Family size and social class in nineteenth century Tasmania, Australia

Abstract

SummaryData on fertility in a white Australian population based upon the vital records of the nineteenth century for two districts in Tasmania are presented. Mean family size was apparently low (3·2) and reproductive period short. However, when allowance was made for the truncation of birth records of migrant families, family size increased (4·9) markedly. Social class is shown to have a consistent effect on fertility levels in the larger community with low fertility associated with inferior economic status. Owing to the paucity of information contained within the vital records, it was impossible to investigate either age structure or migration effects on fertility. There is also evidence to suggest inbreeding is associated with higher, not lower, fertility.