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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)

Cherokee County	49,105	1,657	15,836	21	289	2,992	80	0	292	324	165	117
Oklahoma (in 000's)	4,117	225	305	8	28	390	37	16	22	185	53	46
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
Wagoner County	92,003	4,803	8,326	30	549	5,761	429	269	302	1,933	676	478
Muskogee County	66,143	5,295	11,486	43	393	3,428	348	87	284	3,906	1,220	1,241
Mayes County	40,306	1,901	8,077	27	131	1,250	24	19	48	67	17	83
Delaware County	41,795	1,950	8,595	35	80	1,440	93	24	89	100	11	39
Sequoyah County	40,688	2,559	8,702	14	121	1,585	146	0	29	443	129	133
Adair County	19,963	535	8,317	12	17	1,199	25	18	48	30	2	20

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Cherokee County	19.92	3.37	32.25	0.04	0.59	6.09	0.16	0.00	0.59	0.66	0.34	0.24
Oklahoma	11.59	5.47	7.42	0.19	0.67	9.46	0.89	0.39	0.53	4.48	1.30	1.12
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
Wagoner County	12.64	5.22	9.05	0.03	0.60	6.26	0.47	0.29	0.33	2.10	0.73	0.52
Muskogee County	14.15	8.01	17.37	0.07	0.59	5.18	0.53	0.13	0.43	5.91	1.84	1.88
Mayes County	17.20	4.72	20.04	0.07	0.33	3.10	0.06	0.05	0.12	0.17	0.04	0.21
Delaware County	15.47	4.67	20.56	0.08	0.19	3.45	0.22	0.06	0.21	0.24	0.03	0.09
Sequoyah County	18.35	6.29	21.39	0.03	0.30	3.90	0.36	0.00	0.07	1.09	0.32	0.33
Adair County	26.17	2.68	41.66	0.06	0.09	6.01	0.13	0.09	0.24	0.15	0.01	0.10

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

Cherokee County		61.70	434.89	22.79	87.85	64.38	18.34	0.00	112.68	14.72	25.90	21.30
Oklahoma		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		73.99	8.70	97.26	492.57	119.68	202.70	345.74	203.52	168.25	176.32	186.88
Wagoner County		95.46	122.04	17.38	89.07	66.17	52.49	74.72	62.20	46.86	56.63	46.45
Muskogee County		146.38	234.18	34.65	88.69	54.76	59.22	33.61	81.36	131.71	142.17	167.76
Mayes County		86.24	270.23	35.70	48.51	32.77	6.70	12.05	22.57	3.71	3.25	18.41
Delaware County		85.31	277.32	44.63	28.57	36.41	25.05	14.67	40.35	5.34	2.03	8.34
Sequoyah County		115.00	288.41	18.34	44.39	41.16	40.39	0.00	13.51	24.28	24.44	29.23
Adair County		49.00	561.82	32.04	12.71	63.46	14.10	23.04	45.56	3.35	0.77	8.96

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

Cherokee County		83.39	5,001.52	23.44	17.83	53.79	9.05	0.00	55.36	8.75	14.69	11.40
Oklahoma		135.15	1,150.07	102.82	20.30	83.55	49.33	28.92	49.13	59.44	56.71	53.51
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Wagoner County		129.01	1,403.51	17.87	18.08	55.28	25.89	21.61	30.56	27.85	32.12	24.86
Muskogee County		197.83	2,693.19	35.63	18.01	45.76	29.22	9.72	39.98	78.28	80.63	89.77
Mayes County		116.55	3,107.87	36.71	9.85	27.38	3.31	3.48	11.09	2.20	1.84	9.85
Delaware County		115.30	3,189.36	45.89	5.80	30.42	12.36	4.24	19.83	3.17	1.15	4.46
Sequoyah County		155.42	3,316.92	18.86	9.01	34.39	19.93	0.00	6.64	14.43	13.86	15.64
Adair County		66.23	6,461.35	32.94	2.58	53.03	6.95	6.66	22.39	1.99	0.44	4.79

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

Cherokee County	49,105	56	1,736	145	265	1,824	159	91	270	2,113	140	554
Oklahoma (in 000's)	4,117	6	254	22	32	270	35	16	39	265	13	69
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
Wagoner County	92,003	134	6,881	649	807	7,084	886	478	1,063	6,629	331	1,868
Muskogee County	66,143	65	2,122	160	367	2,342	338	136	326	3,005	56	554
Mayes County	40,306	26	1,914	219	230	2,500	317	192	305	2,727	33	377
Delaware County	41,795	51	2,578	260	329	2,977	287	176	369	2,952	144	412
Sequoyah County	40,688	28	1,482	191	174	1,522	257	77	185	1,783	12	377
Adair County	19,963	25	331	35	54	418	34	22	31	499	7	54

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Cherokee County	19.92	0.11	3.54	0.30	0.54	3.71	0.32	0.19	0.55	4.30	0.29	1.13
Oklahoma	11.59	0.14	6.18	0.53	0.78	6.56	0.86	0.39	0.95	6.43	0.31	1.66
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
Wagoner County	12.64	0.15	7.48	0.71	0.88	7.70	0.96	0.52	1.16	7.21	0.36	2.03
Muskogee County	14.15	0.10	3.21	0.24	0.55	3.54	0.51	0.21	0.49	4.54	0.08	0.84
Mayes County	17.20	0.06	4.75	0.54	0.57	6.20	0.79	0.48	0.76	6.77	0.08	0.94
Delaware County	15.47	0.12	6.17	0.62	0.79	7.12	0.69	0.42	0.88	7.06	0.34	0.99
Sequoyah County	18.35	0.07	3.64	0.47	0.43	3.74	0.63	0.19	0.45	4.38	0.03	0.93
Adair County	26.17	0.13	1.66	0.18	0.27	2.09	0.17	0.11	0.16	2.50	0.04	0.27

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

Cherokee County		79.30	57.21	55.58	69.33	56.65	37.67	47.96	57.95	66.93	93.16	67.77
Oklahoma		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		273.52	85.18	100.24	136.29	109.78	305.96	351.89	183.25	93.45	108.55	167.36
Wagoner County		101.28	121.03	132.78	112.68	117.42	112.03	134.47	121.77	112.06	117.56	121.96
Muskogee County		68.34	51.92	45.53	71.28	54.00	59.45	53.22	51.94	70.66	27.67	50.31
Mayes County		44.86	76.84	102.27	73.31	94.59	91.50	123.29	79.75	105.23	26.75	56.19
Delaware County		84.85	99.82	117.09	101.12	108.63	79.89	108.99	93.05	109.85	112.58	59.21
Sequoyah County		47.85	58.94	88.36	54.94	57.05	73.48	48.98	47.92	68.16	9.64	55.66
Adair County		87.08	26.83	33.00	34.75	31.93	19.81	28.52	16.37	38.88	11.46	16.25

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

Cherokee County		28.99	67.16	55.45	50.86	51.60	12.31	13.63	31.62	71.61	85.83	40.49
Oklahoma		36.56	117.39	99.76	73.37	91.10	32.68	28.42	54.57	107.00	92.13	59.75
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Wagoner County		37.03	142.08	132.46	82.67	106.97	36.62	38.21	66.45	119.91	108.30	72.87
Muskogee County		24.98	60.95	45.42	52.30	49.19	19.43	15.12	28.34	75.61	25.49	30.06
Mayes County		16.40	90.21	102.03	53.78	86.17	29.90	35.04	43.52	112.60	24.65	33.57
Delaware County		31.02	117.18	116.81	74.19	98.95	26.11	30.97	50.77	117.55	103.72	35.38
Sequoyah County		17.50	69.19	88.15	40.31	51.97	24.02	13.92	26.15	72.93	8.88	33.26
Adair County		31.84	31.50	32.92	25.50	29.09	6.48	8.11	8.93	41.60	10.56	9.71

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

Cherokee County	49,105	52	130	0	25	31	48	43	30	31	12,461	7,128
Oklahoma (in 000's)	4,117	12	8	2	5	22	20	14	12	11	798	878
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
Wagoner County	92,003	40	155	58	124	51	162	184	1,053	150	18,536	21,124
Muskogee County	66,143	41	65	39	45	87	72	67	65	48	15,847	12,565
Mayes County	40,306	12	33	6	0	27	21	23	87	108	9,106	10,399
Delaware County	41,795	50	104	0	21	30	19	10	339	44	9,041	9,146
Sequoyah County	40,688	38	82	3	13	11	78	41	35	24	9,128	11,286
Adair County	19,963	20	9	0	3	87	0	0	98	0	4,615	3,398

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Cherokee County	19.92	0.11	0.26	0.00	0.05	0.06	0.10	0.09	0.06	0.06	25.38	14.52
Oklahoma	11.59	0.30	0.20	0.05	0.12	0.52	0.49	0.33	0.30	0.26	19.39	21.33
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
Wagoner County	12.64	0.04	0.17	0.06	0.13	0.06	0.18	0.20	1.14	0.16	20.15	22.96
Muskogee County	14.15	0.06	0.10	0.06	0.07	0.13	0.11	0.10	0.10	0.07	23.96	19.00
Mayes County	17.20	0.03	0.08	0.01	0.00	0.07	0.05	0.06	0.22	0.27	22.59	25.80
Delaware County	15.47	0.12	0.25	0.00	0.05	0.07	0.05	0.02	0.81	0.11	21.63	21.88
Sequoyah County	18.35	0.09	0.20	0.01	0.03	0.03	0.19	0.10	0.09	0.06	22.43	27.74
Adair County	26.17	0.10	0.05	0.00	0.02	0.44	0.00	0.00	0.49	0.00	23.12	17.02

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

Cherokee County		35.73	131.40	0.00	41.17	12.03	20.00	26.41	20.49	23.84	130.90	68.04
Oklahoma		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		438.49	435.29	439.40	363.10	106.22	324.91	144.34	120.13	212.37	71.11	69.65
Wagoner County		14.67	83.62	119.92	108.98	10.57	36.02	60.31	383.86	61.56	103.92	107.63
Muskogee County		20.91	48.78	112.17	55.01	25.07	22.27	30.55	32.96	27.40	123.58	89.05
Mayes County		10.05	40.64	28.32	0.00	12.77	10.66	17.21	72.39	101.17	116.54	120.94
Delaware County		40.36	123.50	0.00	40.63	13.68	9.30	7.22	272.04	39.75	111.58	102.58
Sequoyah County		31.51	100.03	14.03	25.84	5.15	39.21	30.39	28.85	22.27	115.72	130.02
Adair County		33.80	22.38	0.00	12.15	83.07	0.00	0.00	164.65	0.00	119.25	79.79

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

Cherokee County		8.15	30.19	0.00	11.34	11.33	6.15	18.30	17.06	11.22	184.07	97.70
Oklahoma		22.81	22.97	22.76	27.54	94.14	30.78	69.28	83.25	47.09	140.62	143.58
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Wagoner County		3.35	19.21	27.29	30.01	9.95	11.09	41.78	319.55	28.99	146.14	154.53
Muskogee County		4.77	11.21	25.53	15.15	23.60	6.85	21.16	27.44	12.90	173.78	127.86
Mayes County		2.29	9.34	6.44	0.00	12.02	3.28	11.92	60.26	47.64	163.87	173.65
Delaware County		9.20	28.37	0.00	11.19	12.88	2.86	5.00	226.46	18.72	156.91	147.28
Sequoyah County		7.19	22.98	3.19	7.12	4.85	12.07	21.05	24.02	10.49	162.73	186.69
Adair County		7.71	5.14	0.00	3.35	78.20	0.00	0.00	137.06	0.00	167.68	114.56

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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