Who are the other Spanish

For the first time in the 1970 US census and later in the 1980 census a subjective question that listed selected Hispanic groups was used to identify the Spanish origin population. The Hispanic groups listed in the later census question were Mexican Puerto Rican Cuban and Other Spanish origin. The "Other" Spanish group in 1980 generated the 2nd largest population count among the listed Hispanic groups: over 3 million persons or 1 of every 5 persons identifying as Hispanic reported as "Other" Spanish origin. This population magnitude warranted close examination of its content. In the absence of a postcensal survey question leading to identification of the components of the "Other" Spanish group the 1980 census ancestry question has served instead as the most plausible mechanism for viewing the composition of this group. An analysis of the ancestry of persons identifying themselves as "Other" Spanish shows that 27% have Central American Dominican South American or Spainard origins. About 1 million persons reported their ancestry simply as Spanish; others considered themselves Hispanic or Spanish-American. The census needs an improved form of both origin and ancestry questions. (authors modified)