Historical demography
Historical demography involves the analysis and interpretation of the demographic structure and processes that characterize historical populations. The field is defined in part by the application of a specialized set of research methods to data which reflects the demographic regimes of past societies. These data are assembled from information located in population registers, vital registration records and censuses. For the period prior to the nineteenth century, information can also be collected from parish registers, military documents, tax forms and genealogies.
Historical demographers are interested in the accurate measurement of demographic structures (e.g. age and gender distribution) and processes (especially birth, marriage, migration and death). Substantively they are concerned with theoretical and empirical understanding population dynamics in the past and the articulation of demographic change and political, economical and cultural transformations.
The scientific institutionalisation of historical demography (resulting in major research projects, interdisciplinary cooperation and international scientific networks) occurred in the second part of the twentieth century. The Scientific Research Network (WOG) Historical Demography is the manifestation of this ongoing process.