Social Classification of the Immigrants from Yugoslav Countries to Ancona during the Period between the 15th and the 17th Century

Abstract

The author examines, on the basis of notarial documents from the State Archives at Ancona, the number of immigrants from Yugoslav countries, with the exception of those from Dubrovnik, to Ancona and its countryside during the period betvveen the 15th and the 17th centuries, as well as their social integrity. This phenomenon was remarkable during the years 1430 and 1560, afterwards it gradually weakened, especially as the new-comers and their descendents assimilated to the more existent native society. As the newcomers, vvith the exception of those from Dubrovnik, lacked their background to lean on, they belonged, at the beginning, to lower and often even the lowest classes of the Ancona society. If, during the end of the 16th century and at the beginning of the 17th century, the social position of the newcomers improved, this happened because they were fewer in number, and because they had assimilated vvith local inhabitants.