United States: 1980, 1990

All persons.

ANCESTRY identifies the person's self-reported ancestry or ethnic origin.

In 1980, respondents could give as many responses as they saw fit; in 1990, they were to give no more than two responses. For both years, ANCESTRY records only the first response. Respondents could give virtually any response, though they were instructed not to give a religion. (The census is not allowed to collect information on religion.) A few responses were not categorized in the 1980 or 1990 samples and were instead coded "Uncodable," "Deferred Cases," or "Other" -- the latter responses were usually religions.