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Ottawa County – Ancestry

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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:

16.05

Most common ancestry not including "Unknown" is:

German

 
Ancestry Report Part I
DescriptionTotal Population American Native American Hawaiian Carribean Mexican Central American South American Other Hispanic British Dutch French German Italian

Ottawa County5,823444170181370012503791121,14574
Kansas (in 000's)2,9831602032130224922219233947137
National (in 000's)340,98116,5892,16560710,91237,9175,6004,1394,87718,3212,0964,23427,00610,025
Saline County53,9593,652185196604,8832631126823,67945499210,008431
Dickinson County18,6321,73267167664780341161,2961883444,176231
Cloud County9,13858541612920130599797171,75544
Clay County8,174757220371672026774942151,89140
Mitchell County5,7585091000140403042689651,69427
Lincoln County2,99224312014108104234293778117
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Ottawa County16.057.620.290.000.312.350.000.000.218.641.361.9219.661.27
Kansas12.325.360.660.090.7010.130.810.310.747.340.781.3215.801.23
National10.644.870.640.183.2011.121.641.211.435.370.611.247.922.94
Saline County12.636.770.340.041.229.050.490.211.266.820.841.8418.550.80
Dickinson County15.099.300.360.090.413.470.430.180.626.961.011.8522.411.24
Cloud County14.606.400.450.070.013.200.000.010.336.560.867.8519.210.48
Clay County15.239.260.270.000.452.040.020.000.329.471.152.6323.130.49
Mitchell County19.058.840.170.000.002.430.070.000.527.401.551.1329.420.47
Lincoln County15.918.120.400.000.473.610.030.000.137.820.971.2426.100.57
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ottawa County 142.1844.220.0043.8723.210.000.0027.80117.62173.05145.99124.46103.65
Kansas 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 90.7296.17191.77454.17109.72203.16396.95192.9573.1678.4194.2550.13239.79
Saline County 126.2051.9337.96173.5989.2960.3067.88170.5192.83107.32139.54117.3965.15
Dickinson County 173.3354.4692.5857.8934.2653.1259.6883.9994.71128.70140.13141.86101.12
Cloud County 119.3767.9570.791.5531.530.003.5844.2989.25110.27595.53121.5639.27
Clay County 172.6940.760.0064.2420.163.030.0042.91128.93146.68199.64146.4339.91
Mitchell County 164.8326.300.000.0023.998.590.0070.29100.73197.1685.68186.2138.24
Lincoln County 151.4460.740.0066.4135.624.130.0018.03106.49123.6393.86165.2246.34
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ottawa County 156.7345.980.009.6621.160.000.0014.41160.77220.71154.88248.2743.23
Kansas 110.23103.9852.1522.0291.1449.2225.1951.83136.69127.54106.10199.4941.70
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Saline County 139.1253.9919.8038.2281.3829.6817.1088.37126.90136.88148.04234.1827.17
Dickinson County 191.0756.6348.2812.7531.2326.1515.0343.53129.46164.15148.67282.9942.17
Cloud County 131.5970.6636.910.3428.740.000.9022.95122.00140.64631.84242.4916.38
Clay County 190.3642.390.0014.1418.371.490.0022.24176.24187.08211.81292.1016.64
Mitchell County 181.7027.350.000.0021.874.230.0036.43137.70251.4590.90371.4615.95
Lincoln County 166.9463.160.0014.6232.462.040.009.35145.56157.6899.58329.5819.33
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Polish Scandi­navian Scotish Irish Other European Chinese Japanese Korean South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Ottawa County5,8234622466117600034004651,703
Kansas (in 000's)2,983216823292132624321110501619
National (in 000's)340,9815,2116,56222,89210,8864,3408331,7585,3296,0541,4412,14472,84556,198
Saline County53,9593222,2803,9121,18913611123330476118747,24311,815
Dickinson County18,6321197511,47955900011801361,7774,834
Cloud County9,13843450901191200201619742,408
Clay County8,174233706532860161504617372,038
Mitchell County5,7585131445176006012503761,608
Lincoln County2,99272242721050301100179720
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Ottawa County16.050.793.8511.353.020.000.000.000.050.070.000.007.9929.25
Kansas12.320.712.297.793.090.420.070.200.821.070.360.3416.8120.75
National10.641.531.926.713.191.270.240.521.561.780.420.6321.3616.48
Saline County12.630.604.237.252.200.250.210.430.060.880.220.1413.4221.90
Dickinson County15.090.644.037.943.000.000.000.000.060.430.070.039.5425.94
Cloud County14.600.474.929.862.090.020.000.000.020.000.180.0110.6626.35
Clay County15.230.284.537.993.500.000.200.180.000.050.070.019.0224.93
Mitchell County19.050.092.287.733.060.000.000.100.000.210.090.006.5327.93
Lincoln County15.910.237.499.093.510.000.100.000.030.030.000.005.9824.06
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ottawa County 111.30168.18145.6697.660.000.000.006.316.410.000.0047.52140.97
Kansas 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 215.3284.1386.15103.16303.72347.18252.23191.41165.68119.01182.78127.1279.44
Saline County 84.08184.7393.0371.2060.14292.22211.276.8182.3161.5739.8679.87105.54
Dickinson County 89.99176.22101.8696.940.000.000.007.2340.0619.649.3656.75125.06
Cloud County 66.30215.29126.5267.545.220.000.002.680.0049.293.1863.42127.02
Clay County 39.65197.90102.51113.060.00278.0589.790.004.5720.673.5653.65120.18
Mitchell County 12.2399.4699.1798.770.000.0050.980.0019.4524.450.0038.86134.61
Lincoln County 32.96327.31116.65113.390.00142.430.004.093.120.000.0035.60115.99
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Ottawa County 51.69199.90169.0894.670.000.000.003.303.870.000.0037.38177.45
Kansas 46.44118.86116.0896.9332.9328.8039.6552.2560.3684.0354.7178.66125.88
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Saline County 39.05219.58107.9969.0219.8084.1783.763.5649.6851.7321.8162.83132.86
Dickinson County 41.79209.46118.2393.970.000.000.003.7824.1816.515.1244.64157.42
Cloud County 30.79255.91146.8665.471.720.000.001.400.0041.421.7449.89159.89
Clay County 18.41235.23118.99109.590.0080.0935.600.002.7617.361.9542.21151.28
Mitchell County 5.68118.23115.1195.740.000.0020.210.0011.7420.540.0030.57169.44
Lincoln County 15.31389.05135.41109.920.0041.030.002.141.880.000.0028.00146.01


Sources: STI: PopStats