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Santa Cruz 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:

14.43

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

Mexican

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

Santa Cruz County266,3434,3247352531,33878,8642,9621,4985,60416,0761,9473,03614,7498,110
California (in 000's)39,75354914713436612,6951,3193699351,1171232471,219613
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Santa Clara County1,930,10814,5563,2465,87412,673391,02329,25717,74233,46837,8064,0448,76340,48426,468
San Mateo County746,6788,4429538,6245,945107,55941,51510,75316,48720,5052,1055,39222,06917,596
Monterey County433,0743,8351,1681,7793,772235,6258,8102,3758,82311,3188652,04710,9296,049
San Benito County68,88351523913395137,6147773332,5441,4531223411,5821,231
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Santa Cruz County14.431.620.280.090.5029.611.110.562.106.040.731.145.543.04
California15.641.380.370.340.9231.933.320.932.352.810.310.623.071.54
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Santa Clara County11.650.750.170.300.6620.261.520.921.731.960.210.452.101.37
San Mateo County9.481.130.131.150.8014.415.561.442.212.750.280.722.962.36
Monterey County32.290.890.270.410.8754.412.030.552.042.610.200.472.521.40
San Benito County33.500.750.350.191.3854.611.130.483.692.110.180.502.301.79
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Santa Cruz County 117.5374.7828.1254.5692.7233.5160.6389.50214.76236.19183.12180.63197.42
California 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 352.19172.0852.65347.5734.8249.48130.8460.84191.18198.61199.49258.34190.62
Santa Clara County 54.5945.5790.0971.3163.4445.6799.0873.7669.7067.7072.9468.4288.91
San Mateo County 81.8534.59341.9086.4845.11167.53155.2393.9297.7191.09116.0196.41152.79
Monterey County 64.1073.09121.6094.60170.3761.3059.1186.6692.9964.5375.9382.3290.56
San Benito County 54.1294.0257.16149.95170.9933.9952.11157.0975.0557.2279.5374.91115.87
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Santa Cruz County 33.3743.4653.4015.70266.2867.7246.33147.11112.34118.9291.7969.92103.57
California 28.3958.11189.9228.77287.18202.0976.43164.3752.3150.3550.1338.7152.46
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Santa Clara County 15.5026.48171.0920.52182.1992.3075.73121.2336.4634.0936.5626.4846.64
San Mateo County 23.2420.10649.3224.88129.54338.56118.64154.3851.1145.8658.1537.3280.16
Monterey County 18.2042.47230.9427.22489.28123.8745.18142.4448.6432.4938.0631.8647.51
San Benito County 15.3754.64108.5543.14491.0668.6939.83258.2239.2628.8139.8629.0060.79
 
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

Santa Cruz County266,3432,2687,74918,07810,5993,6751,6539301,7673,3198461,79744,45929,707
California (in 000's)39,7531904761,2339041,6012905369522,2963084497,6373,047
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Santa Clara County1,930,1087,02816,76539,47038,482223,11029,44635,863194,045241,19126,02918,184335,12899,963
San Mateo County746,6784,0809,53025,71020,92090,82910,1427,83425,91579,46510,7677,962135,87749,702
Monterey County433,0741,4954,25211,3197,9802,7862,5142,8162,51913,0931,1201,76459,52924,492
San Benito County68,8831285911,59862786241430981,25712910111,7843,978
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Santa Cruz County14.430.852.916.793.981.380.620.350.661.250.320.6716.6911.15
California15.640.481.203.102.274.030.731.352.405.780.771.1319.217.66
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Santa Clara County11.650.360.872.041.9911.561.531.8610.0512.501.350.9417.365.18
San Mateo County9.480.551.283.442.8012.161.361.053.4710.641.441.0718.206.66
Monterey County32.290.350.982.611.840.640.580.650.583.020.260.4113.755.66
San Benito County33.500.190.862.320.910.120.350.620.141.820.190.1517.115.78
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Santa Cruz County 178.31243.04218.89174.9534.2784.9425.9027.6921.5741.0059.6986.88145.53
California 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 320.01160.75216.51140.3631.6133.4538.2465.2330.7454.5755.63111.20215.05
Santa Clara County 76.2572.5665.9587.65287.10208.80137.82419.67216.34174.0883.3590.3867.58
San Mateo County 114.42106.62111.04123.17302.13185.9077.82144.88184.24186.1494.3394.7286.85
Monterey County 72.2982.0284.2981.0115.9879.4548.2324.2852.3433.3836.0371.5573.79
San Benito County 38.9171.6774.8140.023.1047.8846.305.9431.5924.1712.9789.0475.35
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Santa Cruz County 55.72151.19101.10124.64108.41253.9467.7342.4570.1875.14107.2978.1467.67
California 31.2562.2146.1971.25316.33298.95261.53153.30325.32183.26179.7589.9346.50
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Santa Clara County 23.8345.1430.4662.45908.21624.23360.43643.34703.79319.02149.8281.2831.42
San Mateo County 35.7666.3351.2987.76955.74555.76203.52222.10599.39341.12169.5785.1840.39
Monterey County 22.5951.0238.9357.7150.54237.52126.1337.22170.2761.1864.7764.3434.31
San Benito County 12.1644.5934.5528.519.81143.15121.099.10102.7744.3023.3280.0835.04


Sources: STI: PopStats