Basques in Stockton : a study of assimilation

In Stockton today there is a small number of persons who come under the category, Basque. As the origin of the Basques and their language is as yet undetermined, it lends a somewhat mysterious air to them. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the Basques, more particularly the younger generation, are becoming assimilated into the community. Are they the Basque in their manner of living, or are they American? WIthin the scope of this study fall some 219 individuals organized into eighty-seven family groups. They are the first and second generation families and their unmarried children living at home. Most of the material for this paper was gathered from them by personal interview. Very little was obtained from other sources, primarily because the author has no facility with French, Spanish, or Basque, in which languages most of the material is to be found. The study will cover two major phases. The first deals with an explanation of assimilation, historical background and other facts about the Basque people. The second section covers actual facts found in the survey made of the Basques in Stockton. The conclusion presents a brief summary of these findings. It will attempt to answer whether or not assimilation has taken place, and if it has, why