Social structure and consanguinity in a French moutain population (1550-1849)

International audienceSociocultural factors play a crucial role in the variation of consanguinity<br />in a population. The choice of specific matrimonial strategies can<br />favor the closure or opening of the group to the outside, whereas differential<br />fertility affects the gene flow from one generation to another. In the present<br />study we analyzed the role of socioprofessional groups in the maintenance<br />of endogamy and consanguinity in a French Alpine valley: Vallouise in the<br />Brianc¸on area. In mountain environments, where the reproductive space is<br />limited and quickly saturated, the autochthonous families adopt diversified<br />matrimonial strategies. These marriage practices tend to prevent fragmentation<br />of agricultural property. We analyzed the matrimonial behavior in the<br />two main social groups of this population (de´cideurs and farmers) from 1550<br />to 1849. To better understand the behavior of the two social groups, we<br />considered the two components of consanguinity, close and distant. Our<br />study showed that the two groups had similar behavior regarding consanguinity.<br />The way to prevent fragmentation of the patrimony was to choose<br />a consanguineous spouse. This type of strategy inevitably leads to a high<br />percentage of endogamy, which in this region of the Alps exceeded 90%<br />through many centuries