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I’m reminded of how much ‘bigger’ our world is today, than it was for folks back in 18th C. Ulster.
I’m analysing marriage trends in Broughshane. Every single couple in my data set were from within a max of 6 miles of each other. 90%+ were from within 1.5 miles!
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I’m analysing marriage trends in Broughshane. Every single couple in my data set were from within a max of 6 miles of each other. 90%+ were from within 1.5 miles!
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Looking at MUCH bigger data set via @DrLeanneCalvert - 1,198 couples across Ulster - 91% from within same county, and 57% from same parish.
Demonstrates how ‘local’ life must have been back then.
My partner is from East Belfast. Positively exotic by 18th C standards!
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Demonstrates how ‘local’ life must have been back then.
My partner is from East Belfast. Positively exotic by 18th C standards!
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By contrast, Alex Brown and family - wealthy merchants and bankers - regularly married across both the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
They also regularly married their cousins...like, a lot.
Intriguing how marriage strategies could differ depending on economic status!
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They also regularly married their cousins...like, a lot.
Intriguing how marriage strategies could differ depending on economic status!
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Also interesting how marriage trends amongst wealthy Presbyterian merchant class align to same strategies used by other ethnic trading & banking networks.
Jewish financiers and Quakers, to name just two. You can add to that list, wealthy rural Ulster Presbyterian merchants!
Jewish financiers and Quakers, to name just two. You can add to that list, wealthy rural Ulster Presbyterian merchants!
