Ersys Logo Ersys Name
Taos County – Ancestry

Picture of valves

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:

20.60

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

Other Hispanic

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

Taos County35,0372591,7862496,6171743911,62196944210941267
New Mexico (in 000's)2,1414018011764387369656116618
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Rio Arriba County40,9532125,87651086,2632342021,847117132817835
Colfax County12,6022001129311,9091204,0263867793534216
Conejos County7,704117593301,5357712,323316353123971
Mora County4,1283311019560002,75914016184
Costilla County3,566562902966011,1136641211511
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Taos County20.600.745.100.010.1418.890.500.1133.172.770.130.602.690.76
New Mexico17.061.898.420.070.7830.040.390.3217.243.040.260.513.070.83
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Rio Arriba County34.350.5214.350.010.2615.290.570.0553.350.290.030.070.430.09
Colfax County18.731.590.890.070.2515.150.100.0031.953.060.610.744.241.71
Conejos County18.991.520.770.040.3919.921.000.0130.154.100.450.403.100.92
Mora County48.380.800.270.000.4613.570.000.0066.840.340.000.390.440.10
Costilla County22.341.570.810.000.0627.090.000.0331.211.850.110.343.220.31
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Taos County 39.0960.518.7718.0362.88128.7234.49192.4190.8347.63118.4287.4791.33
New Mexico 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 257.257.54273.21412.6537.02425.65376.138.30176.47233.16245.36257.93352.37
Rio Arriba County 27.37170.3218.7534.0150.92148.1015.13309.479.3812.0413.5114.1610.24
Colfax County 83.9210.55109.7031.7250.4324.680.00185.33100.60231.76145.81138.00205.43
Conejos County 80.309.0959.8150.2166.34259.054.02174.92134.72172.3279.50101.03110.46
Mora County 42.273.160.0059.3545.170.000.00387.7211.140.0076.5814.2011.61
Costilla County 83.049.650.007.2390.190.008.69181.0660.7942.5566.49105.0336.97
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Taos County 15.19802.753.214.37169.8430.249.172,318.9751.4720.4348.2633.9125.92
New Mexico 38.871,326.6636.6024.23270.1023.4926.591,205.2356.6742.8940.7638.7728.38
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Rio Arriba County 10.642,259.556.868.24137.5334.794.023,729.805.325.165.515.492.91
Colfax County 32.62139.9640.157.69136.235.800.002,233.6457.0199.4059.4353.5058.30
Conejos County 31.22120.6021.8912.17179.1860.861.072,108.2076.3473.9132.4039.1731.35
Mora County 16.4341.960.0014.38122.000.000.004,672.956.310.0031.215.513.30
Costilla County 32.28128.070.001.75243.610.002.312,182.1934.4518.2527.1040.7210.49
 
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

Taos County35,037853791,18544110211637826198,0011,750
New Mexico (in 000's)2,141819643062461344401150
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Rio Arriba County40,95328391396313024161501904,944582
Colfax County12,60241110586236000112916322,7351,201
Conejos County7,704717018210300109331,643746
Mora County4,1280151810000007055589
Costilla County3,5663337150039701200771205
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Taos County20.600.241.083.381.260.030.060.000.180.220.070.0522.844.99
New Mexico17.060.350.873.001.420.280.080.170.290.610.180.1818.717.01
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Rio Arriba County34.350.070.100.340.150.030.000.060.040.370.050.0012.071.42
Colfax County18.730.330.874.651.870.000.000.000.090.230.130.2521.709.53
Conejos County18.990.092.212.361.340.000.000.010.000.120.040.0421.339.68
Mora County48.380.000.360.440.240.000.000.000.000.000.170.0013.442.16
Costilla County22.340.080.931.991.400.001.090.200.000.340.000.0021.625.75
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Taos County 68.36123.97112.7288.6810.2679.611.6961.9236.5641.4030.73122.0771.24
New Mexico 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 430.60220.54223.75224.94457.71324.63305.34538.12291.59235.83356.39114.20235.08
Rio Arriba County 19.2610.9111.3110.8411.420.0034.7113.4560.1525.880.0064.5320.27
Colfax County 91.67100.04154.97131.940.000.000.0030.0637.7970.83143.91116.02135.94
Conejos County 25.60252.8978.7394.200.000.007.690.0019.1921.7222.07114.00138.12
Mora County 0.0041.6414.5317.070.000.000.000.000.0094.600.0071.8730.75
Costilla County 23.70106.0666.3698.790.001,452.67116.270.0055.260.000.00115.5882.00
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Taos County 15.8756.2150.3839.422.2424.520.5511.5112.5417.558.62106.8930.31
New Mexico 23.2245.3444.6944.4621.8530.8032.7518.5834.2942.4028.0687.5742.54
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Rio Arriba County 4.474.955.064.822.490.0011.372.5020.6310.980.0056.518.62
Colfax County 21.2945.3669.2658.660.000.000.005.5912.9630.0340.38101.5957.82
Conejos County 5.95114.6735.1941.880.000.002.520.006.589.216.1999.8358.75
Mora County 0.0018.886.497.590.000.000.000.000.0040.110.0062.9313.08
Costilla County 5.5148.0929.6643.920.00447.4938.080.0018.950.000.00101.2134.88


Sources: STI: PopStats