If we go on the presumption that Ethel Mertz and Vivian Vance share the same year of birth; 1909, then Ethel and Ricky have something in common; neither were born in the United States. Since Ethel was born in Alberqerque, New Mexico and New Mexico didn't become a state until January of 1912, then Ethel was not technically born in the United States.

Just a little observational trivia.

If we go on the presumption that Ethel Mertz and Vivian Vance share the same year of birth; 1909, then Ethel and Ricky have something in common; neither were born in the United States. Since Ethel was born in Alberqerque, New Mexico and New Mexico didn't become a state until January of 1912, then Ethel was not technically born in the United States.

Just a little observational trivia.

Good theory! I guess that means another thing they have in common is that they are both natives of Spanish-speaking countries.

That is a really good observation, and I don't mean to spoil your great observation, but if she says she was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, then it was probably Albuquerque, New Mexico when she was born there, yes? Otherwise she'd say she was born in whatever it was before it was Albuquerque...(Mexico?? sorry, not a history buff). But she is American, so her parents probably would have been in some other state if it wasn't New Mexico yet, right?

Actually, prior to achieving statehood, it would've been referred to as the territory of New Mexico; and Albuquerque would've been just been a town in that territory.

Then wouldn't Ethel look like a Mexican? Did she know how to speak Spanish? If she wasn't born in the United States, does that make her an illegal alien? I need answers!

Then wouldn't Ethel look like a Mexican? Did she know how to speak Spanish? If she wasn't born in the United States, does that make her an illegal alien? I need answers!

I think you're confusing geography with genetics. And she wouldn't be considered an illegal alien. I think that back then, there was a considerable freedom of movement within the territories and those areas that had already acheived statehood. Life was more simplistic back then.

Then wouldn't Ethel look like a Mexican? Did she know how to speak Spanish? If she wasn't born in the United States, does that make her an illegal alien? I need answers!
White people still lived in the territories. There wasn't some "Mexicans Only" clause.

Okay so her family didn't actually come from Mexico, I got it now, thanks!