Ersys Logo Ersys Name
Baker 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:

14.56

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

Baker County16,8157771491427046101041,7362044981,858212
Oregon (in 000's)4,309165391725470301851336406543685
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Malheur County32,26685836943359,85749119571,6962343471,854320
Union County26,6001,732171405731,01025891792,7162393963,444312
Washington County11,121560775371,69501659651041001,08595
Wallowa County7,803573483562135010871118142999113
Grant County7,361967581071700211075190118892176
Adams County4,9144653108841309144876107612115
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Baker County14.564.620.890.080.014.190.040.060.6210.321.212.9611.051.26
Oregon10.483.830.910.400.5810.900.690.411.177.790.931.5010.121.97
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Malheur County17.832.661.140.130.1130.550.150.032.975.260.731.085.750.99
Union County13.676.510.641.520.273.800.090.330.6710.210.901.4912.951.17
Washington County13.195.040.690.040.3315.240.000.010.588.680.940.909.760.85
Wallowa County12.807.340.620.040.722.730.060.000.1311.161.511.8212.801.45
Grant County12.9213.140.790.140.102.310.000.031.4910.201.221.6012.122.39
Adams County12.649.460.630.000.161.710.260.001.859.121.552.1812.452.34
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Baker County 120.6097.0020.862.0638.405.1614.4352.66132.52130.12197.82109.2364.12
Oregon 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 126.9869.5144.57555.07101.99237.50294.50121.7868.9765.9382.9578.29149.53
Malheur County 69.40125.1933.4018.81280.1821.968.27252.5467.4777.7871.8356.8050.44
Union County 169.9470.37381.5447.6034.8213.5981.1857.30131.0696.3799.44127.9959.66
Washington County 131.4275.7911.2757.71139.780.002.1849.77111.38100.3060.0696.4443.45
Wallowa County 191.6667.349.63124.4825.049.270.0010.91143.28162.19121.55126.5673.65
Grant County 342.8686.2534.0416.4921.180.006.59127.24130.95131.13107.07119.79121.60
Adams County 246.9769.060.0028.2415.6838.260.00157.68117.02165.88145.44123.11119.02
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Baker County 94.98139.5546.810.3737.652.174.9043.24192.15197.37238.49139.5242.88
Oregon 78.75143.86224.3418.0298.0542.1133.9682.11145.00151.68120.56127.7366.88
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Malheur County 54.66180.1074.923.39274.729.252.81207.3797.83117.9886.6072.5533.73
Union County 133.84101.24855.978.5834.155.7227.5647.05190.04146.17119.88163.4839.90
Washington County 103.50109.0425.2810.40137.060.000.7440.86161.50152.1372.41123.1929.06
Wallowa County 150.9496.8721.6122.4324.553.900.008.96207.75246.01146.54161.6549.26
Grant County 270.02124.0876.372.9720.770.002.24104.48189.89198.90129.09153.0081.33
Adams County 194.5099.350.005.0915.3716.110.00129.47169.68251.60175.34157.2579.60
 
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

Baker County16,815699121,5597843245715172,2084,947
Oregon (in 000's)4,3093720934620740142035671620771751
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Malheur County32,266545921,6625582121820188120216,3716,000
Union County26,6001501,2962,218693743426616917354,1976,939
Washington County11,121274671,0173874291015292,1102,264
Wallowa County7,80320502829366101821011,0491,854
Grant County7,36131386630272308167658291,817
Adams County4,9146625760419700000555161,214
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Baker County14.560.415.429.274.660.020.140.030.040.090.010.0413.1329.42
Oregon10.480.854.858.034.790.920.320.460.821.560.370.4817.8917.44
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Malheur County17.830.171.835.151.730.070.680.060.060.250.060.0719.7518.60
Union County13.670.564.878.342.610.280.130.100.230.260.060.1315.7826.09
Washington County13.190.244.209.143.480.040.260.010.000.130.020.0818.9720.36
Wallowa County12.800.266.4310.624.690.010.000.010.100.270.000.0113.4423.76
Grant County12.920.425.248.563.700.040.000.110.220.100.080.0711.2624.68
Adams County12.641.345.2312.294.010.000.000.000.000.000.100.1010.5024.70
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Baker County 48.15111.74115.4297.241.9344.966.495.095.711.598.7673.38168.74
Oregon 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 179.3239.6483.5866.59137.6476.99112.43191.17113.57112.83132.28119.3994.53
Malheur County 19.6437.8064.1236.077.04212.8313.526.8216.0616.5413.69110.34106.65
Union County 66.17100.38103.8054.3430.0840.2621.3228.0516.5917.0627.6888.17149.62
Washington County 28.4986.51113.8472.583.8982.141.960.008.634.8017.02106.03116.76
Wallowa County 30.08132.54132.2697.831.390.002.8012.5417.210.002.7075.13136.27
Grant County 49.42108.03106.5577.074.410.0023.7026.596.0821.7614.2962.94141.57
Adams County 157.60107.75153.0283.610.000.000.000.000.0027.1621.4058.68141.69
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Baker County 26.85281.85138.10146.041.4058.405.772.665.021.416.6261.47178.51
Oregon 55.77252.24119.65150.1872.65129.8988.9452.3188.0588.6375.6083.76105.79
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Malheur County 10.9595.3476.7254.175.11276.4412.023.5714.1414.6610.3592.43112.83
Union County 36.90253.19124.2081.6021.8652.3018.9614.6714.6115.1220.9273.86158.28
Washington County 15.89218.22136.21109.002.83106.701.740.007.604.2512.8788.81123.52
Wallowa County 16.77334.32158.25146.911.010.002.496.5615.160.002.0462.93144.16
Grant County 27.56272.50127.48115.743.200.0021.0813.915.3619.2810.8052.72149.77
Adams County 87.89271.78183.08125.570.000.000.000.000.0024.0716.1849.15149.90


Sources: STI: PopStats