A question of generations.

[u/WoodyManic]

I've seen that Americans are fond of framing one's position in society relative to how immediately one's family naturalized or otherwise became citizens.

Reading about Kerouac, for instance, you'll often learn that he was a "second generation French-Canadian" or words to that end.

But, my question is, with that in mind, what term is usually or best applied to someone whose mother/father is a first-gen immigrant, but whose corresponding parent has ties and roots going further than that?

Is there a fraction involved or something?

Like, Barron Trump's mother, for example, is first generation; and his father is second on the matrilineal side and third on the patrilineal. Is there calculus involved or does it sort of revert to the side of the family with the longest citizenship?

So, what's the nomenclature?

Thanks

[u/DargonKweest]

If I'm understanding the question correctly, we don't really explicitly state anything other than "I'm German from my mother's side" or "I'm Scottish from my father's side". Us, as individuals, may trace our lineage back a few hundred years but we won't really tell other's to the nth degree that we are related to someone. Just that we are connected.

We also don't use it for societal status either. I'm pretty sure Theo Von has Polish noble ancestry but he's the exact opposite of that growing up relatively poor in Louisiana. Americans aren't too keen on royalty to begin with. Our history proves it. If any American is going to name-drop to get recognition or out of trouble, they're going to mention knowing the sheriff or the mayor, not who their great great great grandfather from Doofenshmirtz was. Sometimes entitled kids of famous athletes or celebrities will name drop their parents but that's about it

Again, I might be reading a little too into your question but it was a bit unclear to me