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: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

From the 1880s to the 1930s, this captivating book delves into the sociocultural microhistory of migrants, shedding light on the lives of those who resided in a housing complex situated just north of the French capital, nestled in the heart of the vibrant Plaine-Saint-Denis. Beginning in the 1870s, this industrial suburb became a beacon for working-class migrants hailing from diverse origins, both within France and from abroad. The author embarks on an insightful exploration, examining how the inhabitants of this particular place defined themselves and others through intricate interpersonal connections, institutional interactions, and the profound impact of migration.

The primary objective of this remarkable work is to conduct an innovative experiment: employing microhistorical methodologies to unravel the intricate tapestry of modern migrations. Beyond its own rich material history, the tenement emerges as a unique observation point, purposefully chosen for its remarkable demographic diversity, standing in stark contrast to the traditional, ethnicity-based scholarship on migration. The micro lens grants us the ability to reconstruct the intricate itineraries, interactions, and representations of the tenement's inhabitants, both in their unique individuality and within the broader structural context. Through the telling of numerous individual stories, this book restores a level of complexity that often goes unnoticed in historical accounts spanning broader horizons.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032196046