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Cook 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:

23.62

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

Cook County18,1201,72823399856235026816499459573
Georgia (in 000's)11,23596520619861816899666883982438149
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Lowndes County122,5898,421282832,3783,5476776267227,6973458644,8571,348
Colquitt County46,9366,68282121,1666,1091,055345122,0698672771136
Tift County42,35010,4336114544,50772383742,04451168757202
Berrien County18,9392,0392191666725461881,10359127619165
Brooks County16,6561,82331653528922308076134117544198
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Cook County23.629.540.130.020.554.721.300.000.144.500.270.523.280.40
Georgia17.648.590.180.051.775.501.490.880.586.130.340.733.891.32
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Lowndes County22.206.870.230.071.942.890.550.510.596.280.280.703.961.10
Colquitt County19.5914.240.170.032.4813.022.250.071.094.410.180.151.640.29
Tift County19.4524.640.140.001.0710.640.170.090.884.830.120.401.790.48
Berrien County23.0110.770.110.050.883.550.290.030.995.820.310.673.270.87
Brooks County21.8110.950.190.043.211.741.340.000.484.570.200.703.271.19
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Cook County 110.9771.2830.2830.9385.8686.810.0024.5573.5278.6770.7484.3130.41
Georgia 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 56.61356.61325.36181.18202.10109.93138.37244.6887.72178.82169.34203.35221.89
Lowndes County 79.93129.19123.84109.8252.5936.9758.21100.75102.5081.8796.11101.7282.99
Colquitt County 165.6698.1146.77140.65236.55150.468.26186.6171.9753.3020.9242.1821.87
Tift County 286.6780.894.3260.69193.4211.3810.23151.0778.8035.0354.0945.8936.00
Berrien County 125.2862.2786.9249.6264.4919.093.61169.8195.0890.6391.4483.9265.75
Brooks County 127.36104.5265.89181.8531.5489.620.0082.1774.5959.3895.7983.8689.72
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Cook County 196.0219.999.3117.0742.4878.970.0010.0383.8143.9941.7741.4613.70
Georgia 176.6428.0430.7355.1949.4890.9772.2740.87114.0055.9259.0549.1845.07
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Lowndes County 141.2036.2338.0660.6226.0233.6342.0741.18116.8645.7856.7550.0337.40
Colquitt County 292.6227.5114.3777.63117.05136.875.9776.2782.0429.8112.3520.749.86
Tift County 506.3722.681.3333.5095.7010.357.3961.7489.8319.5931.9422.5716.22
Berrien County 221.2917.4626.7227.3931.9117.362.6169.40108.3950.6854.0041.2729.63
Brooks County 224.9729.3120.25100.3715.6081.530.0033.5885.0433.2156.5741.2440.43
 
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

Cook County18,12036981,253139141001073346,1885,731
Georgia (in 000's)11,235657968624860116718712343393,7622,329
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Lowndes County122,5896207087,9812,2052309825439351261617846,50530,442
Colquitt County46,936322091,74547910201702817917215,9329,201
Tift County42,35066792,2173701001282211241024012,4037,446
Berrien County18,93936461,6491720052269444,2147,463
Brooks County16,65668301,17127609533823155,7744,585
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Cook County23.620.200.546.920.770.080.060.000.060.040.180.0234.1531.63
Georgia17.640.580.706.112.210.540.100.601.671.090.380.3533.4820.73
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Lowndes County22.200.510.586.511.800.190.080.210.320.420.500.1537.9424.83
Colquitt County19.590.070.453.721.020.220.000.000.150.060.380.3733.9419.60
Tift County19.450.160.195.230.870.240.030.020.520.290.240.0929.2917.58
Berrien County23.010.190.248.710.910.000.000.030.010.140.500.0222.2539.41
Brooks County21.810.410.187.031.660.000.050.320.020.050.140.0934.6727.53
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Cook County 34.3476.78113.2134.7514.4357.770.003.313.5347.836.34101.99152.60
Georgia 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 264.16273.19109.91144.62237.71255.8286.1993.70162.45111.02180.6763.8079.52
Lowndes County 87.4281.99106.5881.4735.0483.6834.6419.2238.21131.9741.72113.30119.81
Colquitt County 11.7963.2260.8646.2340.590.000.368.945.46100.16105.28101.3894.58
Tift County 26.9426.4885.7039.5744.1029.663.1631.2926.7963.2527.1487.4784.83
Berrien County 32.8634.48142.5441.140.000.004.410.6312.56130.356.0766.45190.12
Brooks County 70.5725.57115.1075.060.0056.5653.201.084.3936.2625.87103.53132.82
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Cook County 13.0028.11103.0024.036.0722.580.003.532.1843.083.51159.85191.90
Georgia 37.8636.6090.9869.1542.0739.09116.02106.7361.5690.0855.35156.73125.76
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Lowndes County 33.0930.0196.9756.3414.7432.7140.1920.5123.52118.8723.09177.57150.67
Colquitt County 4.4623.1455.3831.9617.070.000.419.543.3690.2258.27158.89118.94
Tift County 10.209.6977.9727.3618.5511.593.6633.3916.4956.9815.02137.09106.68
Berrien County 12.4412.62129.6928.450.000.005.120.687.73117.413.36104.15239.09
Brooks County 26.729.36104.7251.900.0022.1161.731.152.7132.6714.32162.27167.02


Sources: STI: PopStats