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Wilkes 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:

17.96

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

Wilkes County66,69319,0667037162,456806235635,5523246033,423507
North Carolina (in 000's)11,050978102720160617685728335194648210
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Iredell County204,66616,787435572,5488,8902,4791,7441,15015,1001,9842,38317,8736,696
Caldwell County81,43921,394165155072,5011,2332575176,0687395006,626708
Surry County72,20915,0949576796,787355775686,1773355103,110618
Watauga County54,9807,16158106221,7001362052146,7463037025,0361,062
Yadkin County38,2015,879600353,708308352153,4571981932,550269
Alexander County37,11010,0671120731,45877661692,3613082523,646342
Ashe County27,9608,6484382391,0739288192,1871272251,911515
Alleghany County11,7223,4602751449401394411,09765107594124
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Wilkes County17.9628.590.100.001.073.681.210.030.848.320.490.905.130.76
North Carolina14.328.850.920.061.825.481.590.770.657.540.460.855.861.90
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Iredell County13.358.200.210.031.244.341.210.850.567.380.971.168.733.27
Caldwell County16.1526.270.200.020.623.071.510.320.637.450.910.618.140.87
Surry County16.3720.900.130.010.949.400.490.110.798.550.460.714.310.86
Watauga County12.3613.020.110.021.133.090.250.370.3912.270.551.289.161.93
Yadkin County16.6315.390.160.000.099.710.810.090.569.050.520.516.680.70
Alexander County16.7127.130.300.000.203.930.210.180.466.360.830.689.820.92
Ashe County17.7730.930.150.030.853.840.330.310.077.820.450.806.831.84
Alleghany County16.7729.520.230.041.238.021.190.030.359.360.550.915.071.06
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wilkes County 322.9011.367.1059.0467.1675.834.50130.15110.42105.42106.1887.5640.05
North Carolina 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 54.9568.75280.96175.98202.81103.04158.45220.5271.27133.39145.84135.11154.87
Iredell County 92.6423.0143.9968.4679.2276.00111.2386.6397.86210.36136.74148.98172.34
Caldwell County 296.7221.9429.0934.2456.0195.0041.1997.8898.83196.9272.10138.8045.80
Surry County 236.1014.2415.3151.71171.4230.8513.92121.28113.46100.6882.9573.4745.08
Watauga County 147.1111.4228.7362.2156.3915.5248.6760.01162.74119.59149.95156.26101.75
Yadkin County 173.8217.000.005.04177.0350.5911.9686.77120.03112.4859.33113.8837.09
Alexander County 306.4032.680.0010.8271.6513.0223.2270.2184.39180.1179.75167.6148.55
Ashe County 349.3516.6545.1947.0169.9920.6541.0910.48103.7598.5794.51116.6097.03
Alleghany County 333.3924.9467.3767.56146.2574.404.4553.93124.13120.33107.2086.4555.72
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wilkes County 587.6116.532.5333.5533.1273.592.8459.02154.9479.0372.8164.8025.86
North Carolina 181.98145.4535.5956.8249.3197.0563.1145.35140.3274.9768.5774.0164.57
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Iredell County 168.5933.4715.6638.9039.0673.7670.2039.29137.32157.7093.76110.26111.28
Caldwell County 539.9731.9110.3519.4527.6292.1926.0044.39138.68147.6249.44102.7329.57
Surry County 429.6620.725.4529.3884.5229.948.7855.00159.2175.4756.8754.3829.11
Watauga County 267.7216.6110.2335.3527.8115.0630.7227.21228.3789.66102.82115.6565.70
Yadkin County 316.3324.730.002.8687.2949.097.5539.35168.4384.3240.6884.2823.95
Alexander County 557.5947.530.006.1535.3312.6314.6531.84118.41135.0254.68124.0531.35
Ashe County 635.7524.2216.0926.7134.5120.0425.934.75145.5873.8964.8086.3062.65
Alleghany County 606.7136.2723.9838.3972.1172.212.8124.45174.1890.2173.5163.9835.98
 
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

Wilkes County66,6932003305,2109922738106602457478,78116,709
North Carolina (in 000's)11,05089988612814982713610034432,9302,333
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Iredell County204,6662,3021,76719,4795,5894024525051,8181,64346486142,20849,050
Caldwell County81,4392205907,8961,307782312845801411411,83917,848
Surry County72,2092142654,8071,015380153016015112911,88419,089
Watauga County54,9805751,0857,5932,70621625772281671271376,20511,884
Yadkin County38,2012171182,8964100030226176,25411,306
Alexander County37,1101993643,251392580146920373355,1758,346
Ashe County27,9601671842,5787140312117816212,7156,286
Alleghany County11,7222469761201071014401,5292,365
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Wilkes County17.960.300.497.811.490.040.060.160.090.040.090.0713.1725.05
North Carolina14.320.810.887.792.540.440.070.251.230.910.310.3926.5121.11
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Iredell County13.351.120.869.522.730.200.220.250.890.800.230.4220.6223.97
Caldwell County16.150.270.729.701.600.100.030.160.060.100.170.0214.5421.92
Surry County16.370.300.376.661.410.050.000.020.040.220.210.1816.4626.44
Watauga County12.361.051.9713.814.920.390.050.140.410.300.230.2511.2921.62
Yadkin County16.630.570.317.581.070.000.000.010.000.060.160.0216.3729.60
Alexander County16.710.540.988.761.060.160.000.040.190.550.200.0913.9522.49
Ashe County17.770.600.669.222.550.000.010.040.040.280.060.089.7122.48
Alleghany County16.770.200.596.491.710.000.060.010.000.120.030.0013.0420.18
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wilkes County 37.2456.00100.2958.579.1576.4864.717.313.9727.5018.0649.66118.69
North Carolina 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 189.77217.8086.20125.73287.78328.07209.90127.04195.98136.03161.1880.5878.08
Iredell County 139.6797.71122.19107.5444.41296.45100.4772.2188.6172.95107.8377.79113.53
Caldwell County 33.5582.00124.4863.2021.6637.9164.004.4910.8455.714.4154.83103.82
Surry County 36.8041.5485.4755.3511.900.008.463.3824.4667.2945.7962.08125.23
Watauga County 129.87223.35177.31193.8288.8361.0457.0233.7133.5374.3363.8742.57102.40
Yadkin County 70.5434.9697.3342.270.000.003.200.006.3651.394.7061.75140.21
Alexander County 66.59111.01112.4741.6035.340.0015.3615.1260.3863.3024.1752.60106.54
Ashe County 74.1774.48118.38100.560.0014.4017.483.2030.7918.4119.2536.63106.51
Alleghany County 25.4266.6283.3567.530.0080.163.470.0013.1810.980.0049.2095.58
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wilkes County 19.6225.71116.3646.593.1823.3130.835.762.0320.2211.2161.63152.01
North Carolina 52.7045.91116.0279.5434.7530.4847.6478.7151.0373.5162.04124.10128.08
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Iredell County 73.6044.87141.7685.5315.4390.3647.8656.8445.2153.6366.9096.53145.41
Caldwell County 17.6837.65144.4150.277.5311.5630.493.545.5340.962.7368.05132.97
Surry County 19.3919.0799.1644.034.130.004.032.6612.4849.4728.4177.04160.40
Watauga County 68.44102.55205.71154.1630.8718.6127.1726.5417.1154.6439.6352.83131.15
Yadkin County 37.1716.05112.9233.620.000.001.520.003.2437.772.9176.63179.57
Alexander County 35.0950.97130.4933.0912.280.007.3211.9030.8146.5315.0065.28136.46
Ashe County 39.0834.20137.3479.980.004.398.332.5215.7113.5411.9445.45136.41
Alleghany County 13.4030.5996.7053.710.0024.431.650.006.738.070.0061.06122.42


Sources: STI: PopStats