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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
Description	Total Population	American	Native American	Hawaiian	Caribbean (Latino)	Mexican	Central American	South American	Other Hispanic	African American	Sub- Saharan	Caribbean (Black)

Tuscola County	52,581	2,384	149	12	186	1,486	2	0	160	303	80	78
Michigan (in 000's)	10,189	362	46	3	80	410	30	24	33	889	246	208
National (in 000's)	343,251	13,890	2,213	626	11,327	38,879	6,181	4,644	3,687	25,893	7,852	7,174
Genesee County	401,839	19,514	1,252	102	2,274	12,348	439	491	760	50,737	13,207	11,508
Saginaw County	187,244	5,457	367	62	1,086	14,020	87	420	1,132	21,379	6,120	5,327
Bay County	102,660	3,231	317	0	188	5,143	51	81	401	908	305	238
Lapeer County	89,731	4,916	249	8	729	3,108	157	193	212	830	58	52
Sanilac County	40,381	1,968	100	2	117	1,408	4	49	100	107	25	21
Huron County	30,705	1,176	80	5	124	640	16	3	50	61	7	33

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Tuscola County	14.93	4.53	0.28	0.02	0.35	2.83	0.00	0.00	0.30	0.58	0.15	0.15
Michigan	8.33	3.56	0.45	0.03	0.78	4.02	0.29	0.23	0.32	8.73	2.41	2.04
National	7.83	4.05	0.64	0.18	3.30	11.33	1.80	1.35	1.07	7.54	2.29	2.09
Genesee County	9.61	4.86	0.31	0.03	0.57	3.07	0.11	0.12	0.19	12.63	3.29	2.86
Saginaw County	9.89	2.91	0.20	0.03	0.58	7.49	0.05	0.22	0.60	11.42	3.27	2.84
Bay County	12.70	3.15	0.31	0.00	0.18	5.01	0.05	0.08	0.39	0.88	0.30	0.23
Lapeer County	12.74	5.48	0.28	0.01	0.81	3.46	0.17	0.22	0.24	0.92	0.06	0.06
Sanilac County	13.76	4.87	0.25	0.00	0.29	3.49	0.01	0.12	0.25	0.26	0.06	0.05
Huron County	15.78	3.83	0.26	0.02	0.40	2.08	0.05	0.01	0.16	0.20	0.02	0.11

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Tuscola County		127.50	63.03	90.13	45.30	70.32	1.29	0.00	94.35	6.60	6.31	7.26
Michigan		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		113.79	143.43	720.69	422.60	281.82	610.65	580.03	333.03	86.44	94.86	102.36
Genesee County		136.56	69.30	100.25	72.47	76.46	37.05	52.38	58.64	144.67	136.29	140.25
Saginaw County		81.95	43.60	130.77	74.27	186.30	15.76	96.16	187.45	130.83	135.53	139.33
Bay County		88.50	68.69	0.00	23.45	124.65	16.85	33.83	121.11	10.13	12.32	11.35
Lapeer County		154.06	61.73	35.21	104.04	86.18	59.33	92.21	73.26	10.60	2.68	2.84
Sanilac County		137.05	55.08	19.56	37.10	86.75	3.36	52.02	76.78	3.04	2.57	2.55
Huron County		107.70	57.96	64.31	51.72	51.86	17.67	4.19	50.49	2.28	0.95	5.26

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Tuscola County		112.04	43.95	12.51	10.72	24.95	0.21	0.00	28.33	7.64	6.65	7.10
Michigan		87.88	69.72	13.88	23.66	35.48	16.38	17.24	30.03	115.69	105.42	97.69
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Genesee County		120.00	48.32	13.91	17.15	27.13	6.07	9.03	17.61	167.38	143.68	137.02
Saginaw County		72.02	30.40	18.15	17.58	66.11	2.58	16.58	56.29	151.36	142.88	136.12
Bay County		77.77	47.89	0.00	5.55	44.23	2.76	5.83	36.37	11.72	12.99	11.09
Lapeer County		135.39	43.04	4.89	24.62	30.58	9.72	15.90	22.00	12.26	2.83	2.77
Sanilac County		120.43	38.41	2.71	8.78	30.78	0.55	8.97	23.06	3.51	2.71	2.49
Huron County		94.65	40.41	8.92	12.24	18.40	2.89	0.72	15.16	2.63	1.00	5.14

Ancestry Report Part II
Description	Total Population	Canadian	British	Dutch	French	German	Italian	Polish	Scandinavian	Scotish/ Irish	Spanish	Other European

Tuscola County	52,581	760	4,430	471	1,596	11,499	764	3,049	608	4,291	73	1,534
Michigan (in 000's)	10,189	95	629	272	203	1,112	275	465	212	694	17	398
National (in 000's)	343,251	1,350	18,069	1,828	3,642	24,708	9,027	4,667	5,969	20,625	1,140	9,563
Genesee County	401,839	5,048	28,054	3,142	8,434	38,239	6,601	13,228	6,135	30,449	495	14,045
Saginaw County	187,244	1,583	8,883	944	4,486	30,525	2,627	7,474	1,665	11,043	303	5,080
Bay County	102,660	1,899	5,221	1,063	6,130	18,793	1,315	12,073	1,292	7,003	141	3,212
Lapeer County	89,731	1,449	7,823	1,038	2,697	13,868	2,468	5,168	1,511	8,944	87	3,456
Sanilac County	40,381	552	3,663	341	1,025	7,551	856	2,782	488	4,018	114	1,207
Huron County	30,705	424	2,020	195	829	8,952	521	3,798	290	2,431	43	885

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Tuscola County	14.93	1.45	8.43	0.90	3.04	21.87	1.45	5.80	1.16	8.16	0.14	2.92
Michigan	8.33	0.93	6.17	2.67	1.99	10.91	2.70	4.56	2.08	6.81	0.17	3.91
National	7.83	0.39	5.26	0.53	1.06	7.20	2.63	1.36	1.74	6.01	0.33	2.79
Genesee County	9.61	1.26	6.98	0.78	2.10	9.52	1.64	3.29	1.53	7.58	0.12	3.50
Saginaw County	9.89	0.85	4.74	0.50	2.40	16.30	1.40	3.99	0.89	5.90	0.16	2.71
Bay County	12.70	1.85	5.09	1.04	5.97	18.31	1.28	11.76	1.26	6.82	0.14	3.13
Lapeer County	12.74	1.61	8.72	1.16	3.01	15.46	2.75	5.76	1.68	9.97	0.10	3.85
Sanilac County	13.76	1.37	9.07	0.84	2.54	18.70	2.12	6.89	1.21	9.95	0.28	2.99
Huron County	15.78	1.38	6.58	0.64	2.70	29.15	1.70	12.37	0.94	7.92	0.14	2.88

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Tuscola County		155.32	136.49	33.60	152.20	200.40	53.83	127.15	55.47	119.81	80.93	74.69
Michigan		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		42.27	85.28	19.98	53.20	65.96	97.44	29.81	83.42	88.21	193.65	71.33
Genesee County		134.99	113.10	29.33	105.25	87.20	60.86	72.18	73.25	111.25	71.81	89.48
Saginaw County		90.85	76.86	18.91	120.14	149.39	51.98	87.53	42.66	86.58	94.33	69.45
Bay County		198.78	82.39	38.84	299.42	167.75	47.46	257.87	60.38	100.15	80.07	80.10
Lapeer County		173.53	141.24	43.40	150.72	141.62	101.90	126.29	80.79	146.34	56.52	98.60
Sanilac County		146.90	146.96	31.68	127.28	171.35	78.54	151.07	57.98	146.08	164.57	76.52
Huron County		148.39	106.58	23.82	135.38	267.16	62.87	271.23	45.31	116.24	81.64	73.79

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Tuscola County		367.46	160.05	168.20	286.09	303.81	55.25	426.50	66.50	135.82	41.79	104.71
Michigan		236.58	117.26	500.54	187.96	151.60	102.63	335.43	119.87	113.36	51.64	140.20
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Genesee County		319.37	132.62	146.82	197.82	132.20	62.46	242.12	87.80	126.11	37.08	125.45
Saginaw County		214.93	90.12	94.67	225.81	226.47	53.35	293.59	51.14	98.15	48.71	97.38
Bay County		470.27	96.61	194.43	562.80	254.31	48.71	864.97	72.38	113.53	41.35	112.30
Lapeer County		410.54	165.62	217.22	283.29	214.71	104.58	423.61	96.84	165.89	29.19	138.24
Sanilac County		347.53	172.32	158.57	239.25	259.78	80.60	506.72	69.50	165.60	84.99	107.28
Huron County		351.06	124.97	119.25	254.47	405.03	64.52	909.78	54.32	131.76	42.16	103.45

Ancestry Report Part III
Description	Total Population	Chinese	Filipino	Japanese	Korean	Vietnamese	South Central Asian	South East Asian	Other Asian	Middle Eastern	Other Ancestry	Unknown

Tuscola County	52,581	25	48	1	21	4	15	4	50	118	4,219	14,161
Michigan (in 000's)	10,189	57	25	14	28	20	151	20	21	180	1,143	1,828
National (in 000's)	343,251	4,461	3,010	793	1,541	1,913	5,452	1,643	1,229	1,931	47,322	51,000
Genesee County	401,839	771	407	102	497	187	1,346	288	347	3,096	56,665	71,631
Saginaw County	187,244	356	201	98	148	189	1,004	126	175	941	24,437	29,499
Bay County	102,660	104	15	4	103	14	75	47	106	89	8,767	24,331
Lapeer County	89,731	44	85	16	30	13	53	30	53	222	6,583	23,581
Sanilac County	40,381	10	19	0	19	2	6	7	14	123	3,195	10,488
Huron County	30,705	30	19	1	23	42	6	7	42	32	1,837	6,083

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Tuscola County	14.93	0.05	0.09	0.00	0.04	0.01	0.03	0.01	0.10	0.22	8.02	26.93
Michigan	8.33	0.56	0.25	0.13	0.28	0.19	1.48	0.20	0.21	1.77	11.22	17.94
National	7.83	1.30	0.88	0.23	0.45	0.56	1.59	0.48	0.36	0.56	13.79	14.86
Genesee County	9.61	0.19	0.10	0.03	0.12	0.05	0.33	0.07	0.09	0.77	14.10	17.83
Saginaw County	9.89	0.19	0.11	0.05	0.08	0.10	0.54	0.07	0.09	0.50	13.05	15.75
Bay County	12.70	0.10	0.01	0.00	0.10	0.01	0.07	0.05	0.10	0.09	8.54	23.70
Lapeer County	12.74	0.05	0.09	0.02	0.03	0.01	0.06	0.03	0.06	0.25	7.34	26.28
Sanilac County	13.76	0.02	0.05	0.00	0.05	0.00	0.01	0.02	0.03	0.30	7.91	25.97
Huron County	15.78	0.10	0.06	0.00	0.07	0.14	0.02	0.02	0.14	0.10	5.98	19.81

Comparisons to State Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Tuscola County		8.49	36.75	1.42	14.33	3.92	1.92	3.87	46.15	12.71	71.51	150.12
Michigan		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		232.02	353.11	172.65	161.15	287.09	107.01	243.66	173.82	31.85	122.87	82.82
Genesee County		34.25	40.78	18.97	44.38	23.97	22.57	36.49	41.91	43.63	125.68	99.36
Saginaw County		33.94	43.22	39.12	28.37	52.00	36.12	34.26	45.36	28.46	116.32	87.81
Bay County		18.09	5.88	2.91	36.01	7.03	4.92	23.31	50.11	4.91	76.11	132.11
Lapeer County		8.75	38.14	13.33	12.00	7.46	3.98	17.02	28.66	14.01	65.39	146.48
Sanilac County		4.42	18.94	0.00	16.89	2.55	1.00	8.82	16.83	17.25	70.52	144.77
Huron County		17.44	24.91	2.43	26.88	70.47	1.32	11.61	66.38	5.90	53.32	110.43

Comparisons to National Norms	% to Total >= 150%		% to Total < 50%

Tuscola County		3.66	10.41	0.82	8.89	1.37	1.80	1.59	26.55	39.90	58.20	181.26
Michigan		43.10	28.32	57.92	62.06	34.83	93.45	41.04	57.53	313.99	81.38	120.75
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Genesee County		14.76	11.55	10.99	27.54	8.35	21.09	14.97	24.11	136.98	102.28	119.97
Saginaw County		14.63	12.24	22.66	17.60	18.11	33.76	14.06	26.09	89.35	94.66	106.03
Bay County		7.79	1.67	1.69	22.34	2.45	4.60	9.57	28.83	15.41	61.94	159.51
Lapeer County		3.77	10.80	7.72	7.45	2.60	3.72	6.99	16.49	43.99	53.21	176.87
Sanilac County		1.91	5.36	0.00	10.48	0.89	0.94	3.62	9.68	54.15	57.39	174.81
Huron County		7.52	7.06	1.41	16.68	24.55	1.23	4.76	38.19	18.53	43.40	133.34

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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