Fast Facts--Puerto Rican Genealogical Research

Fast Facts--Puerto Rican Genealogical Research

Puerto Rico was annexed by the United States From Spain in 1898. In 1917, legislation was passed granting citizenship to Puerto Ricans by birth. Though many people of Anglo descent view Puerto Ricans as part of the "immigrant wave", this is not a valid description.

The end of World War II marked the beginning of major immigration of Puerto Rican people to the continental United States. Prior to this time, there were no more than 70,000 people of Puerto Rican heritage living in the United States. An abundance of newly created industrial and service related employment opportunities drew large numbers of Puerto Ricans to the major industrial centers of the Northeast, Midwest, and Florida.

As of 1990, there were more than 2.5 million people of Puerto Rican ancestry living in the United States. Almost one million of these live in the New York City area. The remaining number are mainly concentrated in New Jersey (areas adjacent to New York City), Chicago, and Miami. Miami has a reputation as the home mainly for Cuban immigrants. The percentage of Puerto Ricans in Dade County (Miami) is small in comparison to Cubans, but their numbers and economic contributions are still significant.

Puerto Rican immigration has tended to fluctuate. Many Puerto Ricans have moved to the mainland and back to the island several times during the course of their lives. Some are seasonal workers.

For additional information on all aspects of Hispanic Genealogical Research, be sure to take a copy of the handout on Hispanic Genealogical Research.

Contact and Sources of interest to Puerto Rican Researchers

Hispanic Genealogical Society of New York, Puerto Rican Heritage House, 1230 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10002. Telephone (212) 532-3662.

Institute of Genealogy and History for Latin America, 316 West 500 North, St. George Utah 84770. Telephone: (801) 652-1710. Fax (801) 674-5787.

Compiled by Bryan L. Mulcahy, Reference Librarian, Fort Myers-Lee County Library, 8/14/98.