Family reproduction and stem-family system: From Pyrenean valleys to Norwegian farms

The article presents a comparative study of two stem-family European systems: on the one hand, the well-known central Pyrenean family as found in the Barony of Esparros, and, on the other hand, the one prevalent in highland farms of South-East Norway. In the two communities, the continuity of the “house” was maintained over generations through non-egalitarian practices of transmission to a privileged heir or heiress. Other siblings received compensations or stayed at home unmarried. Comparing long-term mechanisms of the Norwegian odal farm and of the Pyrenean house permits identification of similar strategies of co-residence and more-or-less controlled family reproduction through choice of marriage partner and regulated fertility. These mountainous rural communities developed efficient responses to preindustrial and early-industrial demographic changes, facing and absorbing demographic growth and transition. They had to open to new markets, new techniques of production and exploitation of natural environment – particularly the forest – and adapt to social and legislative change. In both agro-pastoral systems, population pressure created a large group of landless or semi-landless families-cottars, day labourers or servants-whose reproduction strategies (age at marriage and fertility rates) diverged from those of the owners of land.     

Widows and their living arrangements in preindustrial France

This article examines the role of the widow in French society from the 17th century to the early 20th century. Differences between the size and composition of widow-headed households in urban and rural areas and the impact of socioeconomic factors on their residence patterns and region of residence are stressed. The final section explores the social position of rural widows in the Pyrenean stem-family system where patrimonial continuity and coresidence with older parents was the norm.