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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:

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

 
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)

Brown County15,7391,5322059318900136665
Indiana (in 000's)6,9724771236839651282641912890
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Johnson County172,67818,348261611,6804,0603604643013,813597184
Monroe County141,6168,792187351,1053,5865665894953,0951,045861
Bartholomew County85,2677,379134531,2175,50227155962770582333
Morgan County74,2379,94518794527517695312027092
Jackson County48,0195,4116659663,7351,70522574604952
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Brown County18.129.730.130.030.591.200.000.000.080.420.040.03
Indiana11.726.840.180.040.985.690.730.400.376.021.841.29
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Johnson County14.9410.630.150.040.972.350.210.270.172.210.350.11
Monroe County11.616.210.130.020.782.530.400.420.352.190.740.61
Bartholomew County12.988.650.160.061.436.450.320.660.070.900.680.39
Morgan County22.5813.400.250.010.611.010.100.130.040.270.090.12
Jackson County13.7111.270.140.012.017.783.550.050.120.960.100.11
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Brown County 142.3671.1082.5260.3621.120.000.0022.376.972.072.46
Indiana 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 59.18360.76474.02337.11199.17246.53337.08290.95125.38124.20161.56
Johnson County 155.4084.5791.7699.3941.3528.5466.9547.2236.7018.778.24
Monroe County 90.8073.8864.2079.7144.5354.72103.6294.6836.3240.0646.99
Bartholomew County 126.5687.93161.46145.81113.4743.51163.3319.7015.0137.0630.19
Morgan County 195.92140.9431.4962.2017.7914.0231.8811.314.525.129.58
Jackson County 164.8076.9027.05205.51136.78486.0911.4132.1515.925.548.37
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Brown County 240.5419.7117.4117.9110.600.000.007.695.561.671.52
Indiana 168.9727.7221.1029.6650.2140.5629.6734.3779.7680.5261.90
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Johnson County 262.5823.4419.3629.4820.7611.5819.8616.2329.2715.115.10
Monroe County 153.4220.4813.5423.6522.3622.1930.7432.5428.9732.2629.09
Bartholomew County 213.8524.3734.0643.2556.9717.6548.466.7711.9729.8418.69
Morgan County 331.0439.076.6418.458.935.689.463.893.614.125.93
Jackson County 278.4621.325.7160.9668.67197.173.3911.0512.704.465.18
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Brown County15,739392,1081071912,2731811751311,50241443
Indiana (in 000's)6,972124875871932981106948611189
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Johnson County172,67848513,8841,6221,51520,9373,0591,3422,04013,9591083,686
Monroe County141,61619512,6851,2121,55516,5122,8262,2862,43012,1633495,707
Bartholomew County85,2672777,0165666069,9198474657705,679471,933
Morgan County74,237996,4157045568,4285934387085,779581,450
Jackson County48,019533,7752512447,1673202382433,371271345
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Brown County18.120.2513.390.681.2114.441.151.110.839.540.262.81
Indiana11.720.176.990.831.0213.361.411.571.006.970.162.72
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Johnson County14.940.288.040.940.8812.121.770.781.188.080.062.13
Monroe County11.610.148.960.861.1011.662.001.611.728.590.254.03
Bartholomew County12.980.328.230.660.7111.630.990.550.906.660.062.27
Morgan County22.580.138.640.950.7511.350.800.590.957.780.081.95
Jackson County13.710.117.860.520.5114.930.670.500.517.020.560.72
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Brown County 141.98191.6781.89118.56108.0681.8470.6383.63136.89163.28103.67
Indiana 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 225.3875.3364.15103.6553.86187.1686.37174.7286.19208.22102.62
Johnson County 160.93115.06113.1585.7190.72126.0749.37118.71115.9539.2078.62
Monroe County 78.90128.19103.10107.2787.24142.01102.54172.41123.19154.47148.43
Bartholomew County 186.14117.7579.9669.4387.0470.6934.6490.7495.5334.5583.50
Morgan County 76.41123.66114.2473.1784.9556.8437.4895.83111.6648.9771.94
Jackson County 63.24112.5062.9749.64111.6847.4231.4950.85100.70353.7426.46
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Brown County 63.00254.43127.66114.38200.6343.7381.7847.87158.8278.42101.02
Indiana 44.37132.75155.8896.48185.6653.43115.7857.24116.0348.0397.45
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Johnson County 71.41152.74176.3882.69168.4467.3657.1667.94134.5418.8376.62
Monroe County 35.01170.16160.70103.49161.9875.88118.7398.68142.9474.19144.64
Bartholomew County 82.59156.31124.6466.99161.6137.7740.1151.93110.8416.5981.37
Morgan County 33.90164.16178.0770.59157.7230.3743.4054.85129.5623.5270.10
Jackson County 28.06149.3498.1547.89207.3525.3436.4529.10116.83169.8925.79
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Brown County15,7390230120037411,1625,380
Indiana (in 000's)6,97231176119573312198191,736
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Johnson County172,678403777487622414,9331,1159713818,10653,553
Monroe County141,6162,8135283531,1034622,81628545695318,60734,964
Bartholomew County85,2675231333542432394,13812515116811,30222,904
Morgan County74,23789826170338062365,66231,032
Jackson County48,019177401726222835165,93012,490
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Brown County18.120.000.150.000.080.000.000.240.030.017.3834.18
Indiana11.720.440.240.090.160.130.820.470.170.2711.7424.90
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Johnson County14.940.230.450.280.040.142.860.650.060.0810.4931.01
Monroe County11.611.990.370.250.780.331.990.200.320.6713.1424.69
Bartholomew County12.980.610.160.420.280.284.850.150.180.2013.2526.86
Morgan County22.580.120.110.010.020.000.040.110.080.057.6341.80
Jackson County13.710.000.160.840.010.050.460.020.070.0312.3526.01
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Brown County 0.0061.580.0048.590.000.0049.7814.822.3762.87137.28
Indiana 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 296.38369.59267.29286.20414.22194.19101.34208.81210.15117.4159.67
Johnson County 53.22189.63326.3522.88103.74349.27136.7232.7529.8689.30124.55
Monroe County 452.99157.12288.44496.41242.48243.1142.61187.72251.43111.9099.16
Bartholomew County 139.8865.73480.42181.64208.34593.3231.04103.2473.62112.88107.88
Morgan County 27.3446.559.3514.600.005.4322.8248.6918.1264.95167.88
Jackson County 0.4767.58966.349.2940.2556.523.5342.4912.45105.17104.46
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Brown County 0.0016.660.0016.980.000.0049.127.101.1353.55230.06
Indiana 33.7427.0637.4134.9424.1451.5098.6747.8947.5885.17167.58
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Johnson County 17.9651.31122.108.0025.04179.86134.9115.6814.2176.06208.73
Monroe County 152.8442.51107.91173.4558.54125.1942.0589.90119.6495.30166.17
Bartholomew County 47.2017.79179.7463.4750.30305.5430.6349.4435.0396.14180.79
Morgan County 9.2212.593.505.100.002.8022.5123.328.6255.32281.34
Jackson County 0.1618.28361.533.259.7229.113.4820.355.9289.58175.06


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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