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Boundary 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:

15.44

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

German

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

Boundary County13,8991,0071448186619961452164
Idaho (in 000's)2,0259520492249914942
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Bonner County54,4502,639363461211,2751161481431011418
Lincoln County22,2351,00422016120404056301953
Pend Oreille County14,269541406942403303344443
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Boundary County15.447.251.040.060.134.760.710.040.100.370.120.03
Idaho11.204.690.970.180.4711.050.450.460.710.420.220.09
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Bonner County14.264.850.670.080.222.340.210.270.260.190.030.03
Lincoln County13.954.520.990.070.541.820.000.250.130.090.020.01
Pend Oreille County13.433.792.850.060.292.820.210.020.240.310.030.02
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boundary County 154.39107.1232.5527.7143.04157.169.3514.1288.4253.2730.54
Idaho 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 86.2466.67103.21706.02102.50397.33292.99150.591,782.921,058.462,218.04
Bonner County 103.2868.9347.7847.5421.1947.0058.8636.8243.8411.9035.08
Lincoln County 96.22102.3040.70115.4716.440.0054.5418.9220.2010.4014.32
Pend Oreille County 80.80294.1835.6762.9725.5646.394.5533.4172.8812.9722.31
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boundary County 179.04160.6831.543.9241.9939.553.199.384.965.031.38
Idaho 115.96150.0096.8914.1697.5625.1734.1366.415.619.454.51
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Bonner County 119.77103.3946.306.7320.6711.8320.0924.452.461.121.58
Lincoln County 111.58153.4539.4316.3516.040.0018.6212.561.130.980.65
Pend Oreille County 93.69441.2834.568.9224.9411.681.5522.184.091.231.01
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Boundary County13,899769761041811,6302361141,0071,13825281
Idaho (in 000's)2,0259251182920436131031481271
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Bonner County54,4502425,2345927916,9041,4865143,3815,7322682,550
Lincoln County22,2351791,7873224863,2445111481,7332,361881,033
Pend Oreille County14,269671,6391982931,958201899941,270112316
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Boundary County15.440.557.020.751.3011.731.700.827.258.190.182.02
Idaho11.200.4512.410.891.4110.071.760.635.077.290.593.53
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Bonner County14.260.449.611.091.4512.682.730.946.2110.530.494.68
Lincoln County13.950.818.041.452.1914.592.300.677.7910.620.404.65
Pend Oreille County13.430.4711.491.392.0513.721.410.626.978.900.782.21
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boundary County 120.2856.6084.1392.12116.4696.58129.35142.80112.2430.5357.26
Idaho 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 86.5242.4359.8875.0571.48149.60214.4234.2782.3756.3978.91
Bonner County 97.7677.47122.25102.76125.91155.24148.87122.39144.3183.55132.64
Lincoln County 177.0864.78162.83154.61144.88130.72104.97153.62145.5667.18131.59
Pend Oreille County 103.2992.58156.02145.25136.2780.1398.37137.31122.01133.2462.72
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boundary County 139.01133.40140.50122.74162.9264.5660.33416.66136.2654.1572.56
Idaho 115.58235.70167.00133.25139.9066.8546.64291.77121.40177.34126.72
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Bonner County 112.99182.61204.16136.92176.15103.7769.43357.10175.20148.17168.09
Lincoln County 204.67152.68271.93206.01202.6887.3848.96448.23176.72119.14166.75
Pend Oreille County 119.37218.21260.56193.54190.6353.5645.88400.62148.13236.2979.49
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Boundary County13,89966332404980101,4444,486
Idaho (in 000's)2,025543324335282418
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Bonner County54,450467858400124235875,38815,986
Lincoln County22,235057240711342,1126,266
Pend Oreille County14,269181018400131131,7753,761
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Boundary County15.440.470.240.010.030.000.350.060.000.0710.3932.28
Idaho11.200.250.190.160.130.100.220.160.120.2613.9520.62
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Bonner County14.260.080.140.110.070.000.020.080.060.169.9029.36
Lincoln County13.950.000.260.010.020.000.030.000.060.029.5028.18
Pend Oreille County13.430.130.070.130.030.000.000.090.010.0912.4426.36
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boundary County 186.30123.209.1621.940.00160.1236.000.0028.1774.50156.50
Idaho 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 509.88455.10147.08342.33534.02721.40299.39288.70220.2098.8672.04
Bonner County 33.1474.3367.8256.000.0010.0148.2551.8162.5570.96142.36
Lincoln County 0.00133.035.7313.710.0014.302.8147.137.0468.11136.64
Pend Oreille County 49.4936.3780.3221.370.000.0056.995.6535.6789.20127.80
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Boundary County 36.5427.076.236.410.0022.2012.030.0012.7975.36217.23
Idaho 19.6121.9767.9929.2118.7313.8633.4034.6445.41101.16138.81
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Bonner County 6.5016.3346.1216.360.001.3916.1217.9528.4171.78197.60
Lincoln County 0.0029.233.894.010.001.980.9416.323.2068.90189.67
Pend Oreille County 9.717.9954.616.240.000.0019.031.9616.2090.23177.40


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025