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Monroe 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:

8.18

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

Monroe County6,454407287107750081375242175
Arkansas (in 000's)3,10923823171419444613224152516726
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68718,0691,8283,64224,7089,027
St. Francis County22,05877769049250912327504173931840
Arkansas County15,9371,017248733171550608686015688952
Phillips County14,98626542244154004421792217550
Prairie County7,972722192011500404661233957335
Woodruff County5,8965577045300618511111135
Lee County8,16917216161871338165897318
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Monroe County8.186.310.430.111.661.160.000.000.122.120.080.373.360.08
Arkansas11.547.660.730.550.456.241.410.190.417.200.470.815.380.82
National7.154.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.075.260.531.067.202.63
St. Francis County5.393.520.310.000.221.130.410.011.482.280.080.181.440.18
Arkansas County11.826.380.150.050.461.990.970.000.385.450.380.985.580.33
Phillips County4.501.770.280.010.291.030.000.000.291.450.060.151.170.33
Prairie County16.409.060.240.030.001.440.000.000.505.851.540.497.190.44
Woodruff County17.699.450.120.000.070.900.000.000.103.140.020.191.880.59
Lee County6.402.110.200.010.072.290.010.040.472.020.100.110.890.22
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Monroe County 82.2859.0519.71372.4618.640.000.0030.3329.4816.4946.0262.489.42
Arkansas 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 52.8087.7633.17741.37181.65127.96700.38262.8073.11113.37131.31133.76319.86
St. Francis County 45.9642.570.0049.9118.1829.324.69362.7231.7316.4121.8826.7922.05
Arkansas County 83.2620.509.12102.9131.9069.110.0092.1275.6480.15121.15103.6539.68
Phillips County 23.0738.142.4365.9616.480.000.0071.8420.1112.7818.1721.7040.58
Prairie County 118.1732.444.560.0023.130.000.00122.7781.18328.4560.55133.5653.40
Woodruff County 123.2616.160.0015.2414.420.000.0024.9043.583.6123.0934.9872.20
Lee County 27.4726.662.2316.5036.710.8719.01113.8228.0520.8513.6416.6126.80
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Monroe County 155.8467.2859.4450.2410.260.000.0011.5440.3214.5535.0546.712.95
Arkansas 189.40113.95301.4813.4955.0578.1514.2838.05136.7888.2176.1674.7631.26
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
St. Francis County 87.0548.510.006.7310.0122.910.67138.0243.4114.4716.6620.036.90
Arkansas County 157.6923.3627.5113.8817.5654.010.0035.05103.4770.6992.2677.4912.41
Phillips County 43.7043.477.318.909.070.000.0027.3427.5111.2813.8416.2212.69
Prairie County 223.8136.9613.750.0012.740.000.0046.72111.05289.7246.1199.8516.69
Woodruff County 233.4518.410.002.067.940.000.009.4759.613.1817.5826.1522.57
Lee County 52.0330.386.712.2320.210.682.7143.3138.3718.3910.3812.418.38
 
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

Monroe County6,4543922218310000121,2661,226
Arkansas (in 000's)3,10913242094461317874512793
National (in 000's)343,2514,6675,96920,6259,5634,4617931,5415,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
St. Francis County22,058325497552664347103,9872,992
Arkansas County15,9371144859119900263373,0624,141
Phillips County14,98605286153302601712,7621,488
Prairie County7,9724276928700001901,7172,427
Woodruff County5,8968021517000001107842,264
Lee County8,169121377000001101,6301,222
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Monroe County8.180.050.143.440.280.480.000.000.000.000.020.0319.6219.00
Arkansas11.540.410.776.721.420.180.030.080.560.260.210.1416.4525.52
National7.151.361.746.012.791.300.230.451.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
St. Francis County5.390.010.112.250.250.010.030.030.020.010.210.0518.0813.56
Arkansas County11.820.070.285.390.750.060.000.000.010.040.210.0419.2125.98
Phillips County4.500.000.031.910.100.220.000.010.040.000.110.0118.439.93
Prairie County16.400.050.348.681.090.000.000.000.000.010.110.0021.5430.44
Woodruff County17.690.140.003.650.290.000.000.000.000.000.190.0013.3038.40
Lee County6.400.010.021.680.090.000.000.000.000.000.130.0019.9514.96
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Monroe County 11.4018.1351.2119.60268.160.000.000.000.007.3322.95119.2174.44
Arkansas 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 333.55226.0689.46195.83725.57701.32551.83286.12182.05169.36416.5783.7958.22
St. Francis County 3.3414.7333.5517.535.0682.5933.433.275.17100.7633.58109.8553.15
Arkansas County 16.9335.8980.2552.4831.530.000.002.2614.3297.9132.53116.77101.82
Phillips County 0.004.3428.417.04122.940.0016.407.210.0053.644.94112.0138.91
Prairie County 12.3144.03129.2476.710.000.000.000.004.7753.380.00130.89119.30
Woodruff County 33.290.0054.2920.270.000.000.000.000.0088.220.0080.81150.47
Lee County 3.003.1824.976.020.000.000.000.000.0063.670.00121.2758.62
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Monroe County 3.428.0257.2510.0136.960.000.000.000.004.335.51142.28127.85
Arkansas 29.9844.24111.7851.0613.7814.2618.1234.9554.9359.0424.01119.35171.75
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
St. Francis County 1.006.5237.508.950.7011.786.061.142.8459.498.06131.1191.29
Arkansas County 5.0815.8889.7026.804.350.000.000.797.8757.817.81139.36174.88
Phillips County 0.001.9231.763.5916.940.002.972.520.0031.671.19133.6966.83
Prairie County 3.6919.48144.4639.170.000.000.000.002.6231.520.00156.23204.90
Woodruff County 9.980.0060.6910.350.000.000.000.000.0052.090.0096.45258.44
Lee County 0.901.4127.913.080.000.000.000.000.0037.600.00144.73100.68


Sources: STI: PopStats