–

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)

Mineral County	26,749	2,340	35	3	113	103	21	43	25	353	127	121
West Virginia (in 000's)	1,777	198	3	0	9	14	5	3	5	40	11	10
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
Allegany County	66,733	4,588	108	20	239	209	314	121	299	3,433	740	795
Garrett County	28,665	2,333	30	3	92	135	52	27	40	165	32	25
Hampshire County	23,947	2,181	36	8	174	132	8	9	32	95	53	27
Hardy County	14,689	1,400	14	0	392	179	48	18	21	264	53	184
Grant County	11,068	1,475	17	0	21	38	0	2	3	55	45	12

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Mineral County	18.44	8.75	0.13	0.01	0.42	0.39	0.08	0.16	0.09	1.32	0.47	0.45
West Virginia	17.22	11.14	0.17	0.02	0.51	0.81	0.28	0.18	0.26	2.27	0.63	0.54
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
Allegany County	15.78	6.88	0.16	0.03	0.36	0.31	0.47	0.18	0.45	5.14	1.11	1.19
Garrett County	18.75	8.14	0.10	0.01	0.32	0.47	0.18	0.09	0.14	0.58	0.11	0.09
Hampshire County	20.84	9.11	0.15	0.03	0.73	0.55	0.03	0.04	0.13	0.40	0.22	0.11
Hardy County	21.43	9.53	0.10	0.00	2.67	1.22	0.33	0.12	0.14	1.80	0.36	1.25
Grant County	21.88	13.33	0.15	0.00	0.19	0.34	0.00	0.02	0.03	0.50	0.41	0.11

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

Mineral County		78.50	78.35	47.80	83.45	47.83	27.74	90.24	35.87	58.15	74.85	84.31
West Virginia		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		36.31	386.09	777.71	651.84	1,406.96	636.38	759.45	412.18	332.39	360.63	389.56
Allegany County		61.70	96.91	127.73	70.74	38.90	166.28	101.78	171.94	226.67	174.82	222.04
Garrett County		73.04	62.67	44.60	63.40	58.50	64.11	52.87	53.55	25.36	17.60	16.26
Hampshire County		81.73	90.02	142.37	143.53	68.47	11.81	21.10	51.28	17.48	34.89	21.01
Hardy County		85.53	57.07	0.00	527.14	151.37	115.48	68.79	54.86	79.19	56.88	233.47
Grant County		119.59	91.97	0.00	37.48	42.65	0.00	10.14	10.40	21.90	64.10	20.21

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

Mineral County		216.18	20.29	6.15	12.80	3.40	4.36	11.88	8.70	17.49	20.76	21.64
West Virginia		275.37	25.90	12.86	15.34	7.11	15.71	13.17	24.26	30.09	27.73	25.67
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Allegany County		169.90	25.10	16.42	10.85	2.77	26.13	13.40	41.72	68.20	48.48	57.00
Garrett County		201.12	16.23	5.74	9.73	4.16	10.07	6.96	12.99	7.63	4.88	4.17
Hampshire County		225.06	23.31	18.31	22.02	4.87	1.86	2.78	12.44	5.26	9.68	5.39
Hardy County		235.53	14.78	0.00	80.87	10.76	18.15	9.06	13.31	23.83	15.77	59.93
Grant County		329.33	23.82	0.00	5.75	3.03	0.00	1.34	2.52	6.59	17.77	5.19

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

Mineral County	26,749	76	2,186	120	185	5,630	635	160	155	3,276	0	288
West Virginia (in 000's)	1,777	2	184	12	13	174	50	18	11	181	3	41
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
Allegany County	66,733	109	5,896	469	422	10,485	1,975	609	374	7,072	39	1,260
Garrett County	28,665	86	2,601	350	190	6,556	615	324	256	2,836	0	807
Hampshire County	23,947	70	2,563	156	378	3,370	402	91	173	2,456	0	385
Hardy County	14,689	9	936	55	91	2,601	210	33	49	1,042	9	119
Grant County	11,068	8	552	98	59	2,978	168	109	40	663	0	119

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Mineral County	18.44	0.28	8.17	0.45	0.69	21.05	2.37	0.60	0.58	12.25	0.00	1.08
West Virginia	17.22	0.12	10.34	0.66	0.75	9.79	2.84	1.01	0.60	10.16	0.18	2.30
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
Allegany County	15.78	0.16	8.84	0.70	0.63	15.71	2.96	0.91	0.56	10.60	0.06	1.89
Garrett County	18.75	0.30	9.07	1.22	0.66	22.87	2.15	1.13	0.89	9.89	0.00	2.82
Hampshire County	20.84	0.29	10.70	0.65	1.58	14.07	1.68	0.38	0.72	10.26	0.00	1.61
Hardy County	21.43	0.06	6.37	0.37	0.62	17.71	1.43	0.22	0.33	7.09	0.06	0.81
Grant County	21.88	0.07	4.99	0.89	0.53	26.91	1.52	0.98	0.36	5.99	0.00	1.08

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

Mineral County		228.89	79.05	67.89	92.37	214.92	83.59	59.49	96.23	120.58	0.00	46.89
West Virginia		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		316.88	50.92	80.59	141.70	73.50	92.61	135.21	288.75	59.16	186.29	121.33
Allegany County		131.59	85.46	106.35	84.46	160.44	104.22	90.76	93.07	104.33	32.77	82.22
Garrett County		241.70	87.77	184.77	88.53	233.55	75.55	112.41	148.30	97.40	0.00	122.60
Hampshire County		235.49	103.52	98.58	210.83	143.70	59.11	37.79	119.97	100.97	0.00	70.01
Hardy County		49.36	61.64	56.66	82.74	180.81	50.34	22.34	55.39	69.84	34.36	35.28
Grant County		58.23	48.24	133.99	71.20	274.75	53.45	97.94	60.01	58.98	0.00	46.82

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

Mineral County		72.23	155.25	84.24	65.19	292.40	90.26	43.99	33.32	203.83	0.00	38.64
West Virginia		31.56	196.40	124.09	70.57	136.05	107.98	73.96	34.63	169.04	53.68	82.42
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Allegany County		41.53	167.84	131.97	59.60	218.27	112.53	67.12	32.23	176.37	17.59	67.77
Garrett County		76.27	172.37	229.27	62.47	317.73	81.58	83.13	51.36	164.66	0.00	101.05
Hampshire County		74.31	203.32	122.32	148.78	195.50	63.83	27.95	41.55	170.69	0.00	57.70
Hardy County		15.58	121.05	70.31	58.39	245.99	54.36	16.52	19.18	118.06	18.44	29.08
Grant County		18.38	94.74	166.26	50.24	373.79	57.72	72.43	20.78	99.69	0.00	38.59

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

Mineral County	26,749	7	0	11	4	0	18	8	18	20	2,047	8,621
West Virginia (in 000's)	1,777	2	2	1	1	1	4	1	1	5	157	613
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
Allegany County	66,733	210	137	31	48	61	133	23	29	102	5,473	20,910
Garrett County	28,665	9	29	14	12	0	22	11	12	93	1,585	9,323
Hampshire County	23,947	3	2	0	0	0	4	10	22	9	1,767	9,331
Hardy County	14,689	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	26	2	1,102	5,828
Grant County	11,068	0	0	6	0	0	0	0	11	2	807	3,780

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Mineral County	18.44	0.03	0.00	0.04	0.01	0.00	0.07	0.03	0.07	0.07	7.65	32.23
West Virginia	17.22	0.14	0.14	0.04	0.05	0.06	0.23	0.06	0.08	0.29	8.86	34.51
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
Allegany County	15.78	0.31	0.21	0.05	0.07	0.09	0.20	0.03	0.04	0.15	8.20	31.33
Garrett County	18.75	0.03	0.10	0.05	0.04	0.00	0.08	0.04	0.04	0.32	5.53	32.52
Hampshire County	20.84	0.01	0.01	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.02	0.04	0.09	0.04	7.38	38.97
Hardy County	21.43	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.03	0.00	0.00	0.18	0.01	7.50	39.68
Grant County	21.88	0.00	0.00	0.05	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.10	0.02	7.29	34.15

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

Mineral County		18.71	0.00	114.01	31.64	0.00	28.76	50.91	85.36	25.55	86.41	93.39
West Virginia		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		929.08	642.73	640.41	950.04	936.98	678.86	814.76	454.34	192.23	155.67	43.06
Allegany County		224.96	150.45	128.79	152.18	153.69	85.18	58.67	55.13	52.24	92.60	90.80
Garrett County		22.44	74.14	135.41	88.57	0.00	32.80	65.32	53.10	110.88	62.43	94.25
Hampshire County		8.96	6.12	0.00	0.00	0.00	7.14	71.09	116.54	12.84	83.32	112.91
Hardy County		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	45.78	0.00	0.00	224.53	4.65	84.71	114.97
Grant County		0.00	0.00	150.30	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	126.07	6.18	82.33	98.97

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

Mineral County		2.01	0.00	17.80	3.33	0.00	4.24	6.25	18.79	13.29	55.51	216.92
West Virginia		10.76	15.56	15.62	10.53	10.67	14.73	12.27	22.01	52.02	64.24	232.26
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Allegany County		24.21	23.41	20.11	16.02	16.40	12.55	7.20	12.13	27.17	59.49	210.89
Garrett County		2.42	11.54	21.14	9.32	0.00	4.83	8.02	11.69	57.68	40.11	218.90
Hampshire County		0.96	0.95	0.00	0.00	0.00	1.05	8.72	25.65	6.68	53.52	262.25
Hardy County		0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	4.89	0.00	0.00	49.42	2.42	54.42	267.03
Grant County		0.00	0.00	23.47	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	27.75	3.21	52.89	229.86

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

Advertisers