Complementariedad de métodos y fuentes en el estudio histórico de familias indígenas (Belén, Altos de Arica, 1750-1820)

Abstract

The reconstitution of families of Belen gave me access not only to demographic aspectsscarcely studied in Andean populations, but also to other qualitative phenomena, that allowa historical analysis related to marriage and kinship. The use of different kind of files andsources has strengthened the methodology development, which allows the comparison ofdifferent documents, fomenting a critical review of each of the sources as well as the resultsobtained using the various methods. Complementarity between them provides a comprehensiveunderstanding of the various aspects involved in the formation of families. In the case ofBelen, the integration of parish registers, revisitas and one padron, church reports and marriagecertificate have led me to distinguish phenomena such as the presence of compound families,two possible cases of polygyny, the male tendency towards endogamy within the village, possiblepreferences regulating marriages, especially concerning first marriage, as well as to observedemographic and social problems that lead me to hypothesize about the role those factors playedin favor of ritual kinship and against extended family.