041.62103.7775.96
Alabama 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 33.20157.58381.60442.42381.46234.89590.71347.8577.14157.60148.06193.16278.88
Cullman County 171.3873.48105.4977.14120.717.8063.4688.91108.95120.0473.67235.3997.24
Walker County 156.2969.286.4747.7865.2356.7797.6751.38128.00195.3985.28114.46111.08
Lawrence County 172.011,005.2844.0877.5255.0835.6954.2918.5668.5390.3224.1556.1356.80
Franklin County 198.8574.8319.8096.15392.16931.767.49166.8978.77118.3426.0543.8324.23
Marion County 151.4352.8294.2226.6275.8029.960.0042.7393.0898.7591.0486.9336.53
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Winston County 430.0851.0923.093.7214.9272.520.0025.84124.4480.8428.1153.7227.24
Alabama 301.1963.4626.2122.6026.2242.5716.9328.75129.6463.4567.5451.7735.86
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Cullman County 516.1846.6327.6417.4431.653.3210.7425.56141.2376.1749.75121.8634.87
Walker County 470.7343.961.7010.8017.1024.1716.5314.77165.94123.9857.6059.2639.83
Lawrence County 518.07637.9611.5517.5214.4415.199.195.3488.8457.3116.3129.0620.37
Franklin County 598.9247.495.1921.73102.80396.681.2747.98102.1275.0917.5922.698.69
Marion County 456.1033.5224.696.0219.8712.750.0012.28120.6762.6661.4845.0013.10
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Polish Scandi­navian Scotish Irish Other European Chinese Japanese Korean South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Winston County24,350114932,36921141015171724213,7188,675
Alabama (in 000's)5,20019353949612313192110121,5021,328
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Cullman County93,55052771010,0991,15921556914961781213,02621,336
Walker County66,266821966,5867244495871363511,26919,004
Lawrence County34,065101152,658222213691055298,0539,220
Franklin County32,49729481,505195600244141345,4486,563
Marion County29,599661462,362377015101313714,26411,338
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Winston County21.040.470.389.730.870.020.040.060.070.070.100.0915.2735.63
Alabama18.410.360.677.581.850.220.050.240.370.400.190.2328.8825.54
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Cullman County16.290.560.7610.801.240.020.060.070.010.100.190.0113.9222.81
Walker County18.440.120.309.941.090.070.010.010.010.010.210.0517.0128.68
Lawrence County20.360.030.347.800.650.010.040.020.030.030.160.0923.6427.07
Franklin County17.680.090.154.630.600.020.000.000.070.010.040.4116.7620.20
Marion County22.940.220.497.981.270.000.000.170.000.040.040.2414.4138.31
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Winston County 128.6056.95128.3446.847.3278.6025.4818.8117.6053.2337.5752.86139.47
Alabama 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 419.77286.9688.57172.58567.16467.78213.25421.04447.66228.30273.9373.9664.52
Cullman County 154.74113.18142.4166.9710.00112.5330.514.0325.87102.765.5948.2189.28
Walker County 33.9944.11131.1159.0629.5925.993.123.252.66110.8423.0158.88112.27
Lawrence County 8.0650.34102.9335.232.6273.047.297.127.4087.2037.0881.85105.95
Franklin County 24.5122.0361.0932.448.230.000.0019.903.1023.27179.6258.0479.06
Marion County 61.2573.56105.2768.850.006.4771.280.0011.0723.72104.4949.88149.95
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Winston County 30.6419.85144.9127.141.2916.8011.954.473.9323.3213.7171.47216.16
Alabama 23.8234.85112.9157.9417.6321.3846.8923.7522.3443.8036.51135.20154.99
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Cullman County 36.8639.44160.7938.801.7624.0614.310.965.7845.012.0465.18138.38
Walker County 8.1015.37148.0434.225.225.561.460.770.5948.558.4079.60174.01
Lawrence County 1.9217.54116.2220.410.4615.613.421.691.6538.1913.54110.66164.22
Franklin County 5.847.6868.9818.791.450.000.004.730.6910.1965.5778.47122.54
Marion County 14.5925.63118.8639.890.001.3833.420.002.4710.3938.1567.43232.42


Sources: STI: PopStats