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Oliver 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:

28.41

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

Oliver County1,876722420240021293119082
North Dakota (in 000's)79718361521224225122035
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Burleigh County101,5381,8824,1772924691,7412941104152,8316771,21635,407633
Morton County34,3721,5301,1114264941768120867420623514,108107
McLean County9,9311607317020515517754912,62829
Mercer County8,371102208120161330623479973,60952
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Oliver County28.413.841.280.110.001.280.000.001.121.550.160.5948.400.11
North Dakota14.962.304.530.100.622.640.210.230.542.800.601.5325.440.62
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Burleigh County18.251.854.110.290.461.710.290.110.412.790.671.2034.870.62
Morton County21.164.453.230.121.891.210.020.240.611.960.600.6841.050.31
McLean County20.511.617.360.070.002.060.010.050.051.780.540.9226.460.29
Mercer County23.801.222.480.010.241.920.390.000.072.800.941.1643.110.62
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Oliver County 166.7528.22110.630.0048.470.000.00209.1255.2626.7538.27190.2717.21
North Dakota 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 211.3814.01184.58519.95421.28768.07535.35267.20192.07102.8381.0431.14474.69
Burleigh County 80.5390.74298.4275.0564.96135.4247.7876.3599.67111.5478.15137.08100.65
Morton County 193.4071.30126.80306.7845.968.16103.93113.0570.10100.2644.62161.3650.26
McLean County 70.00162.3673.140.0078.204.7122.219.4163.7190.9659.80104.0347.15
Mercer County 52.9454.8112.4038.8272.86184.370.0013.3999.93157.8775.62169.49100.30
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Oliver County 78.89201.4759.930.0011.500.000.0078.2628.7726.0247.22611.123.63
North Dakota 47.31713.9654.1819.2323.7413.0218.6837.4352.0697.25123.39321.1821.07
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Burleigh County 38.10647.83161.6714.4315.4217.638.9228.5851.89108.4796.44440.2921.20
Morton County 91.49509.0268.7059.0010.911.0619.4142.3136.5097.5055.06518.2410.59
McLean County 33.121,159.1839.630.0018.560.614.153.5233.1788.4673.79334.129.93
Mercer County 25.05391.306.727.4717.3024.000.005.0152.03153.5393.31544.3621.13
 
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

Oliver County1,876822550680021300111312
North Dakota (in 000's)797101593829102333379131
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Burleigh County101,5381,05513,8454,3614,9397569180163424912469,78916,157
Morton County34,3722603,6391,9181,963000014152852,7604,207
McLean County9,931351,63426726201311171534673,105
Mercer County8,37157929426368005043415001,436
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Oliver County28.410.4311.992.673.620.000.000.110.050.160.000.005.9216.63
North Dakota14.961.2219.964.763.600.150.060.230.370.430.420.339.8816.45
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Burleigh County18.251.0413.644.294.860.070.070.180.160.420.090.249.6415.91
Morton County21.160.7610.595.585.710.000.000.000.000.040.440.258.0312.24
McLean County20.510.3516.452.692.640.000.010.310.010.170.150.034.7031.27
Mercer County23.800.6811.105.094.400.000.000.060.000.510.050.015.9717.15
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Oliver County 35.0260.0956.03100.670.000.0045.4614.3436.900.000.0059.91101.08
North Dakota 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 125.519.64141.1488.67858.16437.70219.82420.46409.68101.78190.99216.32100.17
Burleigh County 85.3368.3190.29135.0949.80121.7075.5943.1996.3521.5873.5897.6296.71
Morton County 62.1253.04117.31158.610.000.000.000.009.40106.4775.1181.3174.39
McLean County 28.9482.4356.5273.270.0018.03133.102.7139.5036.379.1747.62190.02
Mercer County 55.9255.60106.99122.090.000.0025.470.00118.5211.513.6360.48104.26
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Oliver County 27.90623.2639.70113.530.000.0020.683.419.010.000.0027.70100.91
North Dakota 79.681,037.2670.85112.7811.6522.8545.4923.7824.4198.2552.3646.2399.83
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Burleigh County 67.99708.5763.97152.355.8027.8034.3910.2723.5221.2038.5345.1396.55
Morton County 49.50550.1783.12178.880.000.000.000.002.29104.6139.3337.5974.26
McLean County 23.06855.0340.0582.630.004.1260.550.649.6435.734.8022.01189.70
Mercer County 44.56576.7175.80137.690.000.0011.590.0028.9311.301.9027.96104.08


Sources: STI: PopStats