FAMILY COMPOSITION AND REMARRIAGE IN RURAL TRANSYLVANIA, 1838–1910

Abstract

Analysis of remarriage in 19th century Transylvania is an unexploited research topic. The ethnical and religious diversity of the population, as well as the physical geographical variety and economic situation of the region allow a multiperspective, comparative analysis of family and population history. Present paper explores the impact of demographic factors and family composition on widowhood and remarriage in two typical mountain villages in Szeklerland (in present-day Romania), between 1838 and 1910. By using micro-level data based on family reconstitutions we found evidence of a significant role of family composition concerning the decision to remarry for both widows and widowers. The results of multivariate analysis show that the age entering widowhood was a key-element for both widows and widowers as the probability of remarrying declined in parallel with the growing age at dissolution of marriage. The variables concerning family composition (the number, age, and sex of the children living in the families) influenced the chance of remarrying. Both in the case of widows and widowers, the presence of children under age 12 increased the chance of remarrying. At the same time, the presence of an adult son in the family decreased the chance of the remarriages of widows because of the problems related to inheritance.