Redes migratorias en la edad moderna: La comunidad irlandesa de Bizkaia

Abstract

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is an increasingly applied tool in sociological research and, particularly, in migration studies. Nevertheless, it has been used only for contemporary migrations up to now, lacking its presence in history of migration, which demands new methodological approaches. Accordingly, SNA has been used for the social assessment of the migrant Irish community settled down in early modern Biscay, fleeing from the English rule. The analysis has been based on dataset built from different historical archives and covering a wide range of information –familiar, trade, business, etc. Networks arising from these different archives have been both individually treated and collectively in an aggregate way, leading to successful results based on this methodological approach. The research has provided a detailed description of the Irish community in Biscay, pointing out its structure and functioning, areas and mechanisms of interaction, most noteworthy actors within the network, and other minor issues.