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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:

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

Ancestry Report Part I
Description	Total Population	American	Native American	Hawaiian	Caribbean (Latino)	Mexican	Central American	South American	Other Hispanic	African American	Sub- Saharan	Caribbean (Black)

Lake County	8,096	439	104	8	0	774	5	2	24	47	0	0
Oregon (in 000's)	4,307	155	40	18	26	495	34	21	29	46	21	12
National (in 000's)	343,251	13,890	2,213	626	11,327	38,879	6,181	4,644	3,687	25,893	7,852	7,174
Washoe County	512,666	12,930	5,656	3,250	4,939	100,352	14,809	3,284	4,861	7,521	2,944	1,629
Deschutes County	213,338	7,466	1,100	259	595	14,764	1,512	722	1,050	480	167	120
Klamath County	70,594	2,724	2,397	99	173	8,022	338	134	417	245	126	103
Harney County	7,390	395	193	0	14	332	3	0	44	3	5	1
Modoc County	8,447	498	327	11	4	1,002	62	69	62	43	12	9

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Lake County	12.71	5.42	1.28	0.10	0.00	9.56	0.06	0.02	0.30	0.58	0.00	0.00
Oregon	9.90	3.60	0.93	0.41	0.61	11.48	0.79	0.49	0.67	1.07	0.48	0.28
National	7.83	4.05	0.64	0.18	3.30	11.33	1.80	1.35	1.07	7.54	2.29	2.09
Washoe County	10.44	2.52	1.10	0.63	0.96	19.57	2.89	0.64	0.95	1.47	0.57	0.32
Deschutes County	10.88	3.50	0.52	0.12	0.28	6.92	0.71	0.34	0.49	0.22	0.08	0.06
Klamath County	11.28	3.86	3.40	0.14	0.25	11.36	0.48	0.19	0.59	0.35	0.18	0.15
Harney County	13.38	5.35	2.61	0.00	0.19	4.49	0.04	0.00	0.60	0.04	0.07	0.01
Modoc County	11.16	5.90	3.87	0.13	0.05	11.86	0.73	0.82	0.73	0.51	0.14	0.11

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Lake County		150.43	137.99	24.27	0.00	83.26	7.79	5.03	44.33	54.06	0.00	0.00
Oregon		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		112.26	69.26	44.81	540.69	98.64	227.22	275.67	160.63	702.51	476.15	758.95
Washoe County		69.97	118.51	155.68	157.85	170.47	364.48	130.52	141.80	136.62	119.53	115.38
Deschutes County		97.09	55.39	29.81	45.70	60.27	89.43	68.96	73.61	20.95	16.29	20.42
Klamath County		107.05	364.73	34.44	40.15	98.96	60.41	38.68	88.34	32.32	37.15	52.98
Harney County		148.28	280.54	0.00	31.04	39.12	5.12	0.00	89.04	3.78	14.08	4.91
Modoc County		163.55	415.84	31.98	7.76	103.31	92.61	166.44	109.77	47.41	29.57	38.69

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Lake County		134.00	199.23	54.15	0.00	84.41	3.43	1.83	27.60	7.70	0.00	0.00
Oregon		89.08	144.38	223.15	18.49	101.38	44.01	36.27	62.26	14.23	21.00	13.18
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Washoe County		62.33	171.10	347.39	29.19	172.82	160.41	47.35	88.28	19.45	25.10	15.20
Deschutes County		86.48	79.97	66.53	8.45	61.10	39.36	25.01	45.82	2.98	3.42	2.69
Klamath County		95.35	526.60	76.85	7.43	100.33	26.59	14.03	55.00	4.60	7.80	6.98
Harney County		132.09	405.04	0.00	5.74	39.66	2.25	0.00	55.43	0.54	2.96	0.65
Modoc County		145.69	600.38	71.36	1.43	104.73	40.76	60.38	68.34	6.75	6.21	5.10

Ancestry Report Part II
Description	Total Population	Canadian	British	Dutch	French	German	Italian	Polish	Scandinavian	Scotish/ Irish	Spanish	Other European

Lake County	8,096	28	824	72	108	909	81	68	307	1,027	10	170
Oregon (in 000's)	4,307	20	347	37	59	415	80	36	199	336	23	192
National (in 000's)	343,251	1,350	18,069	1,828	3,642	24,708	9,027	4,667	5,969	20,625	1,140	9,563
Washoe County	512,666	1,994	31,706	2,681	6,620	32,814	15,675	4,057	13,853	32,723	3,969	17,944
Deschutes County	213,338	1,693	23,721	2,200	3,641	26,213	5,286	2,363	12,628	22,164	1,039	11,202
Klamath County	70,594	392	6,854	610	1,308	6,476	1,345	381	2,931	6,444	475	2,048
Harney County	7,390	74	595	89	169	944	58	109	301	650	70	194
Modoc County	8,447	18	730	97	124	914	170	13	167	828	82	167

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Lake County	12.71	0.35	10.18	0.89	1.33	11.23	1.00	0.84	3.79	12.69	0.12	2.10
Oregon	9.90	0.47	8.06	0.87	1.37	9.64	1.86	0.84	4.61	7.79	0.54	4.47
National	7.83	0.39	5.26	0.53	1.06	7.20	2.63	1.36	1.74	6.01	0.33	2.79
Washoe County	10.44	0.39	6.18	0.52	1.29	6.40	3.06	0.79	2.70	6.38	0.77	3.50
Deschutes County	10.88	0.79	11.12	1.03	1.71	12.29	2.48	1.11	5.92	10.39	0.49	5.25
Klamath County	11.28	0.56	9.71	0.86	1.85	9.17	1.91	0.54	4.15	9.13	0.67	2.90
Harney County	13.38	1.00	8.05	1.20	2.29	12.77	0.78	1.47	4.07	8.80	0.95	2.63
Modoc County	11.16	0.21	8.64	1.15	1.47	10.82	2.01	0.15	1.98	9.80	0.97	1.98

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Lake County		74.06	126.21	102.64	97.31	116.50	53.80	100.07	82.19	162.81	23.07	47.01
Oregon		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		84.23	65.28	61.47	77.39	74.69	141.41	161.99	37.69	77.12	62.04	62.38
Washoe County		83.29	76.69	60.36	94.20	66.41	164.40	94.29	58.57	81.92	144.59	78.37
Deschutes County		169.94	137.88	119.02	124.50	127.49	133.23	131.97	128.30	133.34	90.96	117.56
Klamath County		118.91	120.40	99.73	135.16	95.18	102.45	64.30	89.99	117.16	125.67	64.95
Harney County		214.43	99.84	139.00	166.82	132.54	42.20	175.74	88.28	112.89	176.91	58.78
Modoc County		45.63	107.17	132.54	107.08	112.27	108.21	18.34	42.85	125.81	181.30	44.26

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Lake County		87.93	193.35	166.99	125.73	155.98	38.04	61.78	218.08	211.12	37.18	75.37
Oregon		118.72	153.19	162.69	129.21	133.89	70.72	61.73	265.32	129.67	161.18	160.31
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Washoe County		98.88	117.49	98.20	121.71	88.92	116.26	58.20	155.40	106.23	233.06	125.63
Deschutes County		201.75	211.23	193.64	160.86	170.69	94.21	81.47	340.41	172.90	146.61	188.46
Klamath County		141.17	184.44	162.26	174.64	127.44	72.44	39.70	238.77	151.92	202.55	104.13
Harney County		254.57	152.95	226.14	215.55	177.46	29.84	108.49	234.24	146.38	285.15	94.22
Modoc County		54.17	164.17	215.63	138.36	150.32	76.52	11.32	113.70	163.14	292.23	70.96

Ancestry Report Part III
Description	Total Population	Chinese	Filipino	Japanese	Korean	Vietnamese	South Central Asian	South East Asian	Other Asian	Middle Eastern	Other Ancestry	Unknown

Lake County	8,096	3	0	0	0	0	24	4	6	0	1,247	1,805
Oregon (in 000's)	4,307	42	23	14	17	31	32	21	14	20	685	767
National (in 000's)	343,251	4,461	3,010	793	1,541	1,913	5,452	1,643	1,229	1,931	47,322	51,000
Washoe County	512,666	3,927	11,827	1,508	1,166	1,916	4,970	2,378	1,193	1,987	93,894	61,689
Deschutes County	213,338	706	376	350	321	130	172	190	190	581	26,490	43,447
Klamath County	70,594	101	84	88	41	13	84	71	176	174	11,150	14,570
Harney County	7,390	0	9	3	0	0	3	1	1	2	1,209	1,919
Modoc County	8,447	9	20	5	2	0	0	36	1	10	1,634	1,321

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Lake County	12.71	0.04	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.30	0.05	0.07	0.00	15.40	22.29
Oregon	9.90	0.98	0.53	0.33	0.39	0.72	0.73	0.49	0.32	0.47	15.90	17.82
National	7.83	1.30	0.88	0.23	0.45	0.56	1.59	0.48	0.36	0.56	13.79	14.86
Washoe County	10.44	0.77	2.31	0.29	0.23	0.37	0.97	0.46	0.23	0.39	18.31	12.03
Deschutes County	10.88	0.33	0.18	0.16	0.15	0.06	0.08	0.09	0.09	0.27	12.42	20.37
Klamath County	11.28	0.14	0.12	0.12	0.06	0.02	0.12	0.10	0.25	0.25	15.79	20.64
Harney County	13.38	0.00	0.12	0.04	0.00	0.00	0.04	0.01	0.01	0.03	16.36	25.97
Modoc County	11.16	0.11	0.24	0.06	0.02	0.00	0.00	0.43	0.01	0.12	19.34	15.64

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Lake County		3.79	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	40.49	10.12	23.38	0.00	96.89	125.11
Oregon		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		132.83	164.59	70.91	114.97	77.16	216.96	98.07	112.99	120.89	86.72	83.37
Washoe County		78.29	432.96	90.30	58.23	51.75	132.42	95.04	73.41	83.30	115.21	67.52
Deschutes County		33.82	33.08	50.37	38.53	8.44	11.01	18.25	28.10	58.53	78.11	114.28
Klamath County		14.62	22.33	38.27	14.87	2.55	16.25	20.61	78.65	52.98	99.35	115.81
Harney County		0.00	22.86	12.46	0.00	0.00	5.55	2.77	4.27	5.82	102.91	145.71
Modoc County		10.89	44.44	18.17	6.06	0.00	0.00	87.32	3.73	25.44	121.68	87.75

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Lake County		2.85	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	18.66	10.32	20.69	0.00	111.72	150.05
Oregon		75.29	60.76	141.02	86.98	129.60	46.09	101.97	88.50	82.72	115.31	119.94
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Washoe County		58.94	263.05	127.35	50.65	67.06	61.04	96.91	64.97	68.91	132.85	80.99
Deschutes County		25.46	20.10	71.03	33.51	10.93	5.08	18.61	24.87	48.42	90.07	137.07
Klamath County		11.01	13.57	53.97	12.93	3.30	7.49	21.01	69.61	43.82	114.57	138.91
Harney County		0.00	13.89	17.57	0.00	0.00	2.56	2.83	3.78	4.81	118.67	174.77
Modoc County		8.20	27.00	25.63	5.27	0.00	0.00	89.04	3.31	21.05	140.31	105.25

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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