Succession crisis in a Britton peasant family. Studying a Britton peasant family in its historical development front the end of the 19th century to 1985 gives an opportunity to apprehend front inside the various causes of rural emigration phenomenon. Before the Second World War almost all departures were forced. In order to palliate their small economical and cultural capital, migrants appealed to their family which provided them with material and psychological help. Afterwards, voluntary departures are increasing as a result ofa speeding up "defarmerizing" process and more generally of the developing French economy and the emergence of non agricultural jobs. Requirements to become a farmer being harder to meet, the educational institution occurs more and more to be an alternative for the families.