sentimental German migrations?

[Eway]

Can somebody tell me what the last sentence in this paragraph is talking about?

"The colonial population also contained other elements that long sustained their identities as groups. The Pennsylvania Germans, held together by religion and language, still pursue their own way of life after three centuries. The great 19th century German migrations, however, contained a variety of elements that dispersed in the cities as well as in the agricultural areas of the West; to the extent that ethnic ties have survived, they are largely sentimental."

 

[Tdol]

It suggests that there aren'tvery strong ties among the German migrants, and that such ethnic ties as have survived are sentimental rather than stronger bonds.;-)

 

[Eway]

It suggests that there aren'tvery strong ties among the German migrants, and that such ethnic ties as have survived are sentimental rather than stronger bonds.;-)

So...err...it's saying that there's still a rather vague / weak tie aomng them because of a kind of affection based on the truth that they belong to the same race / nationality?

How about "elements that dispersed in the cities ..."? elements? dispersed?

 

[Casiopea]

How about "elements that dispersed in the cities ..."? elements? dispersed?

elements: customs, idiologies/beliefs, dialects, morals, ethics, etc.
dispersed: scattered widely (in different directions)