INBREEDING IN OJEDA AND PERNIA, 1875-1985, PROVINCE OF PALENCIA, SPAIN

The degree of isolation was assessed in two contrasting regions in Nor thern Palencia, Spain, one mountainous with small villages in the vall eys (Pernia), the other lower and more open (Ojeda), with correspondin g differences in economy. Using data from the parish and diocesan reco rds, the frequencies of consanguineous marriages were calculated from the dispensation data, and the evolution of inbreeding compared. The m ore isolated region shows a greater degree of inbreeding, though not a s high as in some other parts of Spain. Both regions show a decline in inbreeding with time, though in neither did the results indicate that geographic isolation was very outstanding. The most frequent types of consanguineous unions occur between second cousins.