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Howard 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:

15.79

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

Howard County6,5053071930985001834762191,96937
Nebraska (in 000's)2,005631411416930617106182144130
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Hall County62,8572,089193251,33811,4494,2825521,3182,10732541211,132260
Buffalo County51,2541,717138281243,857649943312,98746554512,738487
Merrick County7,85138122342829611334291672,40625
Nance County3,4187670275210820129211,09019
Sherman County3,04262151144601210179231071938
Greeley County2,19467310320015168241869112
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Howard County15.794.720.290.050.001.510.770.000.285.330.950.2930.270.57
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
Hall County12.143.320.310.042.1318.216.810.882.103.350.520.6617.710.41
Buffalo County14.033.350.270.050.247.531.270.180.655.830.911.0624.850.95
Merrick County17.394.850.280.040.053.591.220.010.174.361.160.8530.650.32
Nance County17.262.220.200.000.791.520.030.000.235.880.850.6131.890.56
Sherman County15.412.040.490.030.461.510.000.390.335.880.760.3323.641.25
Greeley County18.823.050.140.050.001.460.000.000.687.661.090.8231.490.55
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Howard County 149.8041.1575.260.0017.8652.000.0033.00101.15107.7828.55137.6438.39
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
Hall County 105.4943.2664.90310.47215.96460.88314.55250.0863.5658.4764.0780.5327.91
Buffalo County 106.3337.9389.1435.2989.2385.6765.6977.02110.51102.60103.94113.0164.12
Merrick County 154.0339.4862.357.4342.5982.734.5619.7582.60131.0883.42139.3621.49
Nance County 70.5828.850.00115.2118.041.980.0027.91111.5195.9560.06145.0137.51
Sherman County 64.6969.4753.6467.1217.930.00141.2939.21111.5885.5032.13107.4884.30
Greeley County 96.9319.2674.370.0017.290.000.0081.54145.20123.7080.20143.2236.91
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Howard County 97.0146.0025.930.0013.5546.800.0019.3599.28155.0523.52382.1819.35
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
Hall County 68.3148.3522.3666.52163.80414.8172.35146.6062.3984.1152.78223.6114.07
Buffalo County 68.8642.4030.717.5667.6777.1015.1145.15108.47147.5985.63313.8032.32
Merrick County 99.7544.1321.481.5932.3074.461.0511.5881.08188.5668.72386.9410.83
Nance County 45.7032.250.0024.6813.681.780.0016.36109.45138.0349.47402.6518.91
Sherman County 41.8977.6518.4814.3813.600.0032.5022.98109.52123.0026.47298.4342.49
Greeley County 62.7721.5325.620.0013.120.000.0047.80142.52177.9666.07397.6618.60
 
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

Howard County6,505636488497421110140403341,180
Nebraska (in 000's)2,0053796150976241117137264374
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Hall County62,8571,6701,9192,9941,4624151774444414310,1698,496
Buffalo County51,2548673,1423,9121,9902451009016193311225,46810,873
Merrick County7,851316488547351150523201344341,902
Nance County3,418482273334780010310138577
Sherman County3,0426481272051641040020190572
Greeley County2,194846441166000200087449
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Howard County15.799.787.507.646.470.020.150.020.060.000.060.005.1318.14
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
Hall County12.142.663.054.762.330.070.010.030.120.710.070.0716.1813.52
Buffalo County14.031.696.137.633.880.480.200.180.310.180.060.2410.6721.21
Merrick County17.394.026.226.974.470.190.000.060.290.250.170.055.5324.23
Nance County17.2614.107.999.772.280.000.000.030.000.090.030.004.0416.88
Sherman County15.4121.304.176.745.390.030.000.130.000.000.070.006.2518.80
Greeley County18.823.832.9218.733.010.000.000.000.090.000.000.003.9720.46
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Howard County 523.64156.36101.93134.475.49177.908.4611.650.009.410.0039.0497.24
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
Hall County 142.2963.6363.5548.3323.319.2114.8922.3184.199.9818.96123.0172.45
Buffalo County 90.60127.77101.8380.67170.85225.7896.6759.5321.639.2565.9981.12113.71
Merrick County 215.57129.5592.9592.8968.290.0035.0655.5230.3625.3314.1242.03129.86
Nance County 755.26166.47130.3747.420.000.0016.110.0010.464.480.0030.7090.49
Sherman County 1,140.8787.0289.91112.0211.750.0072.390.000.0010.060.0047.49100.79
Greeley County 205.0560.80249.9362.500.000.000.0017.280.000.000.0030.15109.70
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Howard County 639.78389.85113.80202.711.2162.902.983.930.0014.550.0024.03110.06
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
Hall County 173.85158.6570.9572.855.123.255.257.5339.7815.4310.8875.7382.01
Buffalo County 110.69318.57113.69121.6137.5679.8334.0620.1010.2214.3137.8549.94128.72
Merrick County 263.38323.01103.78140.0315.010.0012.3518.7514.3539.178.1025.88146.99
Nance County 922.77415.06145.5571.480.000.005.680.004.946.920.0018.90102.43
Sherman County 1,393.91216.95100.38168.862.580.0025.510.000.0015.550.0029.24114.09
Greeley County 250.53151.59279.0294.220.000.000.005.830.000.000.0018.56124.17


Sources: STI: PopStats