–

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)

Watonwan County	11,200	379	9	0	49	2,333	641	1	229	8	7	7
Minnesota (in 000's)	5,840	149	55	3	30	230	37	36	21	191	160	40
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
Blue Earth County	71,149	1,958	178	21	126	2,447	436	91	183	1,323	2,055	193
Brown County	25,819	786	34	4	102	915	81	40	80	85	67	10
Martin County	19,522	812	34	5	81	1,004	57	18	135	49	63	15
Cottonwood County	11,483	282	22	76	192	774	171	21	20	153	10	10
Jackson County	9,936	346	21	0	2	335	60	0	23	18	67	2

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Watonwan County	14.35	3.38	0.08	0.00	0.44	20.83	5.72	0.01	2.04	0.07	0.06	0.06
Minnesota	10.33	2.55	0.95	0.05	0.52	3.94	0.64	0.61	0.36	3.26	2.73	0.69
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
Blue Earth County	14.63	2.75	0.25	0.03	0.18	3.44	0.61	0.13	0.26	1.86	2.89	0.27
Brown County	27.28	3.04	0.13	0.02	0.40	3.54	0.31	0.15	0.31	0.33	0.26	0.04
Martin County	17.22	4.16	0.17	0.03	0.41	5.14	0.29	0.09	0.69	0.25	0.32	0.08
Cottonwood County	15.34	2.46	0.19	0.66	1.67	6.74	1.49	0.18	0.17	1.33	0.09	0.09
Jackson County	19.28	3.48	0.21	0.00	0.02	3.37	0.60	0.00	0.23	0.18	0.67	0.02

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

Watonwan County		132.77	8.46	0.00	84.47	528.73	892.56	1.46	575.28	2.19	2.29	9.10
Minnesota		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		158.77	67.91	393.55	637.16	287.50	280.84	221.03	302.20	231.15	83.72	304.22
Blue Earth County		107.97	26.35	63.65	34.19	87.30	95.57	20.89	72.37	56.98	105.71	39.48
Brown County		119.44	13.87	33.41	76.28	89.95	48.93	25.31	87.18	10.09	9.50	5.64
Martin County		163.20	18.34	55.24	80.11	130.54	45.54	15.06	194.57	7.69	11.81	11.18
Cottonwood County		96.35	20.18	1,427.36	322.84	171.09	232.24	29.88	49.00	40.83	3.19	12.68
Jackson County		136.63	22.26	0.00	3.89	85.58	94.18	0.00	65.13	5.55	24.68	2.93

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

Watonwan County		83.62	12.46	0.00	13.26	183.91	317.81	0.66	190.36	0.95	2.73	2.99
Minnesota		62.98	147.26	25.41	15.69	34.78	35.61	45.24	33.09	43.26	119.45	32.87
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Blue Earth County		68.01	38.80	16.17	5.37	30.36	34.03	9.45	23.95	24.65	126.26	12.98
Brown County		75.23	20.42	8.49	11.97	31.29	17.42	11.45	28.85	4.36	11.34	1.85
Martin County		102.79	27.01	14.04	12.57	45.41	16.21	6.81	64.38	3.33	14.11	3.68
Cottonwood County		60.69	29.71	362.69	50.67	59.51	82.69	13.52	16.22	17.66	3.81	4.17
Jackson County		86.05	32.78	0.00	0.61	29.77	33.53	0.00	21.55	2.40	29.48	0.96

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

Watonwan County	11,200	6	178	48	58	2,373	30	45	1,446	317	25	141
Minnesota (in 000's)	5,840	30	206	47	91	1,106	69	128	850	336	11	201
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
Blue Earth County	71,149	237	2,777	588	1,138	20,331	334	901	8,188	3,976	171	1,818
Brown County	25,819	124	551	108	315	12,377	75	227	2,690	954	20	587
Martin County	19,522	27	734	180	185	6,296	127	540	2,405	957	79	527
Cottonwood County	11,483	15	259	171	78	3,197	45	79	1,661	373	34	125
Jackson County	9,936	24	321	202	101	3,625	19	102	1,254	544	7	377

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Watonwan County	14.35	0.05	1.59	0.43	0.52	21.19	0.27	0.40	12.91	2.83	0.22	1.26
Minnesota	10.33	0.52	3.53	0.81	1.56	18.94	1.18	2.18	14.55	5.75	0.19	3.44
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
Blue Earth County	14.63	0.33	3.90	0.83	1.60	28.58	0.47	1.27	11.51	5.59	0.24	2.56
Brown County	27.28	0.48	2.13	0.42	1.22	47.94	0.29	0.88	10.42	3.69	0.08	2.27
Martin County	17.22	0.14	3.76	0.92	0.95	32.25	0.65	2.77	12.32	4.90	0.40	2.70
Cottonwood County	15.34	0.13	2.26	1.49	0.68	27.84	0.39	0.69	14.46	3.25	0.30	1.09
Jackson County	19.28	0.24	3.23	2.03	1.02	36.48	0.19	1.03	12.62	5.48	0.07	3.79

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

Watonwan County		10.34	44.97	53.19	33.28	111.88	22.70	18.40	88.71	49.19	116.37	36.64
Minnesota		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		75.91	148.97	66.10	68.18	38.01	222.87	62.28	11.95	104.42	173.19	81.08
Blue Earth County		64.29	110.45	102.57	102.78	150.89	39.78	58.01	79.08	97.12	125.30	74.36
Brown County		92.69	60.39	51.92	78.40	253.14	24.62	40.27	71.59	64.21	40.38	66.16
Martin County		26.69	106.40	114.43	60.90	170.30	55.13	126.70	84.65	85.19	210.98	78.56
Cottonwood County		25.21	63.83	184.82	43.65	147.02	33.21	31.51	99.39	56.45	154.37	31.68
Jackson County		46.62	91.42	252.32	65.32	192.66	16.20	47.02	86.72	95.15	36.73	110.42

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

Watonwan County		13.62	30.19	80.48	48.81	294.34	10.18	29.55	742.49	47.10	67.20	45.19
Minnesota		131.73	67.13	151.30	146.67	263.08	44.87	160.57	836.96	95.77	57.74	123.34
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Blue Earth County		84.69	74.15	155.18	150.75	396.97	17.85	93.14	661.83	93.00	72.35	91.71
Brown County		122.10	40.54	78.55	114.99	665.96	11.05	64.67	599.17	61.49	23.32	81.60
Martin County		35.16	71.43	173.14	89.32	448.04	24.74	203.45	708.48	81.58	121.82	96.89
Cottonwood County		33.21	42.85	279.63	64.02	386.78	14.90	50.60	831.86	54.06	89.13	39.07
Jackson County		61.41	61.37	381.75	95.81	506.84	7.27	75.51	725.81	91.12	21.21	136.18

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

Watonwan County	11,200	1	11	0	3	0	0	37	15	1	1,661	1,141
Minnesota (in 000's)	5,840	31	14	4	16	30	56	50	96	21	564	931
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
Blue Earth County	71,149	210	214	68	216	356	363	116	225	436	6,253	13,222
Brown County	25,819	24	12	0	15	25	19	10	37	17	1,400	4,028
Martin County	19,522	42	13	1	5	0	23	9	7	33	1,194	3,865
Cottonwood County	11,483	1	10	0	0	64	1	242	67	12	1,097	2,221
Jackson County	9,936	0	49	6	9	0	0	39	6	6	609	1,762

Per Cent to Total Population	Diversity Index

Watonwan County	14.35	0.01	0.10	0.00	0.03	0.00	0.00	0.33	0.13	0.01	14.83	10.19
Minnesota	10.33	0.54	0.24	0.08	0.28	0.51	0.97	0.85	1.64	0.36	9.67	15.94
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
Blue Earth County	14.63	0.30	0.30	0.10	0.30	0.50	0.51	0.16	0.32	0.61	8.79	18.58
Brown County	27.28	0.09	0.05	0.00	0.06	0.10	0.07	0.04	0.14	0.07	5.42	15.60
Martin County	17.22	0.22	0.07	0.01	0.03	0.00	0.12	0.05	0.04	0.17	6.12	19.80
Cottonwood County	15.34	0.01	0.09	0.00	0.00	0.56	0.01	2.11	0.58	0.10	9.55	19.34
Jackson County	19.28	0.00	0.49	0.06	0.09	0.00	0.00	0.39	0.06	0.06	6.13	17.73

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

Watonwan County		1.66	41.76	0.00	9.55	0.00	0.00	38.64	8.17	2.51	153.44	63.92
Minnesota		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
National		241.10	372.94	306.03	160.04	110.04	164.48	55.98	21.85	157.89	142.64	93.22
Blue Earth County		54.76	127.90	126.63	108.20	98.80	52.83	19.07	19.29	172.02	90.93	116.60
Brown County		17.24	19.76	0.00	20.71	19.12	7.62	4.53	8.74	18.48	56.10	97.88
Martin County		39.91	28.32	6.79	9.13	0.00	12.20	5.39	2.19	47.45	63.28	124.22
Cottonwood County		1.62	37.03	0.00	0.00	110.05	0.90	246.49	35.60	29.33	98.84	121.35
Jackson County		0.00	209.71	80.01	32.28	0.00	0.00	45.91	3.68	16.95	63.42	111.26

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

Watonwan County		0.69	11.20	0.00	5.97	0.00	0.00	69.02	37.39	1.59	107.57	68.57
Minnesota		41.48	26.81	32.68	62.49	90.88	60.80	178.63	457.65	63.34	70.11	107.27
National		100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Blue Earth County		22.71	34.30	41.38	67.61	89.79	32.12	34.06	88.29	108.95	63.75	125.07
Brown County		7.15	5.30	0.00	12.94	17.37	4.63	8.09	40.01	11.71	39.33	105.00
Martin County		16.55	7.59	2.22	5.70	0.00	7.42	9.63	10.01	30.05	44.36	133.25
Cottonwood County		0.67	9.93	0.00	0.00	100.01	0.55	440.31	162.91	18.58	69.29	130.18
Jackson County		0.00	56.23	26.14	20.17	0.00	0.00	82.01	16.86	10.74	44.46	119.35

Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

Advertisers