Mobilités résidentielles des marins au prisme des matricules.

Mobilités résidentielles des marins au prisme des matricules.

🎙 Clément Marquez, Arnaud Bringe, Isabelle Seguy 👥 46K 📅 June 21, 2026 ⏱ 16 min 👁 65 📄 original study 🧭 2026-08-15
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

matriculesmobilité résidentiellemarins18e sièclehistoire maritime

Summary

This presentation, part of a conference, examines the residential mobility of sailors in 18th-century France using naval registration records (matricules). The researchers focus on three maritime districts: Martigues, Marseille, and Cancale, over a period of 28 years (1756-1763). They analyze the succession of domiciles recorded for each sailor, revealing patterns of short-distance moves, often within the same city or nearby towns. The study finds that over half of the sailors mention only one residence, while a smaller proportion report two or more. Mobility is correlated with age, with younger sailors moving more frequently. The speakers also note the social dimension of residence, with many sailors living with family, in-laws, or employers. They acknowledge limitations, such as incomplete data and uncertainty about the timing of moves. Future research directions include linking residential mobility to family life cycles and comparing sailor behavior with the general population.

144 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation provides valuable insights into the residential patterns of 18th-century sailors, a topic not widely studied. The use of matricules as a primary source is innovative, and the analysis is methodical. The argumentation is solid, with clear explanations of the data and its limitations. The speakers effectively demonstrate that mobility was primarily short-distance and age-dependent, challenging assumptions about sailor mobility. However, the presentation is brief and lacks detailed statistical analysis, which could strengthen the conclusions.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The research is based on primary archival sources, specifically naval registers, which are appropriate for the study. The methodology is transparent, and the speakers acknowledge the limitations of the data. The title accurately reflects the content. The presentation is part of a university conference, suggesting a scholarly context, but it is not a peer-reviewed publication. The sources cited are not explicitly listed, but the archival materials are implied.

159 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on residential mobility of sailors as revealed by naval registers.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The presentation is based on original archival research using French naval registers (matricules) from the 18th century. The methodology is clearly explained, and the speakers acknowledge limitations (e.g., incomplete data, dating issues). However, the presentation is a conference talk, not a peer-reviewed publication, and some claims lack detailed statistical backing.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • Matricules des gens de mer (18th century) — Primary archival source used for the study, containing registration records of sailors.

Concurring Sources

  • Matricules des gens de mer (18th century) — Primary source used, consistent with the study's findings.

Contribution & Novelties

This presentation offers a novel approach to studying historical mobility by using naval registration records, which provide detailed residential information. The findings challenge assumptions about sailor mobility, showing that it was primarily short-distance and age-dependent. The research also highlights the social networks of sailors, as many lived with family or employers.

Pour aller plus loin :

93 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows a balanced distribution across the four dimensions, with slightly higher scores in information quantity and quality, reflecting the detailed archival data and clear presentation. The technical level is moderate, suitable for an academic audience, while reliability is high due to the use of primary sources.

Reliability 7/10

💬 No comments were provided for analysis.