What generation are you?

Identify the most recent generation of your family to emigrate to the United States. You will need to do some research by talking with family members or looking at a family tree if you have one. Find your generation on the chart. These generational numbers represent what scholars, journalists and others mean when they refer to generations. Many people mistakenly refer to the generation of children born in the US as the first generation but actually this is the 2nd generation.

First: First Nation/Native peoples
1st Generation: The immigrants
2nd Generation: Child of immigrants
3rd Generation: Grandchild of immigrants:
4th Generation: Great grandchild of immigrants
5th Generation plus: Great-great grandchild of immigrants
And so on...

For a variety of reasons, it is also possible that you do not know, as not everyone knows the history of their biological parents or some families go back many generations. In this case you may say Generation Unknown. This is OK.


Last modified: Monday, July 30, 2012, 7:51 PM