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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)

Somerset County	360,198	6,051	323	72	20,070	7,508	12,391	16,932	3,616	18,755	6,107	7,323
New Jersey (in 000's)	9,570	185	12	2	988	236	261	471	121	661	250	276
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
Middlesex County	896,490	9,010	1,361	200	105,417	29,981	22,342	34,569	10,464	46,425	18,107	19,164
Union County	601,221	10,894	586	83	70,799	10,802	46,056	63,026	13,654	62,508	24,021	31,510
Morris County	526,439	10,921	437	103	26,315	8,854	13,191	27,137	4,889	7,967	3,805	4,348
Mercer County	396,773	4,829	449	102	35,082	5,433	25,810	14,078	5,518	42,349	15,230	15,806
Hunterdon County	132,050	4,046	97	8	4,600	2,097	2,345	2,120	491	1,744	631	806

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Somerset County	7.15	1.68	0.09	0.02	5.57	2.08	3.44	4.70	1.00	5.21	1.70	2.03
New Jersey	6.77	1.94	0.12	0.02	10.32	2.46	2.73	4.92	1.26	6.91	2.61	2.89
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
Middlesex County	8.96	1.01	0.15	0.02	11.76	3.34	2.49	3.86	1.17	5.18	2.02	2.14
Union County	7.61	1.81	0.10	0.01	11.78	1.80	7.66	10.48	2.27	10.40	4.00	5.24
Morris County	7.49	2.07	0.08	0.02	5.00	1.68	2.51	5.15	0.93	1.51	0.72	0.83
Mercer County	6.83	1.22	0.11	0.03	8.84	1.37	6.50	3.55	1.39	10.67	3.84	3.98
Hunterdon County	8.45	3.06	0.07	0.01	3.48	1.59	1.78	1.61	0.37	1.32	0.48	0.61

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

Somerset County		86.73	72.95	95.22	53.98	84.70	125.91	95.55	79.60	75.38	64.90	70.38
New Jersey		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		208.91	524.57	869.26	31.97	460.26	65.91	27.50	85.16	109.21	87.56	72.35
Middlesex County		51.89	123.51	106.27	113.92	135.89	91.22	78.38	92.55	74.97	77.31	74.00
Union County		93.55	79.30	65.76	114.09	73.01	280.38	213.08	180.07	150.52	152.93	181.42
Morris County		107.10	67.53	93.20	48.43	68.34	91.71	104.78	73.64	21.91	27.67	28.59
Mercer County		62.83	92.06	122.46	85.66	55.64	238.09	72.12	110.27	154.52	146.93	137.90
Hunterdon County		158.18	59.76	28.86	33.75	64.53	65.00	32.63	29.48	19.12	18.29	21.13

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

Somerset County		41.51	13.91	10.95	168.85	18.40	191.03	347.44	93.47	69.02	74.12	97.27
New Jersey		47.87	19.06	11.50	312.78	21.73	151.72	363.63	117.42	91.57	114.20	138.22
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Middlesex County		24.84	23.54	12.23	356.33	29.53	138.39	285.01	108.67	68.65	88.29	102.28
Union County		44.78	15.12	7.57	356.85	15.86	425.39	774.82	211.44	137.82	174.66	250.76
Morris County		51.26	12.87	10.72	151.48	14.85	139.14	381.01	86.46	20.06	31.60	39.52
Mercer County		30.08	17.55	14.09	267.94	12.09	361.23	262.25	129.48	141.49	167.80	190.60
Hunterdon County		75.72	11.39	3.32	105.56	14.02	98.61	118.66	34.62	17.51	20.89	29.20

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

Somerset County	360,198	604	9,125	1,343	1,572	14,940	24,178	10,549	2,645	19,685	1,514	14,031
New Jersey (in 000's)	9,570	13	244	35	41	421	752	238	56	636	33	348
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
Middlesex County	896,490	559	8,591	992	1,995	18,863	41,906	21,157	2,986	32,510	2,110	28,726
Union County	601,221	557	7,979	837	1,444	13,802	29,303	12,201	2,076	22,558	2,998	16,741
Morris County	526,439	1,233	20,085	3,797	3,221	33,817	60,996	16,496	5,899	49,141	2,902	26,038
Mercer County	396,773	571	11,257	1,251	1,978	15,041	22,187	10,291	2,241	19,186	857	12,565
Hunterdon County	132,050	402	8,369	1,257	1,261	14,630	15,803	5,595	1,962	15,994	721	8,667

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Somerset County	7.15	0.17	2.53	0.37	0.44	4.15	6.71	2.93	0.73	5.47	0.42	3.90
New Jersey	6.77	0.14	2.55	0.36	0.43	4.39	7.86	2.48	0.59	6.65	0.34	3.64
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
Middlesex County	8.96	0.06	0.96	0.11	0.22	2.10	4.67	2.36	0.33	3.63	0.24	3.20
Union County	7.61	0.09	1.33	0.14	0.24	2.30	4.87	2.03	0.35	3.75	0.50	2.78
Morris County	7.49	0.23	3.82	0.72	0.61	6.42	11.59	3.13	1.12	9.33	0.55	4.95
Mercer County	6.83	0.14	2.84	0.32	0.50	3.79	5.59	2.59	0.56	4.84	0.22	3.17
Hunterdon County	8.45	0.30	6.34	0.95	0.95	11.08	11.97	4.24	1.49	12.11	0.55	6.56

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

Somerset County		119.76	99.39	102.43	100.82	94.39	85.39	117.94	124.57	82.20	123.28	107.14
New Jersey		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		280.93	206.52	146.31	245.11	163.80	33.46	54.75	294.99	90.38	97.43	76.63
Middlesex County		44.53	37.60	30.40	51.41	47.88	59.46	95.04	56.50	54.55	69.03	88.13
Union County		66.17	52.07	38.25	55.49	52.24	62.00	81.73	58.58	56.44	146.26	76.58
Morris County		167.28	149.68	198.16	141.35	146.18	147.39	126.19	190.09	140.41	161.68	136.03
Mercer County		102.78	111.30	86.62	115.17	86.26	71.13	104.45	95.82	72.74	63.35	87.10
Hunterdon County		217.43	248.64	261.52	220.61	252.12	152.23	170.64	252.06	182.19	160.14	180.52

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

Somerset County		42.63	48.13	70.01	41.13	57.62	255.23	215.41	42.23	90.95	126.53	139.81
New Jersey		35.60	48.42	68.35	40.80	61.05	298.91	182.63	33.90	110.64	102.64	130.50
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Middlesex County		15.85	18.20	20.78	20.97	29.23	177.74	173.58	19.16	60.35	70.85	115.01
Union County		23.55	25.21	26.14	22.64	31.89	185.32	149.26	19.86	62.44	150.11	99.94
Morris County		59.54	72.48	135.44	57.67	89.24	440.56	230.47	64.44	155.35	165.95	177.52
Mercer County		36.59	53.90	59.20	46.99	52.66	212.62	190.77	32.48	80.48	65.02	113.66
Hunterdon County		77.40	120.40	178.75	90.01	153.91	455.04	311.64	85.45	201.58	164.37	235.57

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

Somerset County	360,198	17,038	5,867	647	2,457	876	40,243	1,151	1,280	2,383	58,114	30,808
New Jersey (in 000's)	9,570	172	124	16	103	23	473	33	23	84	1,309	928
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
Middlesex County	896,490	30,548	16,471	802	6,973	3,009	164,106	5,246	4,252	7,235	134,345	66,068
Union County	601,221	7,651	7,974	506	1,639	849	11,976	1,645	1,374	2,815	81,453	38,904
Morris County	526,439	14,333	4,373	721	3,362	1,121	31,803	1,298	1,450	4,879	76,193	55,314
Mercer County	396,773	9,906	3,011	984	2,990	482	28,669	997	1,411	2,377	55,010	28,825
Hunterdon County	132,050	1,137	678	28	302	167	3,092	168	279	947	15,018	16,588

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Somerset County	7.15	4.73	1.63	0.18	0.68	0.24	11.17	0.32	0.36	0.66	16.13	8.55
New Jersey	6.77	1.80	1.30	0.17	1.08	0.24	4.94	0.35	0.24	0.88	13.68	9.70
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
Middlesex County	8.96	3.41	1.84	0.09	0.78	0.34	18.31	0.59	0.47	0.81	14.99	7.37
Union County	7.61	1.27	1.33	0.08	0.27	0.14	1.99	0.27	0.23	0.47	13.55	6.47
Morris County	7.49	2.72	0.83	0.14	0.64	0.21	6.04	0.25	0.28	0.93	14.47	10.51
Mercer County	6.83	2.50	0.76	0.25	0.75	0.12	7.23	0.25	0.36	0.60	13.86	7.26
Hunterdon County	8.45	0.86	0.51	0.02	0.23	0.13	2.34	0.13	0.21	0.72	11.37	12.56

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

Somerset County		262.70	125.51	107.81	63.40	101.19	226.15	91.61	146.72	74.97	117.91	88.20
New Jersey		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		72.18	67.58	138.64	41.74	231.86	32.15	137.22	147.88	63.74	100.75	153.22
Middlesex County		189.24	141.57	53.70	72.29	139.65	370.53	167.76	195.83	91.45	109.52	76.00
Union County		70.67	102.20	50.52	25.34	58.75	40.32	78.44	94.36	53.06	99.01	66.73
Morris County		151.21	64.01	82.20	59.36	88.60	122.28	70.69	113.72	105.02	105.77	108.36
Mercer County		138.65	58.47	148.85	70.04	50.54	146.26	72.04	146.83	67.89	101.32	74.92
Hunterdon County		47.82	39.56	12.73	21.26	52.62	47.40	36.47	87.24	81.27	83.11	129.54

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

Somerset County		363.96	185.72	77.76	151.91	43.64	703.42	66.76	99.22	117.62	117.03	57.57
New Jersey		138.55	147.98	72.13	239.60	43.13	311.05	72.88	67.62	156.89	99.25	65.26
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Middlesex County		262.19	209.49	38.73	173.21	60.23	1,152.51	122.26	132.42	143.48	108.70	49.60
Union County		97.92	151.23	36.44	60.71	25.34	125.41	57.17	63.81	83.24	98.27	43.55
Morris County		209.49	94.72	59.29	142.22	38.21	380.35	51.51	76.90	164.77	104.98	70.72
Mercer County		192.10	86.53	107.37	167.82	21.80	454.92	52.50	99.29	106.51	100.57	48.90
Hunterdon County		66.25	58.54	9.18	50.93	22.69	147.42	26.58	58.99	127.50	82.49	84.55

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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