My granfather was italian and adopted by an irish family with the name of Cox. Does this still make me Irish?

Question

My fathers father was Italian and adopted by an irish family with the last name Cox. That is my last name. Does this still make me Irish?

Answer 1

That would make you both Irish and Italian if you relate to those ethnic groups.  

Some of us relate to multiple ethnic groups.  It is not a matter you have to chose.  

We are all part of the American salad bowl.  There are more mutts than purebreds (using a dog analogy.)

As long as we can accept a person, it doesn't matter what ethnic group he or she relates to.

Answer 2

not by blood...

Answer 3

Personally, I'd say Italian.  Then again, if it was up to me personally I'd call myself American but I know what you are getting at.

The man I knew as my grandfather, and who raised my dad since he was 3 was German but my real grandfather (who died when my dad was a baby) was Irish and thats what I consider myself as when people ask my heritage.

Answer 4

Your ancestry is based on your actual biological ancestors.. not your name.  No, dear.. your ancestry is Italian, not Irish.

Of course, assuming you are connected to your adoptive relatives, you still have a bond with them.

Answer 5

Where did your grandmother and your mother come from?

You have 4 grandparents, so if only one was Italian, then you are a quarter Italian.

Being adopted would not change your father`s original nationality.  Even if he was naturalised as Irish, his original heritage would still be Italian.

Incidentally, while you are researching the surname COX, if you get stuck, try looking under c***s, as they sometimes changed the spelling.

Answer 6

If your grandfather was born Italian, it means his parents were probably Italian, and therefore he had Italian blood, not Irish. You are only a result of whatever blood is in your veins.

Remember that your grandfather only gives you 1/4 of your ancestry. The other 3/4s are made up of his wife, and your other set of grandparents. If they have Irish in them, then that would give you some Irish blood too. Or perhaps their children (your parents) married an Irish person, and then had you. This would make you part Irish too.

If nobody came into the family who was Irish though, you are not genetically Irish. And remember, genetically speaking, you are not 100% Irish, because your grandfather was Italian, and maybe even some other ancestors were foreign too.

For example, my mother is Belgian, but she was born in the Congo. That makes her Congolese by birth, but she does not have any Congolese blood. Therefore I am not Congolese either. It makes me part Belgian.