Infinite History: The Story of a Family in France over Three Centuries

Marie Aymard, an illiterate widow from Angoulême, made her mark on history in 1764 with a power of attorney and prenuptial contract. This book explores an extended family over five generations, revealing a modern history of social and family networks, emigration, immobility, the French Revolution, and economic life. Rothschild uses discoveries in local archives and new technologies to demonstrate how the ordinary lives of one family can constitute a remarkable record of deep social and economic changes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In the heart of southwestern France, nestled in the provincial town of Angoulême, lived an illiterate widow named Marie Aymard. It seemed that nothing ever happened in this quiet corner of the world, where the days passed by in a serene monotony. Yet, in 1764, Marie Aymard made her fleeting mark on the historical record through two remarkable documents. The first was a power of attorney, granting her authority over the property of her late husband, a carpenter on the island of Grenada. The second was a prenuptial contract, signed by eighty-three people in Angoulême, for her daughter.

Who was Marie Aymard? Who were these eighty-three people who witnessed the prenuptial contract? And why were they gathered together on a dark afternoon in December 1764? These were the questions that An Infinite History sought to answer. This innovative modern history of social and family networks, emigration, immobility, the French Revolution, and the transformation of nineteenth-century economic life unfolds through ninety-eight interconnected stories about inquisitive, sociable individuals. The narrative spans five generations, culminating with Marie Aymard's great-great granddaughter, Emma Rothschild, in 1906.

Author Emma Rothschild weaves a vast narrative reminiscent of a period novel, delving into the lives of a large, obscure family, whose private letters have unfortunately been lost to time. These family members embarked on journeys to diverse destinations such as Syria, Mexico, and Tahiti, their destinies shaped by profound inequalities. From a seamstress living in poverty in Paris to her third cousin, the cardinal of Algiers, their stories are a testament to the complexities and intricacies of human existence.

Rothschild's research is not limited to traditional archival discoveries. She harnesses new technologies, including the visualization of social networks, large-scale searches, and groundbreaking methods of genealogical research, to unravel the mysteries of this family's history. Through meticulous research and a keen eye for detail, Rothschild paints a vivid portrait of the Aymard family, shedding light on their lives, relationships, and the societal changes that unfolded during their three-century journey.

An Infinite History serves as a powerful reminder that even the ordinary lives of one family over three centuries can hold profound significance for our understanding of history. It demonstrates how the choices, actions, and relationships of individuals can shape the course of nations and generations. By exploring the lives of the Aymard family, Rothschild offers a unique perspective on the complexities of social and economic change in France, providing a rich tapestry of history that is both captivating and enlightening.

Weight: 700g
Dimension: 167 x 242 x 45 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691200309