Démographie historique et généalogie

Abstract

Original analyses emanating from the rediscovery of genealogy have joined with many other new perspectives in the attempt to replenish historical demography. Based on the chosen approach (ascending, descending, or radiant), the genealogical perspective has allowed for the study of diverse and multiple issues. The use of genealogy by demographic historians allows them to join forces with other researchers whose common goal is the analysis of human population behavior : ethnologists, biologists, and population geneticists, as well as historians of society and mentalities. However, thèse interdisciplinary encounters often require readapting concepts : for example, the use of genealogical data necessitates the definition of the population under study, one based on a family foundation and not an administrative, geographical, or social one. This constitutes an unusual procedure for demographic historians.