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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)

Custer County	28,234	1,741	1,586	1	64	4,952	105	3	291	514	125	128
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
Caddo County	26,819	969	5,141	13	145	3,638	125	109	304	453	122	153
Beckham County	22,332	2,108	734	9	96	2,390	74	8	249	639	186	185
Washita County	10,825	1,208	254	0	10	868	0	1	111	95	10	11
Blaine County	8,592	400	657	5	19	758	63	5	83	156	68	64
Dewey County	4,379	427	270	2	6	241	4	0	8	3	0	0
Roger Mills County	3,357	249	114	1	0	246	0	0	19	2	0	2

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Custer County	13.33	6.17	5.62	0.00	0.23	17.54	0.37	0.01	1.03	1.82	0.44	0.45
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
Caddo County	14.71	3.61	19.17	0.05	0.54	13.57	0.47	0.41	1.13	1.69	0.45	0.57
Beckham County	14.60	9.44	3.29	0.04	0.43	10.70	0.33	0.04	1.11	2.86	0.83	0.83
Washita County	15.02	11.16	2.35	0.00	0.09	8.02	0.00	0.01	1.03	0.88	0.09	0.10
Blaine County	14.11	4.66	7.65	0.06	0.22	8.82	0.73	0.06	0.97	1.82	0.79	0.74
Dewey County	15.20	9.75	6.17	0.05	0.14	5.50	0.09	0.00	0.18	0.07	0.00	0.00
Roger Mills County	17.70	7.42	3.40	0.03	0.00	7.33	0.00	0.00	0.57	0.06	0.00	0.06

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

Custer County		112.75	75.75	1.89	33.83	185.33	41.86	2.72	195.30	40.60	34.13	40.54
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
Caddo County		66.07	258.50	25.83	80.70	143.34	52.46	103.86	214.79	37.67	35.06	51.01
Beckham County		172.60	44.32	21.48	64.17	113.08	37.30	9.15	211.27	63.82	64.20	74.07
Washita County		204.05	31.64	0.00	13.79	84.73	0.00	2.36	194.30	19.57	7.12	9.09
Blaine County		85.13	103.12	31.01	33.01	93.22	82.53	14.87	183.05	40.50	61.00	66.60
Dewey County		178.30	83.15	24.34	20.45	58.15	10.28	0.00	34.62	1.53	0.00	0.00
Roger Mills County		135.63	45.79	15.88	0.00	77.43	0.00	0.00	107.25	1.33	0.00	5.33

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

Custer County		152.38	871.19	1.94	6.87	154.85	20.65	0.79	95.96	24.13	19.35	21.69
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
Caddo County		89.29	2,972.95	26.56	16.38	119.76	25.88	30.04	105.53	22.39	19.89	27.30
Beckham County		233.26	509.74	22.08	13.03	94.49	18.40	2.65	103.81	37.93	36.41	39.64
Washita County		275.77	363.90	0.00	2.80	70.79	0.00	0.68	95.47	11.63	4.04	4.86
Blaine County		115.05	1,185.91	31.89	6.70	77.89	40.72	4.30	89.94	24.07	34.60	35.64
Dewey County		240.97	956.25	25.03	4.15	48.59	5.07	0.00	17.01	0.91	0.00	0.00
Roger Mills County		183.29	526.67	16.32	0.00	64.70	0.00	0.00	52.69	0.79	0.00	2.85

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

Custer County	28,234	46	1,507	151	143	2,879	116	93	255	1,731	122	380
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
Caddo County	26,819	9	979	170	141	1,278	83	38	145	1,372	203	208
Beckham County	22,332	101	1,559	217	236	1,422	113	28	201	1,400	147	234
Washita County	10,825	7	592	90	68	1,397	213	103	101	869	38	102
Blaine County	8,592	12	513	87	75	1,118	24	65	76	432	29	101
Dewey County	4,379	5	275	17	38	545	17	21	46	365	58	112
Roger Mills County	3,357	4	289	12	38	283	23	19	37	344	0	35

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Custer County	13.33	0.16	5.34	0.53	0.51	10.20	0.41	0.33	0.90	6.13	0.43	1.35
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
Caddo County	14.71	0.03	3.65	0.63	0.53	4.77	0.31	0.14	0.54	5.12	0.76	0.78
Beckham County	14.60	0.45	6.98	0.97	1.06	6.37	0.51	0.13	0.90	6.27	0.66	1.05
Washita County	15.02	0.06	5.47	0.83	0.63	12.91	1.97	0.95	0.93	8.03	0.35	0.94
Blaine County	14.11	0.14	5.97	1.01	0.87	13.01	0.28	0.76	0.88	5.03	0.34	1.18
Dewey County	15.20	0.11	6.28	0.39	0.87	12.45	0.39	0.48	1.05	8.34	1.32	2.56
Roger Mills County	17.70	0.12	8.61	0.36	1.13	8.43	0.69	0.57	1.10	10.25	0.00	1.04

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

Custer County		113.29	86.37	100.67	65.06	155.51	47.80	85.25	95.18	95.36	141.20	80.85
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
Caddo County		23.34	59.07	119.31	67.54	72.67	36.00	36.67	56.98	79.57	247.34	46.59
Beckham County		314.49	112.97	182.90	135.76	97.11	58.87	32.45	94.86	97.50	215.09	62.94
Washita County		44.97	88.50	156.50	80.70	196.81	228.91	246.27	98.33	124.86	114.71	56.60
Blaine County		97.12	96.62	190.60	112.14	198.44	32.50	195.80	93.22	78.20	110.29	70.61
Dewey County		79.40	101.62	73.07	111.48	189.80	45.16	124.12	110.71	129.64	432.80	153.64
Roger Mills County		82.86	139.31	67.28	145.41	128.56	79.71	146.49	116.16	159.38	0.00	62.63

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

Custer County		41.42	101.40	100.43	47.74	141.66	15.62	24.23	51.94	102.03	130.08	48.31
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
Caddo County		8.53	69.35	119.03	49.55	66.20	11.77	10.42	31.09	85.14	227.86	27.84
Beckham County		114.98	132.62	182.46	99.61	88.46	19.24	9.22	51.76	104.33	198.16	37.61
Washita County		16.44	103.89	156.12	59.21	179.28	74.82	69.98	53.66	133.60	105.67	33.82
Blaine County		35.51	113.42	190.14	82.27	180.77	10.62	55.64	50.87	83.68	101.61	42.19
Dewey County		29.03	119.30	72.90	81.79	172.90	14.76	35.27	60.41	138.72	398.72	91.80
Roger Mills County		30.29	163.54	67.12	106.69	117.11	26.05	41.63	63.39	170.54	0.00	37.42

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

Custer County	28,234	79	22	2	13	53	58	34	15	14	4,706	6,305
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
Caddo County	26,819	0	8	1	3	0	4	23	6	3	5,496	5,477
Beckham County	22,332	31	89	0	9	0	1	0	33	23	3,061	6,749
Washita County	10,825	0	4	1	0	3	0	0	7	7	1,514	3,141
Blaine County	8,592	0	0	2	0	0	1	4	6	3	1,448	2,318
Dewey County	4,379	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	612	1,304
Roger Mills County	3,357	3	2	0	0	0	0	3	0	4	463	1,165

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Custer County	13.33	0.28	0.08	0.01	0.05	0.19	0.21	0.12	0.05	0.05	16.67	22.33
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
Caddo County	14.71	0.00	0.03	0.00	0.01	0.00	0.01	0.09	0.02	0.01	20.49	20.42
Beckham County	14.60	0.14	0.40	0.00	0.04	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.15	0.10	13.71	30.22
Washita County	15.02	0.00	0.04	0.01	0.00	0.03	0.00	0.00	0.06	0.06	13.99	29.02
Blaine County	14.11	0.00	0.00	0.02	0.00	0.00	0.01	0.05	0.07	0.03	16.85	26.98
Dewey County	15.20	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.05	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.02	0.00	13.98	29.78
Roger Mills County	17.70	0.09	0.06	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.09	0.00	0.12	13.79	34.70

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

Custer County		94.41	38.67	13.48	37.23	35.78	42.02	36.32	17.82	18.72	85.98	104.68
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
Caddo County		0.00	14.81	7.09	9.05	0.00	3.05	25.86	7.50	4.22	105.71	95.73
Beckham County		46.84	197.80	0.00	32.59	0.00	0.92	0.00	49.56	38.89	70.70	141.66
Washita County		0.00	18.34	17.57	0.00	5.28	0.00	0.00	21.69	24.42	72.14	136.01
Blaine County		0.00	0.00	44.28	0.00	0.00	2.38	14.04	23.42	13.18	86.93	126.46
Dewey County		0.00	0.00	0.00	36.93	0.00	0.00	0.00	7.66	0.00	72.09	139.59
Roger Mills County		30.15	29.57	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	26.95	0.00	44.99	71.14	162.67

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

Custer County		21.53	8.88	3.07	10.25	33.68	12.93	25.16	14.83	8.82	120.90	150.30
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
Caddo County		0.00	3.40	1.61	2.49	0.00	0.94	17.92	6.25	1.99	148.65	137.45
Beckham County		10.68	45.44	0.00	8.97	0.00	0.28	0.00	41.26	18.31	99.42	203.40
Washita County		0.00	4.21	4.00	0.00	4.97	0.00	0.00	18.05	11.50	101.45	195.29
Blaine County		0.00	0.00	10.08	0.00	0.00	0.73	9.73	19.50	6.21	122.24	181.58
Dewey County		0.00	0.00	0.00	10.17	0.00	0.00	0.00	6.38	0.00	101.37	200.42
Roger Mills County		6.88	6.79	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	18.67	0.00	21.18	100.04	233.57

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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