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Boone 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:

19.83

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

German

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

Boone County5,3942021300130253831087331,96422
Nebraska (in 000's)2,005631411416930617106182144130
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Madison County36,1311,00233884844,583108164681,46318926710,567182
Platte County35,1798119195614,9511,533162951,1611982199,166146
Antelope County6,28535913015189107627357432,40419
Nance County3,4187670275210820129211,09019
Greeley County2,19467310320015168241869112
Wheeler County774221038001456113102
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Boone County19.833.740.240.000.002.410.460.060.155.751.610.6136.410.41
Nebraska12.293.150.710.060.698.431.480.280.845.270.881.0221.991.48
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Madison County15.972.770.940.021.3412.680.300.041.304.050.520.7429.250.50
Platte County13.412.310.260.031.5914.074.360.460.273.300.560.6226.060.42
Antelope County22.335.710.210.000.243.010.160.110.104.340.910.6838.250.30
Nance County17.262.220.200.000.791.520.030.000.235.880.850.6131.890.56
Greeley County18.823.050.140.050.001.460.000.000.687.661.090.8231.490.55
Wheeler County21.762.840.130.000.391.030.000.000.135.810.781.4240.050.26
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boone County 118.8733.950.000.0028.5831.3619.9217.69108.98182.4059.80165.5727.52
Nebraska 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 154.4289.46290.25466.75131.85111.10434.78170.58101.8969.51121.3936.01198.41
Madison County 88.02131.7936.13195.38150.4020.2215.86154.4876.7859.1572.24132.9933.99
Platte County 73.1736.4441.75232.59166.87294.82164.9432.2162.5863.6560.85118.4828.01
Antelope County 181.3029.140.0034.8135.6610.7639.8911.3982.37102.5666.88173.9320.40
Nance County 70.5828.850.00115.2118.041.980.0027.91111.5195.9560.06145.0137.51
Greeley County 96.9319.2674.370.0017.290.000.0081.54145.20123.7080.20143.2236.91
Wheeler County 90.2218.200.0056.5312.260.000.0015.41110.2587.66138.92182.1317.44
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boone County 76.9737.950.000.0021.6728.224.5810.37106.96262.3949.27459.7313.87
Nebraska 64.76111.7834.4521.4275.8590.0123.0058.6298.15143.8682.38277.6750.40
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Madison County 57.00147.3212.4541.86114.0718.203.6590.5675.3685.1059.51369.2717.13
Platte County 47.3940.7414.3849.83126.56265.3537.9418.8861.4291.5650.13328.9814.12
Antelope County 117.4132.570.007.4627.049.699.186.6780.84147.5455.09482.9510.28
Nance County 45.7032.250.0024.6813.681.780.0016.36109.45138.0349.47402.6518.91
Greeley County 62.7721.5325.620.0013.120.000.0047.80142.52177.9666.07397.6618.60
Wheeler County 58.4220.350.0012.119.290.000.009.03108.21126.11114.44505.708.79
 
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

Boone County5,39421640342622410405001901,128
Nebraska (in 000's)2,0053796150976241117137264374
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Madison County36,1312481,4291,6781,2642566342102200265,0676,306
Platte County35,1792,0781,4271,5241,8371205115267364,3074,684
Antelope County6,2853531543915540107274031,522
Nance County3,418482273334780010310138577
Greeley County2,194846441166000200087449
Wheeler County77425639429000001024129
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Boone County19.834.007.477.904.150.020.000.070.000.090.000.003.5220.91
Nebraska12.291.874.807.504.810.280.090.180.530.840.650.3613.1518.66
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Madison County15.970.693.964.643.500.070.020.170.120.280.550.0714.0217.45
Platte County13.415.914.064.335.220.030.000.140.000.150.190.1012.2413.31
Antelope County22.330.565.016.982.470.060.000.020.000.110.030.116.4124.22
Nance County17.2614.107.999.772.280.000.000.030.000.090.030.004.0416.88
Greeley County18.823.832.9218.733.010.000.000.000.090.000.000.003.9720.46
Wheeler County21.763.238.1412.143.750.000.000.000.000.000.130.003.1016.67
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boone County 214.47155.72105.3786.296.630.0040.820.0011.050.000.0026.78112.10
Nebraska 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 81.8540.1189.5766.34454.91282.83283.79296.16211.6364.68174.33162.4488.34
Madison County 36.7682.4361.9672.6924.7319.2295.9922.0333.6584.6919.95106.6393.55
Platte County 316.3684.5557.80108.5012.190.0079.810.5417.6229.1428.3793.0971.37
Antelope County 29.83104.4693.1951.2422.750.008.760.0013.274.8730.8848.76129.81
Nance County 755.26166.47130.3747.420.000.0016.110.0010.464.480.0030.7090.49
Greeley County 205.0560.80249.9362.500.000.000.0017.280.000.000.0030.15109.70
Wheeler County 172.99169.65162.0377.850.000.000.000.000.0019.770.0023.5889.34
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boone County 262.04388.25117.63130.071.460.0014.380.005.220.000.0016.49126.88
Nebraska 122.18249.33111.64150.7421.9835.3635.2433.7747.25154.6257.3661.56113.19
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Madison County 44.91205.5369.18109.585.446.7933.827.4415.90130.9511.4465.65105.90
Platte County 386.53210.8064.53163.562.680.0028.120.188.3245.0516.2757.3180.79
Antelope County 36.44260.45104.0477.255.000.003.090.006.277.5317.7130.01146.93
Nance County 922.77415.06145.5571.480.000.005.680.004.946.920.0018.90102.43
Greeley County 250.53151.59279.0294.220.000.000.005.830.000.000.0018.56124.17
Wheeler County 211.36422.98180.89117.350.000.000.000.000.0030.560.0014.51101.13


Sources: STI: PopStats