Prove your origin. The Importance of Identity Documents for Swiss migrants in the Eighteenth-Century Republic of Venice and the Savoyard States (original) (raw)

In early modern times the Swiss Confederacy was deeply characterised by emigration. Among the preferred destinations of these multiform migratory flows were the Republic of Venice and the Savoyard States. These migrants were soldiers, artisans, merchants, common urban workers and even peasants. Given the proximity of the Venetian and Savoyard territories, their presence was mainly seasonal, or simply non-permanent, even if a significant part of these workers was permanently resident. In order to work, to reside and to have access to rights, migrants were often asked to produce 'identity documents'. That was particularly true for Swiss migrants who, thanks to the alliance treaties linking the cantons to Venice and Savoy, as well as to a long-lasting presence in these States, benefited from various privileges, above all in terms of access to work, fiscal exemptions, and freedom of movement and of religious practices. Because of these important privileges, Swiss identity became crucial, both in the Republic of Venice and in Savoy (not to mention other countries, such as France). What kind of documents were required? Who asked for these documents? In which situations and for which purposes? Where, and from which authorities, was this documentation produced? Were there cases of abuse, forging and dissimulation? Different types of documents were in use: passports, baptismal and marriage certificates, but also nationality certificates and certificates of good conduct. In certain documents, properties of migrants were also mentioned. Depending on the situation, the period and the context, marriage and baptismal certificates may have been considered insufficient and therefore other evidences may have been required. Documents were normally requested by local authorities in order to include or exclude migrants from resources, work and privileges. Some documents were produced abroad-by a notary and in front of witnesses-while for other certificates, migrants had to apply in their homeland (in their parishes or community of origin). Collecting and possessing such 'identity documents' was essential for mobile people frequently obliged to prove their origin in order to have access to rights and local resources. The study of the practices concerning 'identity documents' offers therefore the opportunity to tackle the socioeconomic implications of urban migration, and more specifically key issues such as identification procedures, identity pluralism, urban work and mobility, protonationality, citizenship, as well as nation and State-building.