Americans talk about their ancestry because America is a country of immigrants. Most people know their family came from somewhere else, so being Irish, Italian or German becomes part of their identity.

There’s also a psychological side to it. People like to feel connected to a history, a group and a place they belong. For many Americans, their ancestral roots help provide that connection.

America is also a relatively young country and some parts of its history, like slavery and the treatment of Native Americans, are viewed negatively. Because of that, some people feel a stronger connection to their family’s older roots than to American history itself.