BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND DEATH IN ILLEGITIMACY - A STUDY IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL

In populations in which the frequency of illegitimacy is high, illegit imates and legitimates may be subjected to different demographic and s ocial pressures, with social and genetic consequences. A rural populat ion from north-east Portugal is studied and variables from birth, marr iage and death records are compared according to the legitimacy of the individuals. The analysis shows important differential demographic pa tterns in infant and child mortality and in migration prior to and rel ated to marriage, especially in women. Some changes over time and gend er differences are also evident.