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McDonough 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:

13.80

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)

McDonough County26,3451,709445128651263377859384232
Illinois (in 000's)12,7843341632601,81196109661,099348291
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Fulton County32,7352,6785846361311273970317458
Hancock County17,0341,390294142411031268787
Warren County16,1621,21821121151,45145168526518160
Schuyler County6,72568717358954013209694
Henderson County6,1175645711930082122
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

McDonough County13.806.490.170.020.492.470.100.130.293.261.460.88
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
Fulton County17.418.180.180.010.191.870.030.080.122.150.530.18
Hancock County18.318.160.170.020.081.410.060.180.150.510.050.04
Warren County13.607.540.130.070.718.980.280.100.531.641.120.37
Schuyler County16.8410.220.250.040.071.320.800.000.193.111.030.06
Henderson County20.789.220.080.110.181.520.000.000.130.340.030.03
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

McDonough County 248.08134.0082.0823.8917.4413.1414.7156.6637.9253.5738.64
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
Fulton County 312.86142.1652.849.4613.224.489.6923.0924.9819.547.77
Hancock County 312.06136.60101.554.049.987.8221.3729.595.941.731.80
Warren County 288.20104.25321.1034.9963.3637.0811.63101.9519.0741.1616.29
Schuyler County 390.67202.82192.923.669.34106.940.0037.4736.1437.712.61
Henderson County 352.6065.58494.898.8410.730.000.0025.353.991.201.43
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

McDonough County 160.3025.9010.4014.7221.825.489.2627.2143.2263.7242.13
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
Fulton County 202.1627.486.705.8316.531.876.1011.0928.4723.248.48
Hancock County 201.6526.4012.872.4912.493.2613.4514.216.772.051.97
Warren County 186.2320.1540.6921.5679.2615.467.3248.9721.7448.9617.76
Schuyler County 252.4539.2024.452.2511.6844.590.0018.0041.2044.852.85
Henderson County 227.8512.6862.715.4513.420.000.0012.184.551.431.56
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

McDonough County26,345532,3474162233,4574373848972,35211664
Illinois (in 000's)12,78420481691061,20736442323378922459
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Fulton County32,735543,4083463404,9547491886872,7975744
Hancock County17,034151,7711282573,924248703971,68013246
Warren County16,162231,0221122131,7972041318451,4330191
Schuyler County6,7252087393759036632555831579
Henderson County6,117847868459479130290611099
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

McDonough County13.800.208.911.580.8513.121.661.463.408.930.042.52
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
Fulton County17.410.1610.411.061.0415.132.290.572.108.540.022.27
Hancock County18.310.0910.400.751.5123.041.460.412.339.860.081.44
Warren County13.600.146.320.691.3211.121.260.815.238.870.001.18
Schuyler County16.840.3012.981.381.1213.430.980.480.828.670.221.17
Henderson County20.780.137.811.110.7415.481.490.494.749.990.001.62
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

McDonough County 127.35236.59293.54102.50138.9558.2544.07186.84144.6923.8570.16
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
Fulton County 104.42276.49196.49125.78160.2680.3517.37115.16138.488.7363.27
Hancock County 55.74276.11139.69182.70243.9451.1312.43127.89159.8443.6040.20
Warren County 90.08167.94128.82159.59117.7444.3324.51286.90143.700.0032.90
Schuyler County 188.26344.75257.08135.05142.1934.4714.3944.88140.50127.4232.70
Henderson County 82.79207.53206.6589.09163.9452.2414.83260.16161.880.0045.05
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

McDonough County 51.15169.24296.5179.78182.2963.07107.21195.81148.5812.5790.46
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
Fulton County 41.94197.77198.4797.90210.2487.0042.24120.69142.204.6081.58
Hancock County 22.39197.51141.10142.20320.0355.3630.23134.03164.1422.9751.83
Warren County 36.18120.13130.13124.22154.4647.9959.62300.68147.560.0042.42
Schuyler County 75.61246.61259.67105.12186.5437.3235.0047.03144.2867.1542.16
Henderson County 33.25148.45208.7469.34215.0756.5736.07272.65166.240.0058.09
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

McDonough County26,3458313223680165446292,7077,699
Illinois (in 000's)12,7841371301860272914933751,5811,775
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Fulton County32,73535203107139252,74611,185
Hancock County17,034099081011941,0605,318
Warren County16,1623218599082216201,6934,656
Schuyler County6,7250110002201195232,205
Henderson County6,1170201011363292,394
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

McDonough County13.800.320.500.090.260.000.630.170.020.1110.2829.22
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
Fulton County17.410.110.010.000.010.030.020.040.030.088.3934.17
Hancock County18.310.000.050.050.000.050.060.060.050.026.2231.22
Warren County13.600.200.110.370.060.000.051.370.040.1210.4828.81
Schuyler County16.840.000.160.000.000.000.330.000.010.287.7832.79
Henderson County20.780.000.030.000.020.000.020.020.050.105.3839.14
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

McDonough County 29.5049.3960.8254.880.0027.5343.358.7018.7183.09210.46
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
Fulton County 10.010.600.001.9514.240.9410.3110.5112.9867.84246.07
Hancock County 0.005.2136.810.0021.892.5816.7620.193.9950.32224.84
Warren County 18.5410.98254.3011.840.002.18354.9614.1921.0484.71207.47
Schuyler County 0.0016.120.000.000.0014.380.005.6848.0362.89236.13
Henderson County 0.003.220.003.480.000.724.2418.7416.6743.49281.85
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

McDonough County 24.2457.1337.8057.480.0039.4334.896.3619.5774.53196.69
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
Fulton County 8.230.700.002.045.481.358.307.6813.5860.85229.97
Hancock County 0.006.0222.870.008.433.7013.4914.754.1745.14210.12
Warren County 15.2312.70158.0412.400.003.12285.6910.3722.0075.98193.89
Schuyler County 0.0018.650.000.000.0020.600.004.1550.2356.41220.68
Henderson County 0.003.730.003.640.001.033.4213.6917.4439.01263.41


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025