The Conference “The dotal deed: methodological approaches to the study of marriage in Portugal”, taught by Flávia Oliveira, integrates the Conference Cycle on Research Methodologies of Historic Investigation, within the scope of the curricular unit “Research Methodologies in History” of 1st year of the Master’s Degree in History. The open classes will take place from 4pm to 6pm, in person, in room 2.04 of Building 2 of the Gualtar Campus, at the University of Minho.

The Conference Cycle is organized and supported by the History Department/Master’s Degree of the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Minho, in collaboration with Lab2PT/IN2PAST, under the coordination of Fátima Moura Ferreira.

Free admission.

Abstract: A prenuptial practice, the wedding dowry was in force for centuries as a vital financial support for the formation of new homes. An act of public faith, this benefited not only the new couple, but also their respective families, playing an important role in the preservation of heritage assets and the continuity of family structures.
Addressing the potential of notarial documentation for the study of the history of Brazilian society in its most varied dimensions is the purpose of this session. Assuming the matrimonial dowry as a particular object of analysis, we intend to evaluate the importance of this notarial deed as a fundamental element for a deeper understanding of the (re)constitution of families, their influence on interpersonal experiences, as well as on the transmission and organization of systems of inheritance. Defined as a bilateral contract that established guarantees and obligations between those involved, the dowry was mediated by economic and social interests, making it essential to analyze who donated and who received, along with the conditions established in the deed.
Providing a detailed look at family and economic realities in Portugal, the study of endowment deeds allows the historian to access varied realities, whether in the private sphere – family and domestic economy – or in the public domain – society and culture.

Biographical note: Flávia Oliveira has a degree in History from the University of Minho (2013) and a master’s degree in History from the same institution (2016). He is currently developing the PhD project in Modern History, at the Lab2PT R&D unit at the University of Minho, under the title «Giving “heritages”, “building” families: marriage dowries, in the city of Braga, in the 18th century», project financed by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (ref. SFRH/BD/139347/2018). Member of the Social History Group in the North (HSN), of the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Minho.