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Choctaw 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:

9.08

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

Choctaw County12,2211,32631021773746508222012431
Alabama (in 000's)5,20355221240162431417359153417847
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68718,0691,8283,64224,7089,027
Lauderdale County71,3255,035111322431,161128139823,696664071,218413
Clarke County22,5241,369701461183602975218158189124
Wayne County19,7642,45428302082670101,026133413923
Marengo County18,5501,31441492693393245235613547
Clarke County15,3181,700125118624013951415315045
Washington County15,3041,6291,0732017100965214226737
Sumter County11,8216222942633035189620439
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Choctaw County9.0810.850.250.000.170.060.060.300.384.160.180.161.010.25
Alabama8.9110.610.410.050.773.120.820.280.336.890.290.653.420.90
National7.154.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.075.260.531.067.202.63
Lauderdale County6.337.060.160.040.341.630.180.190.115.180.090.571.710.58
Clarke County8.546.080.310.000.200.520.160.000.133.340.080.700.840.55
Wayne County8.2812.420.140.020.001.051.350.000.055.190.070.170.700.12
Marengo County5.547.080.020.010.261.450.020.210.172.440.020.300.730.25
Clarke County10.4011.100.080.030.070.560.160.000.086.210.270.350.980.29
Washington County13.0110.647.010.010.001.120.000.000.064.260.010.271.740.24
Sumter County2.245.260.250.030.220.280.000.030.430.750.050.170.360.08
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Choctaw County 102.2861.420.0022.461.846.95109.30114.8460.3362.2825.3429.6528.13
Alabama 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 38.15156.12389.80431.33363.02218.48488.45327.7076.40184.25164.30210.38291.63
Lauderdale County 66.5437.6895.8344.5352.1721.7770.3635.0875.2032.0188.3749.9164.21
Clarke County 57.2975.259.4826.6916.7919.390.0039.2848.4527.65108.6324.5261.05
Wayne County 117.0434.3032.420.0033.73163.900.0015.4475.3422.7626.6420.5512.90
Marengo County 66.775.2211.5234.5346.481.9675.9052.6335.365.6046.7521.2728.10
Clarke County 104.6118.9769.729.3917.9919.010.0025.8990.1092.6053.5828.6232.58
Washington County 100.341,697.5827.920.0035.810.000.0017.9461.832.2642.5050.9926.81
Sumter County 49.6059.4072.2828.758.950.009.16131.6310.9317.5626.2010.638.44
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Choctaw County 268.1339.340.005.210.513.1822.3835.0478.9733.8015.4214.109.65
Alabama 262.1664.0525.6523.1827.5545.7720.4730.52130.9054.2760.8647.5334.29
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Lauderdale County 174.4524.1424.5910.3214.379.9714.4010.7098.4417.3853.7823.7222.02
Clarke County 150.2048.202.436.194.638.880.0011.9963.4215.0166.1211.6620.93
Wayne County 306.8321.978.320.009.2975.020.004.7198.6212.3516.219.774.42
Marengo County 175.053.342.958.0012.800.9015.5416.0646.293.0428.4510.119.63
Clarke County 274.2512.1517.892.184.968.700.007.90117.9450.2632.6113.6011.17
Washington County 263.041,087.377.160.009.860.000.005.4880.931.2325.8724.249.19
Sumter County 130.0338.0518.546.672.460.001.8840.1714.309.5315.955.052.89
 
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

Choctaw County12,22152842643000160032,0202,695
Alabama (in 000's)5,20315283247515314186698061,073
National (in 000's)343,2514,6675,96920,6259,5634,4617931,5415,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Lauderdale County71,32592923,5116099419717159877612,00311,077
Clarke County22,524417600414500110805,4373,294
Wayne County19,76475587265100201273,6443,382
Marengo County18,550342242396000450803,4112,281
Clarke County15,31885862171000120303,4452,884
Washington County15,30403677081220000463,9353,169
Sumter County11,8213912536672004461,430809
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Choctaw County9.080.040.233.490.350.000.000.000.130.000.000.0216.5322.05
Alabama8.910.290.546.231.440.290.060.260.350.110.110.1715.4920.61
National7.151.361.746.012.791.300.230.451.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Lauderdale County6.330.130.134.920.850.130.030.010.240.080.120.1116.8315.53
Clarke County8.540.020.082.660.180.200.000.000.050.000.040.0024.1414.62
Wayne County8.280.040.032.971.340.010.000.000.010.000.060.0418.4417.11
Marengo County5.540.180.122.280.520.000.000.000.240.000.040.0018.3912.30
Clarke County10.400.050.384.050.460.000.000.000.080.000.020.0022.4918.83
Washington County13.010.000.245.030.530.140.000.000.000.000.030.0425.7120.71
Sumter County2.240.030.081.060.300.570.020.000.000.030.030.0512.106.84
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Choctaw County 14.1842.7555.9624.440.000.000.0037.190.000.0014.08106.68106.99
Alabama 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 471.23324.4596.46193.53443.51392.78171.03451.20433.51334.48322.6888.9872.09
Lauderdale County 44.7124.0779.0259.3144.9745.303.7468.1174.92113.9161.13108.6275.35
Clarke County 6.1614.0842.7612.6468.180.000.0013.870.0033.170.00155.8070.95
Wayne County 12.284.7247.6893.131.730.000.002.870.0056.7020.32119.0083.02
Marengo County 63.5322.1336.6135.950.000.000.0068.910.0040.270.00118.6859.66
Clarke County 18.1070.6565.0832.200.000.000.0022.250.0018.290.00145.1691.34
Washington County 0.0043.8980.7736.7649.060.000.000.000.0024.4122.49165.95100.46
Sumter County 8.8014.2116.9821.15193.4228.770.000.0030.6531.6029.1278.0833.20
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Choctaw County 3.0113.1858.0112.630.000.000.008.240.000.004.36119.89148.42
Alabama 21.2230.82103.6751.6722.5525.4658.4722.1623.0729.9030.99112.38138.73
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Lauderdale County 9.497.4281.9230.6510.1411.532.1915.0917.2834.0618.94122.07104.53
Clarke County 1.314.3444.336.5315.370.000.003.070.009.920.00175.0998.43
Wayne County 2.611.4549.4348.120.390.000.000.640.0016.956.30133.74115.17
Marengo County 13.486.8237.9518.570.000.000.0015.270.0012.040.00133.3882.76
Clarke County 3.8421.7867.4716.640.000.000.004.930.005.470.00163.13126.72
Washington County 0.0013.5383.7419.0011.060.000.000.000.007.306.97186.50139.37
Sumter County 1.874.3817.6010.9343.617.320.000.007.079.459.0287.7546.06


Sources: STI: PopStats