Abstract EN:

My research turns on the five villages of the actual rural district of Ell in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. First part : a parochial monograph prepared according to the plan of the crulai monograph. More than 10% permanent unmarried people, especially among the women. Late first marriage (27 29 years) with rising upward trend for men in the 19th century. Nearly one marriage out of two took place in january or february; monday dominates in the 18th, wednesday in the 19th century. Conceptions above average in spring and summer. Birth rate falling under 30% between 1839 and 1850 is connected with a noticeable decrease of legitimate fertility, especially in the parish of Colpach. Important fall of the death rate during the decades before 1850 and after 1900. The death rate is higher in autumn and winter. Astonishing increase in infant mortality after 1850. A higher mortality for boys under 10 years and men over 50. Second part : family structures in the rural parish of Colpach. The average household size decreases from 7 to 5. 5 persons during the 19th century. Among the families of the 19th century censures there were 57% simple and 33% extended and multiple family households, with a high rate of 4a, 4c and 5b types in the last group. The developmental cycles of the households and the inheritance customs (common house-hold, settlement in favour of one successor) described in the the marriage contracts prove the presence of stem families in the households with an "en boucle" developmental cycle.