Neighbours of Passage: A Microhistory of Migrants in a Paris Tenement, 1882-1932

The book is a sociocultural microhistory of migrants from the 1880s to the 1930s, tracing the lives of occupants of a housing complex in Plaine-Saint-Denis. It examines how interpersonal contacts, institutional interactions, and migration constructed social difference. The microhistorical approach reconstructs the itineraries, interactions, and representations of the occupants, restoring complexity often overlooked by broader historical accounts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book is a captivating sociocultural microhistory that delves into the lives of migrants from the 1880s to the 1930s. Set in the heart of the vibrant Plaine-Saint-Denis, just north of the French capital, this housing complex became a beacon for working-class individuals from diverse backgrounds, both within France and from abroad. The author's insightful examination explores how the inhabitants of this particular place identified themselves and others, shedding light on the intricate role played by interpersonal contacts, institutional interactions, and migration in the construction of social difference.

The primary objective of this remarkable work is to conduct an innovative experiment by applying microhistorical methods to the study of modern migrations. Beyond its own rich material history, the tenement serves as a unique observation point, as it was deliberately chosen for its remarkable demographic diversity, standing in contrast to the traditional focus on ethnicity-based scholarship. The micro lens enables the reconstruction of the itineraries, interactions, and representations of the tenements' occupants, both in their individual uniqueness and within the broader structural context.

Through the telling of numerous individual stories, the book restores a level of complexity that often goes overlooked in historical accounts at broader scales. It offers a profound and nuanced understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by these migrants, providing a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex tapestry of human migration. This captivating work is a testament to the power of microhistory in shedding light on the hidden histories and experiences of marginalized communities.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367862350