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Jefferson 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:

16.06

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)

Jefferson County36,0532,950949305518585411,525465475
Illinois (in 000's)12,7843341632601,81196109661,099348291
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Marion County36,1093,1467311134537725571,027277249
Franklin County36,7753,64975342517134601142613
Perry County20,1681,05432115580163691,024280275
Wayne County15,9691,6031966178671155653
Washington County13,51284324144715101175967
Hamilton County7,74868216048480001263
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Jefferson County16.068.180.260.020.851.440.160.010.114.231.291.32
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
Marion County17.378.710.200.000.311.250.210.070.162.840.770.69
Franklin County17.719.920.200.010.111.410.000.090.160.310.070.04
Perry County16.525.230.160.000.072.880.080.010.345.081.391.36
Wayne County20.4110.040.120.040.380.490.420.010.090.350.030.02
Washington County20.526.240.180.100.351.120.000.010.130.440.040.05
Hamilton County22.388.800.210.000.620.620.000.000.000.150.080.04
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jefferson County 312.92209.19107.9641.6010.1421.431.6322.0449.2047.4157.81
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
Marion County 333.19162.2111.9815.398.8528.408.1330.6033.0828.2030.26
Franklin County 379.46163.6335.285.629.920.3610.8631.633.612.601.55
Perry County 199.86127.3121.443.6620.3010.571.7566.3259.0551.0359.83
Wayne County 383.8995.46162.4918.783.4555.880.7418.214.081.150.82
Washington County 238.59142.51448.0817.107.890.000.8724.395.081.632.27
Hamilton County 336.62165.690.0030.464.370.000.000.001.802.851.70
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jefferson County 202.2040.4413.6825.6412.688.931.0310.5956.0756.3863.04
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
Marion County 215.3031.351.529.4811.0811.845.1214.7037.7033.5332.99
Franklin County 245.2031.634.473.4612.410.156.8315.194.113.091.69
Perry County 129.1524.612.722.2525.394.411.1031.8567.3160.6965.24
Wayne County 248.0618.4520.5911.584.3123.300.468.754.651.370.90
Washington County 154.1727.5556.7810.549.870.000.5511.715.791.942.48
Hamilton County 217.5232.030.0018.775.470.000.000.002.053.391.85
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Jefferson County36,053613,3762593764,4743626044523,00146554
Illinois (in 000's)12,78420481691061,20736442323378922459
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Marion County36,109323,1582703215,6154624652143,05813742
Franklin County36,775464,3242504803,6821,5077554013,29355827
Perry County20,168331,286952593,0234676601411,3080265
Wayne County15,969151,8101131392,523110741551,4820183
Washington County13,5125804731824,9862001,0721301,07747135
Hamilton County7,7482478735941,343398373769044
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Jefferson County16.060.179.360.721.0412.411.001.681.258.320.131.54
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
Marion County17.370.098.750.750.8915.551.281.290.598.470.042.05
Franklin County17.710.1311.760.681.3110.014.102.051.098.950.152.25
Perry County16.520.166.380.471.2814.992.323.270.706.490.001.31
Wayne County20.410.0911.330.710.8715.800.690.460.979.280.001.15
Washington County20.520.045.950.541.3536.901.487.930.967.970.351.00
Hamilton County22.380.3110.160.451.2117.330.501.070.949.930.000.57
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jefferson County 107.10248.68133.55126.29131.4135.2650.6668.80134.9072.8942.77
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
Marion County 56.10232.26139.00107.65164.6744.9338.9432.52137.2520.5757.20
Franklin County 79.18312.26126.37158.06106.02143.9162.0859.84145.1285.4462.60
Perry County 103.58169.3487.56155.51158.7381.3298.9638.36105.110.0036.58
Wayne County 59.46301.01131.54105.41167.3124.1914.0153.26150.410.0031.90
Washington County 23.42158.02100.43163.11390.7551.98239.9052.80129.18198.7127.81
Hamilton County 196.08269.7683.97146.92183.5517.6832.3951.70160.860.0015.81
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jefferson County 43.01177.89134.9098.30172.4038.18123.2272.10138.5338.4155.15
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
Marion County 22.53166.14140.4183.79216.0348.6594.7234.08140.9410.8473.75
Franklin County 31.80223.36127.65123.02139.09155.82151.0062.71149.0345.0280.71
Perry County 41.60121.1388.45121.04208.2388.05240.7040.21107.940.0047.16
Wayne County 23.88215.32132.8782.04219.4926.1934.0855.82154.450.0041.13
Washington County 9.41113.04101.45126.95512.6356.28583.5355.33132.65104.7135.86
Hamilton County 78.75192.9684.82114.35240.8019.1478.7954.18165.180.0020.38
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Jefferson County36,053381243484114666713,75311,879
Illinois (in 000's)12,7841371301860272914933751,5811,775
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Marion County36,1093449510326381727273,72112,214
Franklin County36,77504301370538263,59212,879
Perry County20,16817391157401152,4076,740
Wayne County15,96911390104112111,4135,959
Washington County13,5122310120009536412,893
Hamilton County7,74803100017004923,111
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Jefferson County16.060.110.340.010.130.110.040.020.180.2010.4132.95
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
Marion County17.370.090.140.010.290.070.110.050.070.0710.3033.83
Franklin County17.710.000.120.000.000.100.000.010.100.079.7735.02
Perry County16.520.080.010.040.000.070.370.000.050.0211.9333.42
Wayne County20.410.070.240.000.010.000.030.070.010.078.8537.32
Washington County20.520.170.010.000.090.000.000.000.070.394.7421.41
Hamilton County22.380.000.400.000.000.000.010.090.000.006.3540.15
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jefferson County 9.8733.905.8028.3153.011.714.3269.9633.4884.18237.29
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
Marion County 8.8213.389.6560.6533.564.6312.2228.5812.7183.33243.60
Franklin County 0.0011.530.000.5846.900.003.5339.4912.0278.99252.21
Perry County 7.891.4731.091.0534.6716.130.0020.854.2196.51240.68
Wayne County 6.4524.070.001.330.001.1017.884.7911.7171.56268.74
Washington County 15.940.730.0018.880.000.000.0025.4666.6838.36154.19
Hamilton County 0.0039.440.000.000.000.5723.450.000.0051.35289.17
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jefferson County 8.1139.223.6029.6520.412.443.4851.1135.0175.51221.76
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
Marion County 7.2515.475.9963.5212.926.639.8420.8813.2974.75227.66
Franklin County 0.0013.330.000.6118.050.002.8428.8512.5770.85235.71
Perry County 6.491.7019.321.1013.3523.100.0015.234.4186.57224.93
Wayne County 5.3027.850.001.390.001.5814.393.5012.2564.18251.15
Washington County 13.100.840.0019.780.000.000.0018.6069.7434.41144.10
Hamilton County 0.0045.620.000.000.000.8118.880.000.0046.06270.24


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025