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Grundy 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:

9.45

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)

Grundy County53,6731,76639161,0384,634801596271823437
Illinois (in 000's)12,7843341632601,81196109661,099348291
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Will County711,57411,6217707310,406113,1923,0603,9692,85850,68220,4379,550
Kendall County144,2492,295114123,42925,4004024834519,7061,274265
LaSalle County108,4334,42213686709,9151051334961,733542335
Kankakee County106,3083,0491581256210,7127531643246,4856,3842,340
Livingston County35,2652,1002712681,2629721223672225233
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Grundy County9.453.290.070.031.938.630.150.300.121.340.440.07
Illinois8.322.610.120.022.0314.170.750.850.528.602.722.28
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Will County8.521.630.110.011.4615.910.430.560.407.122.871.34
Kendall County11.021.590.080.012.3817.610.280.330.316.730.880.18
LaSalle County10.814.080.130.010.629.140.100.120.461.600.500.31
Kankakee County9.182.870.150.010.5310.080.710.150.306.106.012.20
Livingston County14.135.950.080.000.763.580.280.060.631.910.640.66
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Grundy County 125.8358.30128.9295.1060.9319.8534.7922.3915.5616.023.02
Illinois 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 154.75517.34789.18162.2779.93239.84158.89208.2187.7384.0891.71
Will County 62.4686.8244.3771.91112.2657.2765.5177.8682.84105.5658.89
Kendall County 60.8463.4135.98116.89124.2737.1239.3260.6178.2632.468.06
LaSalle County 155.96100.6331.9130.3864.5312.9014.4088.6718.5918.3713.56
Kankakee County 109.68119.2548.8226.0071.1194.3418.1259.0870.95220.7296.58
Livingston County 227.7361.4312.2637.3725.2536.636.99122.5822.1623.4528.99
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Grundy County 81.3111.2716.3458.6076.238.2821.9010.7517.7319.063.30
Illinois 64.6219.3312.6761.63125.1041.6962.9448.03113.98118.94109.04
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Will County 40.3616.785.6244.32140.4423.8841.2337.3994.42125.5564.21
Kendall County 39.3212.264.5672.04155.4615.4824.7529.1189.2038.618.79
LaSalle County 100.7819.454.0418.7280.735.389.0742.5921.1921.8514.78
Kankakee County 70.8823.056.1916.0288.9639.3311.4028.3880.87262.52105.31
Livingston County 147.1611.871.5523.0331.5915.274.4058.8725.2627.8931.61
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Grundy County53,673793,2655976397,1703,7293,0272,7815,6721252,740
Illinois (in 000's)12,78420481691061,20736442323378922459
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Will County711,5741,20019,3535,8244,20861,23332,09641,10911,17350,9212,28930,639
Kendall County144,2492385,1426431,20714,1174,0874,8833,5848,8962746,099
LaSalle County108,4331916,1106341,72616,7135,3854,3724,48711,0211054,733
Kankakee County106,3081,0264,4451,2444,07913,1932,9643,8382,2667,838771,949
Livingston County35,265912,2092294808,0841,0286861,0203,572571,008
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Grundy County9.450.156.081.111.1913.366.955.645.1810.570.235.10
Illinois8.320.163.770.540.839.442.853.311.826.170.183.59
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Will County8.520.172.720.820.598.614.515.781.577.160.324.31
Kendall County11.020.163.560.450.849.792.833.392.486.170.194.23
LaSalle County10.810.185.630.581.5915.414.974.034.1410.160.104.36
Kankakee County9.180.974.181.173.8412.412.793.612.137.370.071.83
Livingston County14.130.266.260.651.3622.922.921.952.8910.130.162.86
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Grundy County 93.17161.55206.77144.17141.46243.99170.53284.33171.27133.04142.11
Illinois 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 248.99139.8099.00128.4876.2392.3641.1195.4297.38189.7777.56
Will County 106.7572.23152.1571.6191.12158.40174.6986.16115.98183.76119.86
Kendall County 104.4494.6782.86101.33103.6399.50102.36136.3499.95108.51117.70
LaSalle County 111.50149.65108.69192.76163.22174.40121.92227.07164.7255.32121.51
Kankakee County 610.93111.04217.53464.64131.4297.91109.17116.97119.4941.3851.03
Livingston County 163.35166.36120.71164.83242.75102.3758.82158.72164.1692.3379.57
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Grundy County 37.42115.56208.86112.21185.58264.17414.81297.98175.8770.11183.23
Illinois 40.1671.53101.0177.83131.19108.27243.24104.80102.6952.70128.94
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Will County 42.8751.67153.6955.74119.55171.51424.9290.30119.1096.84154.54
Kendall County 41.9567.7283.7078.87135.96107.73248.98142.89102.6457.18151.75
LaSalle County 44.78107.04109.79150.03214.12188.83296.56237.98169.1529.15156.67
Kankakee County 245.3679.43219.73361.65172.40106.01265.54122.58122.7021.8065.80
Livingston County 65.60119.00121.94128.29318.46110.84143.08166.34168.5748.66102.59
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Grundy County53,673649023044853523435,7448,915
Illinois (in 000's)12,7841371301860272914933751,5811,775
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Will County711,5745,4369,5012241,60199921,8162,0682,0283,49791,17386,568
Kendall County144,24958288766158632,28734722832917,70528,596
LaSalle County108,433123245413550284427712311,37722,064
Kankakee County106,3081303741014866205675315711,78519,451
Livingston County35,265105727052027362,8898,592
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Grundy County9.450.120.170.040.000.080.160.070.040.0810.7016.61
Illinois8.321.071.010.140.470.212.270.390.260.5912.3713.89
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Will County8.520.761.340.030.220.143.070.290.290.4912.8112.17
Kendall County11.020.400.610.050.110.041.590.240.160.2312.2719.82
LaSalle County10.810.110.230.040.030.050.260.040.070.1110.4920.35
Kankakee County9.180.120.350.010.140.060.190.060.050.1511.0918.30
Livingston County14.130.030.160.010.020.000.150.000.080.108.1924.36
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Grundy County 11.1616.5329.850.0038.216.9616.9316.3813.6286.54119.62
Illinois 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 121.6886.44160.9195.48259.7869.82124.24136.8995.61111.49107.00
Will County 71.52131.6121.9347.8465.44134.7775.44108.9283.54103.6187.61
Kendall County 37.7860.6131.8723.2920.3669.6962.4460.4138.7799.26142.77
LaSalle County 10.6222.2726.346.8621.4911.5110.0527.1419.2884.85146.54
Kankakee County 11.4534.686.5529.6028.948.4816.3619.0525.1089.65131.77
Livingston County 2.6515.933.954.220.006.480.0029.2617.3566.25175.46
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Grundy County 9.1719.1218.550.0014.719.9713.6211.9614.2477.63111.79
Illinois 82.18115.6862.15104.7438.49143.2380.4973.05104.5989.7093.46
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Will County 58.78152.2413.6350.1025.19193.0360.7279.5787.3792.9481.88
Kendall County 31.0470.1119.8124.397.8499.8250.2644.1340.5589.03133.42
LaSalle County 8.7325.7616.377.198.2716.498.0919.8320.1776.11136.95
Kankakee County 9.4140.114.0731.0011.1412.1413.1713.9226.2680.41123.15
Livingston County 2.1818.432.464.420.009.280.0021.3818.1559.42163.98


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025