Abstract:
Using a large public genealogical database, this study presents new indicators to measure multigenerational mobility. They are examined on the example of Germany between 1600 and 1900, specifically analyzing up to six contiguous generations to determine the degree of multigenerational stability of the socioeconomic status. An AR(1) model is employed to assess the socioeconomic status, using occupational information. The findings reveal lower mobility in historical Germany, but stable with the number of observed generations and with variations across different regions and time periods. This study presents an innovative approach to incorporating crowdsourced genealogical data into institutional scientific research, as the data was gathered and linked by private individuals.
