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Wayne 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:

15.96

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)

Wayne County9,85623921102570525113331294245
Nebraska (in 000's)2,024601511517436612562513
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Madison County35,73495935085164,3742931282241788693
Cuming County9,041213208101,00580901839
Cedar County8,293374132117112101170
Pierce County7,3512081721812310182623
Thurston County6,745243,93854919617071034
Stanton County5,819193176153516051044
Dixon County5,587136180405942041718370
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Wayne County15.962.420.210.100.257.152.550.130.331.310.430.46
Nebraska11.142.980.730.060.738.621.760.300.572.781.230.64
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Madison County15.412.680.980.021.4412.240.820.360.630.500.240.26
Cuming County23.892.360.220.090.1111.120.090.001.000.200.030.10
Cedar County26.604.510.160.020.012.060.140.010.000.130.080.00
Pierce County27.302.830.230.030.241.670.010.000.240.350.030.04
Thurston County38.310.3658.380.070.732.910.250.000.100.150.040.06
Stanton County18.333.320.290.100.266.030.100.000.090.170.070.07
Dixon County14.702.430.320.000.7210.633.650.300.320.050.130.00
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wayne County 81.2429.36156.9634.7383.02144.6243.8958.9047.0534.6971.09
Nebraska 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 135.5788.84282.31451.82131.47102.26450.21188.94271.18186.24325.46
Madison County 89.91134.9434.63197.71142.0746.56119.19110.2717.9119.5940.53
Cuming County 78.9330.48136.8915.14129.025.020.00175.117.162.7015.50
Cedar County 151.0921.6037.311.6523.938.224.010.004.776.870.00
Pierce County 94.7931.8642.0933.5319.420.770.0043.0712.712.226.35
Thurston County 11.928,043.85114.6899.4733.7314.310.0018.265.333.629.23
Stanton County 111.1240.25159.5135.2970.015.860.0015.126.185.6010.70
Dixon County 81.5544.390.0098.03123.40207.35101.2556.671.9310.200.00
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wayne County 59.9233.0455.607.6963.15141.429.7531.1717.3518.6321.84
Nebraska 73.76112.5735.4222.1376.0797.7922.2152.9336.8853.6930.73
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Madison County 66.32151.9012.2743.76108.0745.5326.4858.366.6010.5212.45
Cuming County 58.2234.3148.493.3598.144.910.0092.682.641.454.76
Cedar County 111.4524.3113.220.3718.208.040.890.001.763.690.00
Pierce County 69.9235.8714.917.4214.770.760.0022.804.691.191.95
Thurston County 8.799,054.7440.6222.0125.6614.000.009.661.971.942.84
Stanton County 81.9645.3156.507.8153.255.730.008.002.283.013.29
Dixon County 60.1549.970.0021.7093.87202.7622.4930.000.715.480.00
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Wayne County9,8566340051843,1781251465897070325
Nebraska (in 000's)2,02441081619425283490145590
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Madison County35,734571,29515722710,1461462331,5031,82261,375
Cuming County9,041821933363,832283346329914241
Cedar County8,2932825989833,824136268535010291
Pierce County7,3513321126623,3956410139941220308
Thurston County6,7451451519474532108104850
Stanton County5,819328760521,90526673012710381
Dixon County5,5871021737411,60232284774746131
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Wayne County15.960.644.060.520.8532.241.271.485.987.170.003.30
Nebraska11.140.215.350.770.9520.981.361.704.457.160.244.43
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Madison County15.410.163.620.440.6428.390.410.654.215.100.023.85
Cuming County23.890.092.420.370.4042.380.310.375.123.310.152.67
Cedar County26.600.343.121.071.0046.110.160.758.264.220.123.51
Pierce County27.300.452.870.350.8446.180.871.375.435.600.274.19
Thurston County38.310.010.670.220.287.030.070.471.601.540.120.74
Stanton County18.330.054.931.030.8932.740.451.155.174.660.006.55
Dixon County14.700.183.880.660.7328.670.570.508.548.480.112.34
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wayne County 309.8075.8266.9189.45153.6993.2186.99134.23100.230.0074.41
Nebraska 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 190.6498.3468.86111.3534.31193.2979.8439.0683.95137.5262.88
Madison County 77.3167.7056.8166.67135.3330.0338.2994.4871.246.9586.84
Cuming County 42.8945.2547.2041.79202.0222.7621.43115.0346.2164.1060.16
Cedar County 163.6458.35138.77105.04219.7811.5243.90185.5358.9749.9279.19
Pierce County 217.5853.6245.7388.52220.1363.9980.69121.9278.31112.6394.55
Thurston County 7.1912.4628.7629.5633.505.4527.8635.9721.5449.1016.73
Stanton County 24.9992.14133.3393.79156.0432.8467.62116.1965.070.00147.76
Dixon County 86.7572.5685.6377.02136.6742.1029.43191.77118.5444.4652.91
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wayne County 162.5177.1097.1680.33447.9548.22108.95343.68119.380.00118.35
Nebraska 52.45101.68145.2289.81291.4651.74125.25256.03119.1172.72159.05
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Madison County 40.5568.8482.5059.87394.4415.5447.96241.8984.865.05138.11
Cuming County 22.5046.0268.5437.53588.8211.7826.85294.5155.0446.6295.67
Cedar County 85.8459.33201.5294.33640.595.9654.99475.0370.2436.30125.94
Pierce County 114.1354.5366.4179.50641.6033.10101.06312.1593.2881.90150.38
Thurston County 3.7712.6741.7626.5597.632.8234.8992.0825.6635.7026.61
Stanton County 13.1193.69193.6284.23454.8016.9984.69297.4877.510.00235.00
Dixon County 45.5073.78124.3569.17398.3421.7836.86491.00141.2032.3384.16
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Wayne County9,85612380220211179241,658
Nebraska (in 000's)2,02465239131147218369
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Madison County35,73443344115154415634164,4906,607
Cuming County9,0410503007417631,668
Cedar County8,2930030030863761,611
Pierce County7,3512001005502771,612
Thurston County6,745000001212531,219371
Stanton County5,8190710000825141,323
Dixon County5,5870500028020637823
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Wayne County15.960.120.390.000.220.000.020.010.010.179.3816.82
Nebraska11.140.300.230.080.140.450.630.530.220.3610.7918.25
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Madison County15.410.120.100.010.320.040.120.440.100.0412.5718.49
Cuming County23.890.000.060.000.030.000.000.080.040.018.4418.45
Cedar County26.600.000.000.040.000.000.040.000.100.074.5319.43
Pierce County27.300.030.000.000.010.000.000.070.070.003.7721.93
Thurston County38.310.000.000.000.000.000.180.010.370.0418.075.50
Stanton County18.330.000.120.020.000.000.000.000.140.038.8322.74
Dixon County14.700.000.090.000.000.000.500.000.040.0011.4014.73
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wayne County 41.04164.940.00154.790.003.201.934.6148.2386.8592.17
Nebraska 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 438.08375.19283.27311.39125.00250.7690.85162.65157.29127.7281.41
Madison County 40.5640.7013.73223.179.4219.4482.8743.2112.52116.40101.31
Cuming County 0.0023.660.0023.010.000.0014.7020.093.0978.18101.09
Cedar County 0.000.0044.360.000.005.710.0043.8120.2342.00106.44
Pierce County 9.170.000.009.430.000.0012.9130.890.0034.91120.15
Thurston County 0.000.000.000.000.0028.092.81168.3112.44167.4230.14
Stanton County 0.0051.4621.080.000.000.000.0062.439.6181.83124.57
Dixon County 0.0038.290.000.000.0079.120.0016.260.00105.6280.71
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Wayne County 9.3743.960.0049.710.001.282.122.8330.6768.00113.22
Nebraska 22.8326.6535.3032.1180.0039.88110.0761.4863.5878.30122.84
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Madison County 9.2610.854.8571.677.537.7591.2126.577.9691.14124.44
Cuming County 0.006.310.007.390.000.0016.1812.351.9761.21124.17
Cedar County 0.000.0015.660.000.002.280.0026.9312.8632.89130.74
Pierce County 2.090.000.003.030.000.0014.2118.990.0027.33147.59
Thurston County 0.000.000.000.000.0011.203.10103.487.91131.0937.02
Stanton County 0.0013.727.440.000.000.000.0038.386.1164.07153.02
Dixon County 0.0010.200.000.000.0031.550.009.990.0082.7099.14


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025