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

Stanley County3,0001801618040004411
South Dakota (in 000's)930347305258131082
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Hughes County17,5054531,98741028749129119258
Dewey County5,323474,0610868007951
Lyman County3,7082551,54600152002010
Ziebach County2,463421,8223030003000
Haakon County1,8228743207002770
Sully County1,44172900210008300
Jones County90583510010000600
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Stanley County15.136.005.370.270.001.330.000.000.130.130.030.03
South Dakota12.273.667.820.050.552.660.830.140.281.040.830.18
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Hughes County13.262.5911.350.020.061.640.280.740.060.050.140.05
Dewey County60.220.8876.290.000.151.280.000.000.130.170.090.02
Lyman County22.446.8841.690.000.000.400.540.000.050.000.030.00
Ziebach County57.751.7173.970.120.001.220.000.000.120.000.000.00
Haakon County15.164.772.360.110.000.380.000.000.110.380.380.00
Sully County16.015.000.620.000.001.460.000.000.000.562.080.00
Jones County13.749.175.640.000.001.100.000.000.000.660.000.00
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Stanley County 164.0968.59503.970.0050.200.000.0047.0712.774.0118.39
South Dakota 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 110.678.24344.87598.70426.44217.74958.84379.16722.59275.161,153.35
Hughes County 70.77145.0843.1810.3661.7333.85522.2722.184.9217.1825.22
Dewey County 24.15975.070.0027.2748.100.000.0046.4216.2011.3010.37
Lyman County 188.07532.880.000.0015.2365.220.0019.040.003.240.00
Ziebach County 46.63945.46230.190.0045.860.000.0043.000.000.000.00
Haakon County 130.5830.16207.450.0014.460.000.0038.7536.8046.210.00
Sully County 136.647.980.000.0054.870.000.000.0053.18250.420.00
Jones County 250.8172.020.000.0041.600.000.000.0063.510.000.00
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Stanley County 148.27832.31146.130.0011.770.000.0012.411.771.461.59
South Dakota 90.361,213.4529.0016.7023.4545.9310.4326.3713.8436.348.67
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Hughes County 63.951,760.4312.521.7314.4815.5454.475.850.686.242.19
Dewey County 21.8211,832.010.004.5511.280.000.0012.242.244.110.90
Lyman County 169.946,466.240.000.003.5729.950.005.020.001.180.00
Ziebach County 42.1411,472.7166.750.0010.750.000.0011.340.000.000.00
Haakon County 118.00366.0260.150.003.390.000.0010.225.0916.800.00
Sully County 123.4796.860.000.0012.870.000.000.007.3691.010.00
Jones County 226.64873.980.000.009.760.000.000.008.790.000.00
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Stanley County3,000191513955758281234519927121
South Dakota (in 000's)93024023102157810256228
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Hughes County17,505211,0173331534,010701601,8331,12349480
Dewey County5,32301275191223945011
Lyman County3,7085814220512392631750111
Ziebach County2,463010015300222703
Haakon County1,82221081716507324229197069
Sully County1,4412132613375413130101078
Jones County9058404711199217135038
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Stanley County15.130.635.031.301.8325.270.930.4011.506.630.904.03
South Dakota12.270.264.292.501.1223.110.700.8311.006.010.193.02
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Hughes County13.260.125.811.900.8722.910.400.9110.476.420.282.74
Dewey County60.220.000.230.130.093.590.040.040.730.850.000.21
Lyman County22.440.132.181.130.5413.810.080.247.094.720.002.99
Ziebach County57.750.000.410.000.042.150.000.000.891.100.000.12
Haakon County15.160.115.930.930.8827.830.161.3212.5710.810.003.79
Sully County16.010.149.160.420.9026.020.280.909.027.010.005.41
Jones County13.740.884.425.191.2221.990.220.117.853.870.004.20
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Stanley County 243.24117.4252.03163.13109.31132.9848.33104.57110.43483.16133.72
South Dakota 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 151.07122.8021.3194.4031.14374.71164.2615.81100.03178.3392.37
Hughes County 46.07135.5376.1477.7799.1056.98110.4395.22106.80150.2790.91
Dewey County 0.005.265.268.3615.525.354.546.6614.070.006.85
Lyman County 51.7950.9645.3347.9959.7411.5329.3264.5078.570.0099.25
Ziebach County 0.009.470.003.619.310.000.008.1218.250.004.04
Haakon County 42.16138.2837.3478.14120.3823.46159.15114.29180.000.00125.56
Sully County 53.31213.6916.6680.27112.5839.55109.0082.03116.680.00179.46
Jones County 339.50103.11207.86108.1595.1331.4913.3571.3464.380.00139.21
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Stanley County 161.0195.62244.11172.80351.0135.4929.42661.36110.40270.93144.76
South Dakota 66.1981.43469.17105.93321.1226.6960.88632.4499.9756.07108.26
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Hughes County 30.50110.37357.2182.38318.2415.2167.23602.20106.7784.2798.42
Dewey County 0.004.2824.698.8549.851.432.7642.1414.070.007.42
Lyman County 34.2841.50212.6950.84191.823.0817.85407.9078.550.00107.44
Ziebach County 0.007.710.003.8329.890.000.0051.3718.240.004.37
Haakon County 27.91112.60175.2082.77386.576.2696.88722.81179.950.00135.92
Sully County 35.29174.0278.1985.03361.5310.5566.35518.82116.650.00194.28
Jones County 224.7383.96975.19114.56305.488.408.13451.1864.360.00150.71
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Stanley County3,0000000000214116715
South Dakota (in 000's)93012111331284170
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Hughes County17,505502211321991,8563,285
Dewey County5,32320000200071980
Lyman County3,708000000020185461
Ziebach County2,46300000011042025
Haakon County1,822004003000178310
Sully County1,44100010001090355
Jones County90500000000098205
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Stanley County15.130.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.070.473.8723.83
South Dakota12.270.150.240.060.120.130.330.310.130.189.0418.24
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Hughes County13.260.030.000.010.010.650.010.010.050.0510.6018.77
Dewey County60.220.040.000.000.000.000.040.000.000.0013.511.50
Lyman County22.440.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.050.004.9912.43
Ziebach County57.750.000.000.000.000.000.000.040.040.0017.051.02
Haakon County15.160.000.000.220.000.000.160.000.000.009.7717.01
Sully County16.010.000.000.000.070.000.000.000.070.006.2524.64
Jones County13.740.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0010.8322.65
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Stanley County 0.000.000.000.000.000.000.0049.99259.2142.76130.69
South Dakota 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 842.70368.66410.66378.88418.89485.80154.31268.57312.42152.4581.47
Hughes County 18.520.0020.319.64485.233.491.8438.5528.56117.24102.90
Dewey County 24.360.000.000.000.0011.490.000.000.00149.368.24
Lyman County 0.000.000.000.000.000.000.0040.450.0055.1768.17
Ziebach County 0.000.000.000.000.000.0013.0930.440.00188.565.57
Haakon County 0.000.00390.310.000.0050.360.000.000.00108.0393.30
Sully County 0.000.000.0058.550.000.000.0052.040.0069.06135.09
Jones County 0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00119.74124.21
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Stanley County 0.000.000.000.000.000.000.0018.6182.9728.05160.41
South Dakota 11.8727.1324.3526.3923.8720.5864.8037.2332.0165.60122.74
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Hughes County 2.200.004.952.54115.840.721.1914.359.1476.91126.30
Dewey County 2.890.000.000.000.002.370.000.000.0097.9810.12
Lyman County 0.000.000.000.000.000.000.0015.060.0036.1983.68
Ziebach County 0.000.000.000.000.000.008.4811.340.00123.696.83
Haakon County 0.000.0095.040.000.0010.370.000.000.0070.86114.51
Sully County 0.000.000.0015.450.000.000.0019.380.0045.30165.81
Jones County 0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0078.55152.46


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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