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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)

Prairie County1,091711300100010100
Montana (in 000's)1,14350631436234311
National (in 000's)343,25113,8902,21362611,32738,8796,1814,6443,68725,8937,8527,174
Custer County11,943544209923336001924351
Dawson County8,6913921371011627990956
Fallon County2,99261303042000300
McCone County1,7179825306009000
Garfield County1,1562367108000500
Wibaux County9557041044000500
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Prairie County15.886.511.190.000.000.920.000.000.920.090.000.00
Montana11.064.345.500.070.393.140.140.270.330.280.110.07
National7.834.050.640.183.3011.331.801.351.077.542.292.09
Custer County13.334.551.750.080.192.810.000.000.160.200.290.01
Dawson County15.224.511.580.010.001.330.020.911.040.100.060.07
Fallon County17.582.041.000.100.001.400.000.000.000.100.000.00
McCone County16.505.711.460.170.000.350.000.000.520.000.000.00
Garfield County14.2220.420.610.090.000.690.000.000.000.430.000.00
Wibaux County14.257.330.420.100.004.610.000.000.000.520.000.00
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Prairie County 149.8121.650.000.0029.170.000.00273.6832.730.000.00
Montana 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 93.1611.71253.99847.57360.521,314.03504.24320.712,693.752,034.202,992.90
Custer County 104.8631.79104.8949.4689.550.000.0047.5071.76260.6011.99
Dawson County 103.8328.6416.010.0042.4816.79338.78309.2036.9851.1698.86
Fallon County 46.9318.22139.560.0044.680.000.000.0035.800.000.00
McCone County 131.3926.45243.190.0011.120.000.00156.510.000.000.00
Garfield County 469.9711.00120.400.0022.030.000.000.00154.450.000.00
Wibaux County 168.747.61145.740.00146.650.000.000.00186.960.000.00
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Prairie County 160.82184.800.000.008.090.000.0085.341.220.000.00
Montana 107.35853.6739.3711.8027.747.6119.8331.183.714.923.34
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Custer County 112.56271.4041.305.8424.840.000.0014.812.6612.810.40
Dawson County 111.46244.476.310.0011.781.2867.1996.411.372.513.30
Fallon County 50.38155.5054.950.0012.390.000.000.001.330.000.00
McCone County 141.05225.8195.750.003.090.000.0048.800.000.000.00
Garfield County 504.4993.9147.400.006.110.000.000.005.730.000.00
Wibaux County 181.1364.9657.380.0040.680.000.000.006.940.000.00
 
Ancestry Report Part II
DescriptionTotal Population Canadian British Dutch French German Italian Polish Scandi­navian Scotish/ Irish Spanish Other European

Prairie County1,0914702962958871130017
Montana (in 000's)1,14369513211772312104120644
National (in 000's)343,2511,35018,0691,8283,64224,7089,0274,6675,96920,6251,1409,563
Custer County11,94365876882692,4252191391,1141,20038409
Dawson County8,69111464411252,1981508392081312226
Fallon County2,992217717339361289479355391
McCone County1,71710955945659353112056
Garfield County1,156113132014858101232056
Wibaux County9550572918826811580013
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Prairie County15.880.376.422.660.5527.040.730.736.5111.920.001.56
Montana11.060.528.301.131.8115.522.021.049.1010.500.503.82
National7.830.395.260.531.067.202.631.361.746.010.332.79
Custer County13.330.547.330.742.2520.301.831.169.3310.050.323.42
Dawson County15.220.135.340.471.4425.291.730.9610.599.350.142.60
Fallon County17.580.075.920.571.1031.280.402.9716.0111.860.103.04
McCone County16.500.585.530.290.5226.560.290.5220.566.520.003.26
Garfield County14.220.0911.330.261.7312.800.430.698.7420.070.004.84
Wibaux County14.250.005.970.210.9419.690.217.1212.048.380.001.36
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Prairie County 70.3377.27235.7130.42174.2336.2570.6471.48113.450.0040.82
Montana 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 75.4563.4047.2358.6946.38130.01130.9719.1057.2166.7672.99
Custer County 104.4088.3465.34124.60130.8490.65112.12102.4695.6763.9489.71
Dawson County 24.2864.3041.8379.57162.9685.3292.00116.2889.0727.7568.12
Fallon County 12.8271.2550.3861.02201.5819.83286.55175.85112.9720.1579.68
McCone County 111.7266.6425.8229.00171.1314.4050.49225.8362.110.0085.44
Garfield County 16.59136.4823.0195.7182.5021.3866.6795.97191.080.00126.91
Wibaux County 0.0071.8818.5752.13126.8510.35685.93132.2779.760.0035.66
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Prairie County 93.21121.89499.1351.84375.6427.8853.93374.26198.310.0055.93
Montana 132.53157.73211.75170.38215.6076.9276.35523.55174.80149.79137.01
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Custer County 138.37139.34138.36212.29282.0869.7285.60536.43167.2295.78122.92
Dawson County 32.18101.4288.58135.56351.3465.6370.24608.77155.6841.5693.33
Fallon County 16.99112.38106.69103.96434.6015.25218.79920.69197.4630.18109.16
McCone County 148.07105.1154.6849.40368.9511.0738.551,182.34108.560.00117.06
Garfield County 21.99215.2848.73163.07177.8616.4550.90502.46334.000.00173.87
Wibaux County 0.00113.3839.3288.83273.487.96523.71692.52139.410.0048.86
 
Ancestry Report Part III
DescriptionTotal Population Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese South Central Asian South East Asian Other Asian Middle Eastern Other Ancestry Unknown

Prairie County1,091006200000663253
Montana (in 000's)1,143221101112108237
National (in 000's)343,2514,4613,0107931,5411,9135,4521,6431,2291,93147,32251,000
Custer County11,9431114421500561,0512,793
Dawson County8,69101100002607712,012
Fallon County2,992000000030139517
McCone County1,7170502300000114324
Garfield County1,15600000100030163
Wibaux County95510000000058238
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Prairie County15.880.000.000.551.830.000.000.000.000.555.7723.19
Montana11.060.180.200.070.080.030.050.060.110.169.4320.72
National7.831.300.880.230.450.561.590.480.360.5613.7914.86
Custer County13.330.090.120.030.020.130.000.000.040.058.8023.39
Dawson County15.220.000.010.010.000.000.000.000.300.008.8723.15
Fallon County17.580.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.100.004.6517.28
McCone County16.500.000.290.001.340.000.000.000.000.006.6418.87
Garfield County14.220.000.000.000.000.000.090.000.000.002.6014.10
Wibaux County14.250.100.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.006.0724.92
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Prairie County 0.000.00782.602,281.880.000.000.000.00347.7861.26111.90
Montana 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 731.57449.60328.70558.961,711.842,913.25782.44337.96355.69146.2771.70
Custer County 51.8560.0947.6620.85385.800.000.0039.5031.7793.37112.85
Dawson County 0.005.9016.370.000.000.000.00282.290.0094.12111.71
Fallon County 0.000.000.000.000.000.000.0094.610.0049.2983.38
McCone County 0.00149.290.001,667.420.000.000.000.000.0070.4491.06
Garfield County 0.000.000.000.000.00158.670.000.000.0027.5368.04
Wibaux County 58.940.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0064.43120.26
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Prairie County 0.000.00238.09408.240.000.000.000.0097.7841.89156.08
Montana 13.6722.2430.4217.895.843.4312.7829.5928.1168.37139.48
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Custer County 7.0913.3714.503.7322.540.000.0011.698.9363.83157.40
Dawson County 0.001.314.980.000.000.000.0083.530.0064.35155.81
Fallon County 0.000.000.000.000.000.000.0027.990.0033.70116.30
McCone County 0.0033.200.00298.310.000.000.000.000.0048.16127.00
Garfield County 0.000.000.000.000.005.450.000.000.0018.8294.90
Wibaux County 8.060.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0044.05167.73


Sources: STI: PopStats, Circa April 2025

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