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Alpena 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:

12.48

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)

Alpena County28,8351,633110148930571812149126
Michigan (in 000's)10,18936246380410302433889246208
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Presque Isle County13,2126935901313384251936
Alcona County10,357613551289430152223
Montmorency County9,86266066038990012825
Oscoda County8,5265213104984153141315
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Alpena County12.485.660.380.050.311.060.020.060.040.520.040.02
Michigan8.333.560.450.030.784.020.290.230.328.732.412.04
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Presque Isle County14.405.250.450.000.101.010.060.030.190.140.020.05
Alcona County11.975.920.530.010.270.910.030.000.140.210.020.03
Montmorency County12.826.690.670.000.391.000.000.000.120.080.020.05
Oscoda County15.356.110.360.000.570.990.180.040.160.150.010.06
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Alpena County 159.2584.86191.7539.5326.328.2326.7612.905.921.731.02
Michigan 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 113.79143.43720.69422.60281.82610.65580.03333.0386.4494.86102.36
Presque Isle County 147.5099.330.0012.6025.0520.5312.9858.671.650.942.22
Alcona County 166.43118.1238.1334.6222.589.820.0044.912.430.801.42
Montmorency County 188.19148.860.0049.3424.980.000.0037.730.930.842.48
Oscoda County 171.8380.880.0073.6024.5159.6615.0850.911.750.492.87
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Alpena County 139.9559.1626.619.359.341.354.613.876.851.821.00
Michigan 87.8869.7213.8823.6635.4816.3817.2430.03115.69105.4297.69
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Presque Isle County 129.6269.260.002.988.893.362.2417.621.910.992.17
Alcona County 146.2682.365.298.198.011.610.0013.482.820.841.39
Montmorency County 165.38103.790.0011.688.860.000.0011.331.080.892.43
Oscoda County 151.0156.390.0017.428.709.772.6015.292.020.512.81
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Alpena County28,8357331,9352861,5194,8513454,1557232,3467666
Michigan (in 000's)10,189956292722031,11227546521269417398
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Presque Isle County13,2122349211214432,8902152,4531811,00115451
Alcona County10,3573111,1191444091,7412386462931,20610268
Montmorency County9,8621698891134912,1131586402719968272
Oscoda County8,526597881462831,8801534591966720277
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Alpena County12.482.546.710.995.2716.821.2014.412.518.140.022.31
Michigan8.330.936.172.671.9910.912.704.562.086.810.173.91
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Presque Isle County14.401.776.970.923.3521.871.6318.571.377.580.113.41
Alcona County11.973.0010.801.393.9516.812.306.242.8311.640.102.59
Montmorency County12.821.719.011.154.9821.431.606.492.7510.100.082.76
Oscoda County15.350.699.241.713.3222.051.795.382.307.880.003.25
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Alpena County 273.17108.7237.21264.16154.1644.33315.97120.29119.4514.1559.13
Michigan 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 42.2785.2819.9853.2065.9697.4429.8183.4288.21193.6571.33
Presque Isle County 190.32112.9334.36168.13200.4460.29407.1265.72111.2366.1887.39
Alcona County 322.68175.0452.16198.02154.0485.14136.77135.72170.9556.2866.24
Montmorency County 184.15146.0442.98249.65196.3359.36142.30131.83148.2747.2970.61
Oscoda County 74.36149.7364.24166.44202.0666.49118.05110.29115.710.0083.17
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Alpena County 646.27127.48186.25496.52233.7145.491,059.84144.20135.407.3182.90
Michigan 236.58117.26500.54187.96151.60102.63335.43119.87113.3651.64140.20
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Presque Isle County 450.27132.43171.97316.03303.8861.881,365.5878.79126.0934.18122.52
Alcona County 763.40205.25261.08372.21233.5387.38458.76162.69193.7929.0792.87
Montmorency County 435.66171.24215.16469.26297.6560.92477.31158.03168.0824.4298.99
Oscoda County 175.93175.57321.55312.85306.3368.23395.96132.21131.170.00116.61
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Alpena County28,835163113018626582,2666,462
Michigan (in 000's)10,189572514282015120211801,1431,828
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Presque Isle County13,2120822300014115082,758
Alcona County10,357080150112138412,255
Montmorency County9,862826310500186862,105
Oscoda County8,5267100000255032,359
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Alpena County12.480.000.220.000.050.000.060.020.090.207.8622.41
Michigan8.330.560.250.130.280.191.480.200.211.7711.2217.94
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Presque Isle County14.400.000.060.020.170.000.000.000.110.083.8420.87
Alcona County11.970.000.080.000.140.000.010.010.020.138.1221.77
Montmorency County12.820.080.260.030.010.000.050.000.000.186.9621.34
Oscoda County15.350.080.010.000.000.000.000.000.020.065.9027.67
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Alpena County 0.6287.972.5916.180.004.2110.5943.7611.3970.04124.91
Michigan 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 232.02353.11172.65161.15287.09107.01243.66173.8231.85122.8782.82
Presque Isle County 0.0024.3811.3162.470.000.000.0051.424.7134.27116.36
Alcona County 0.0031.100.0051.970.000.654.929.377.1172.37121.36
Montmorency County 14.48106.1522.743.640.003.420.000.0010.3362.00118.97
Oscoda County 14.664.720.000.000.000.000.0011.383.3252.58154.22
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Alpena County 0.2724.911.5010.040.003.934.3525.1735.7657.00150.83
Michigan 43.1028.3257.9262.0634.8393.4541.0457.53313.9981.38120.75
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Presque Isle County 0.006.906.5538.770.000.000.0029.5914.8027.89140.50
Alcona County 0.008.810.0032.250.000.612.025.3922.3258.90146.54
Montmorency County 6.2430.0613.172.260.003.190.000.0032.4550.46143.66
Oscoda County 6.321.340.000.000.000.000.006.5510.4342.79186.22


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025