MERRILLVILLE | The different ethnic groups that have played a part in the Hoosier state's heritage are explored in the Indiana Historical Society traveling exhibition, "Who Do You Think You Are?" featured from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays through June 15 at the Merrillville Ross Township Historical Society Museum, 13 W. 73rd Ave.

Using photographs, maps, statistics and graphics drawn from the Indiana Historical Society's collections and institutions from around the state, the exhibition examines what defines an ethnic group; how and why immigrants migrated to the United States and Indiana; where these different groups settled; and home and family life, recreation and religion in the new country.

In 1850, the five largest ethnic groups within Indiana were the Germans, Irish, English, Canadians and French. Marion County possessed the largest foreign-born population. Today, the Mexican and Asian-born peoples rival the Germans for being the largest ethnic group in the state, and Lake County has supplanted Marion County in having the largest foreign-born population.

The Merrillville Ross Township Historical Society was organized in 1967 by a group of citizens who thought it was important enough to preserve the memories of the past and present for future generations. The museum is open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays from May through October.

- For The Times