Tracing one’s genealogy is a popular hobby fuelled by programs like NBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” and PBS’ “Faces of America.” But Hispanics often face unique challenges when searching for their family tree. Autosomal DNA recombines with each generation, so it can be challenging to identify specific Ancestry. However, several crucial resources are available to help.
Identifying Your Grandparents’ Country
Identifying your grandparents’ country of origin can be difficult. This is especially true when family members are immigrants and move between countries frequently. Geopolitical boundaries have changed, and genes have flowed across these borders.
The term Hispanic refers to anyone whose Ancestry comes from a country that is primarily Spanish-speaking or was colonized by Spain. Brazil, Portugal, and the Philippines are not included in this definition, so many people with Brazilian or Portuguese Ancestry do not self-identify as Hispanic.
Hispanic and Latino are both general terms for people who identify as coming from or tracing their Ancestry to countries in South and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. These are primarily Spanish-speaking nations, although some have a different language (e.g., Colombia and Venezuela). Whether a person uses Hispanic or Latino to describe themselves depends on their sense of identity and their relationship with other Hispanics.
The Hispanic community is often very close to their families and tends to have large extended ones. The traditional image is of a loving extended family, with grandparents living together and providing care for grandchildren. In fact, in 2012, a higher percentage of Hispanic grandparent-maintained households included grandchildren than White non-Hispanic or Black grandparent-maintained households.
Identifying Your Hispanic Ancestors
As Cinco de Mayo approaches, it is essential to reflect on the history of Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries. Tracing ancestors from these regions can be challenging, as many genealogical records are difficult to locate and often need more information. But several resources can help you find your ancestors’ nationality, religion, and political affiliations.
The definition of Hispanic/Latino is broad, and self-identification on surveys varies by individual. Historically, the term has meant individuals who identify as Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or with other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race (United States Census Bureau, 1997). This group represents a culturally, phenotypically, and genetically diverse continuum of people. Individuals who self-identify as Hispanic/Latinos can trace their Ancestry to the Americas, Europe, Africa, and elsewhere in Asia.
In Pew Research Center surveys, nearly all Latin American and Caribbean immigrants identify as Hispanic or Latino. However, that percentage drops significantly in the fourth generation and beyond, and fewer immigrants from these countries say they are Hispanic or Latino. This is partly due to changes in attitudes about what it means to be Hispanic but also may reflect differences in how genes are passed down through generations. For example, Y-DNA haplogroups Q-M3 and C-P39 are characteristic of the Americas, while mtDNA haplogroups A, B, C, and D indicate European descent, and haplogroup J indicates Middle Eastern origins.
Identifying Your Mother’s Country
Identifying the country of your Mexican or Spanish mother’s birth is one of the first steps in researching family history. This is especially important because Mexico and Spain share many commonalities, including the Spanish language, food, and culture. In addition, their accounts are intertwined because Mexico was a colony of Spain for centuries until it gained independence in 1821.
Fortunately, identifying your mother’s country is easier than it may seem. In the United States, all 50 states (plus Washington, DC) report the mother’s country of origin on their birth certificates. This information can also be found on the census records for the state where they were born or in the death or obituary for your ancestor.
Moreover, a DNA test such as Ancestry can often pinpoint the specific state in Mexico from which your ancestor originated. Although these tests are not free, they can provide more specific geographic ancestry data than previous studies. In other words, they can differentiate between African, European, and Native American Ancestry with greater precision.
Identifying Your Father’s Country
When researching Mexican genealogy, it’s essential to understand jurisdictions. The country is divided into thirty-two states and a federal district. The state in which your ancestor lived can help you pinpoint their birthplace. The jurisdiction where your ancestor’s parents were born can also help you identify their country of origin.
As a result, the term Hispanic is a broad umbrella encompassing many different nationalities. Additionally, there are several different ways to self-identify as Hispanic in surveys. Latina, Latino, or Latinx refers to Ancestry from any Spanish-speaking countries of Central America, South America, or the Caribbean. These include Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Venezuela.
In the United States, Hispanics are the largest single-race group and the nation’s second-largest ethnic group. Among Hispanics, almost half report being Catholic, and more than half of those say they are Catholics who attend religious services weekly. Hispanics are less likely to be Protestant or unaffiliated with a religion. Nonetheless, more Hispanics say they are evangelical or born-again Protestants than the general population.
