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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)

Goliad County7,17921716002,1152002381935746
Texas (in 000's)31,782914892943010,0417613317542,587710454
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Victoria County91,7711,5072363873337,2488133584,0453,2501,012850
Bee County31,128282122120316,378186402,4451,476383304
DeWitt County20,325455355665,9669967991947298281
Karnes County15,0341743711406,70424953963603201229
Refugio County6,7638619003,0132302862597272
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Goliad County18.013.020.220.000.0029.460.280.003.322.690.790.64
Texas14.722.870.280.091.3531.592.391.042.378.142.231.43
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Victoria County21.301.640.260.040.8040.590.890.394.413.541.100.93
Bee County31.590.910.390.000.6552.620.600.137.854.741.230.98
DeWitt County16.312.240.170.020.3229.350.490.334.884.661.471.38
Karnes County24.261.160.250.010.9344.591.660.356.414.011.341.52
Refugio County26.631.270.280.000.0044.550.340.004.233.831.061.06
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Goliad County 105.1479.580.000.0093.2511.630.00139.6833.0335.5344.85
Texas 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 140.76230.24196.94243.9335.8575.19130.0645.2692.67102.36146.29
Victoria County 57.1291.8344.6959.04128.4736.9937.50185.7143.5049.3464.83
Bee County 31.51139.953.4748.21166.5424.9512.35330.9558.2555.0668.36
DeWitt County 77.8761.4926.5524.0092.9120.3431.69205.4457.2465.6196.77
Karnes County 40.2687.887.1868.84141.1569.1533.89269.8949.2759.82106.62
Refugio County 44.23100.320.000.00141.0214.200.00178.1847.0547.6474.52
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Goliad County 74.7034.570.000.00260.1015.470.00308.6635.6434.7130.66
Texas 71.0443.4350.7841.00278.92133.0076.89220.97107.9197.7068.36
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Victoria County 40.5839.8822.6924.20358.3449.1928.83410.3746.9548.2144.31
Bee County 22.3960.781.7619.76464.5333.189.50731.2962.8653.7946.73
DeWitt County 55.3226.7113.489.84259.1527.0524.36453.9561.7764.0966.15
Karnes County 28.6038.173.6528.22393.6991.9726.06596.3753.1758.4572.88
Refugio County 31.4243.570.000.00393.3318.890.00393.7250.7746.5450.94
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Goliad County7,179122364175611763123718100
Texas (in 000's)31,782471,148722051,1522371301951,068107442
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Victoria County91,771672,6702005715,9105104672812,7783351,978
Bee County31,12804291676584333374374107180
DeWitt County20,32512407281332,556852664762174491
Karnes County15,0349175533548506212828623146
Refugio County6,76317130111731133923220330
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Goliad County18.010.013.110.080.5710.530.151.060.433.300.251.39
Texas14.720.153.610.230.643.620.750.410.613.360.341.39
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Victoria County21.300.072.910.220.626.440.560.510.313.030.372.16
Bee County31.590.001.380.050.241.880.110.110.241.200.340.58
DeWitt County16.310.062.000.140.6512.580.421.310.233.060.362.42
Karnes County24.260.061.160.030.223.650.334.130.191.900.150.97
Refugio County26.630.251.920.160.254.600.490.130.343.250.040.44
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Goliad County 9.4686.0137.1388.64290.5220.53259.5270.5398.2074.76100.13
Texas 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 267.21145.76236.61164.66198.59352.45333.30284.01178.7399.05200.27
Victoria County 49.6080.5696.8396.57177.6774.48124.7550.0190.04108.85154.93
Bee County 0.0038.1622.8437.8951.7614.2125.9938.8335.74102.5041.57
DeWitt County 40.1155.4561.21101.56346.9456.05320.8337.7790.88108.56173.65
Karnes County 40.6732.2314.7834.07100.5644.571,012.6030.4256.5945.6269.81
Refugio County 170.7653.2372.2639.01126.8765.3932.6255.5596.7613.2331.89
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Goliad County 3.5459.0115.6953.83146.305.8377.8624.8354.9475.4850.00
Texas 37.4268.6142.2660.7350.3628.3730.0035.2155.95100.9649.93
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Victoria County 18.5655.2740.9258.6489.4721.1337.4317.6150.38109.8977.36
Bee County 0.0026.189.6523.0126.064.037.8013.6720.00103.4820.75
DeWitt County 15.0138.0425.8761.68174.7015.9096.2613.3050.85109.6086.71
Karnes County 15.2222.116.2520.6950.6412.65303.8110.7131.6646.0534.86
Refugio County 63.9136.5230.5423.6963.8818.559.7919.5654.1413.3515.92
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Goliad County7,17900001100301,6521,111
Texas (in 000's)31,7822511672791312671109741094,6813,388
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Victoria County91,771348147337827822428949015,1579,437
Bee County31,128207020073152664,7652,425
DeWitt County20,3250000610019154,2102,090
Karnes County15,0340005137003502,5421,037
Refugio County6,76300000121841,579525
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Goliad County18.010.000.000.000.000.150.000.000.040.0023.0115.48
Texas14.720.790.530.080.290.982.110.340.230.3414.7310.66
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Victoria County21.300.380.160.040.080.300.240.030.100.1016.5210.28
Bee County31.590.060.220.010.000.000.230.050.080.0215.317.79
DeWitt County16.310.000.000.000.000.300.000.000.090.0720.7110.28
Karnes County24.260.000.000.000.030.910.000.000.230.0016.916.90
Refugio County26.630.000.000.000.000.000.180.010.120.0623.357.76
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Goliad County 0.000.000.000.0015.620.000.0018.040.00156.24145.15
Texas 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 164.48167.03272.35156.4556.8375.20139.56154.61164.3893.60139.36
Victoria County 47.9930.5142.4029.6130.8911.568.9044.2228.66112.1496.45
Bee County 8.1342.837.580.000.0011.1014.0536.065.63103.9373.07
DeWitt County 0.000.000.000.0030.600.000.0040.3521.57140.6496.45
Karnes County 0.000.000.0011.5992.930.000.00100.500.00114.8064.70
Refugio County 0.000.000.000.000.008.404.3151.0617.29158.5272.81
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Goliad County 0.000.000.000.0027.490.000.0011.670.00166.91104.16
Texas 60.8059.8736.7263.92175.97132.9971.6564.6860.83106.8371.76
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Victoria County 29.1818.2615.5718.9354.3615.376.3728.6017.44119.8069.21
Bee County 4.9425.642.780.000.0014.7710.0723.323.43111.0352.43
DeWitt County 0.000.000.000.0053.850.000.0026.1013.12150.2469.21
Karnes County 0.000.000.007.41163.520.000.0065.000.00122.6446.42
Refugio County 0.000.000.000.000.0011.173.0933.0310.52169.3552.25


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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