The Gonzales family enjoy an evening dining at Torrey's Restaurant on Brooklyn Avenue in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Steve Young
Helen Gutierrez, left, stacks tortillas as they come off machines owned by her husband Humberto, center. Nephew Louis Gutierrez is feeding the production-line machine. Courtesy of the UCLA Library. Department of Special Collections Charles E. Young Research Library. CC by 4.0
Meg and Jim Maloney with their Irish Setter. Courtesy of the Maloney family
The Gonzales family enjoy an evening dining at Torrey's Restaurant on Brooklyn Avenue in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Steve Young
Ethnic Interest
Groups
Representing the region in which we live, SCGS has one of the largest and most diverse selections of ethnic and cultural genealogical groups under one physical and virtual roof in the U.S.
Exploring Our Ancestors
Do you want to learn more about a certain ethnic group or culture from which your immigrant ancestors came? The Southern California Genealogical Society sponsors and supports many ethnic interest groups that reflect our region's rich diversity. Some of our groups have held meetings at our different library and office locations throughout SCGS's six-decade history. New members are always welcome. All group meetings are free to attend in person at the SCGS Family Research Library in Burbank or online. Meeting times and dates are subject to change; check the calendar for updates.
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California's Historically Diverse Population
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According to the Public Policy Institute of California, no race or ethnic group constitutes a majority of California’s population: 40% of Californians are Latino, 35% are white, 15% are Asian American or Pacific Islander, 5% are Black, 4% are multiracial, and fewer than 1% are Native American or Alaska Natives, according to the 2022 American Community Survey. Only five other states (Hawaii, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, and Maryland) have similarly diverse populations.
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One in Eight U.S. Residents Lives in California
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With just over 39 million people, California is the most populous state in the U.S.—its population is much larger than that of second-place Texas (31 million) and third-place Florida (23 million). According to the state Department of Finance, Southern California had 21.7 million residents as of July 1, 2023.