Demographic transition in a frontier town : Manti, Utah, 1849-1948

This dissertation recapitulates the historical demography of a frontier town, Manti, Utah, from 1849 through 1948. Demographic transition theory was used as a framework by which to discuss population composition and change. Special attention was given to community history and the influences of state and national developments affecting the local population. Three periods of community and population history were noted: (1) the Frontier Period (1849-1889), (2) the Transition Period (1890-1929), and (3) the Modern Period (1930-1948).

Family reconstitution was used to collect demographic information on individuals and families. Membership records of the IDS Church and civil records maintained by the City of Manti, Utah, and Sanpete County, Utah, were used to identify townspeople and source documents for the dates of vital events which they experienced. The method, quality of data sources and issues relating to Mormon genealogical and ecclesiastical records were discussed in detail. Also, issues in computer processing and specifics of programming that generated demographic data from genealogical sources were outlined. For example, a discussion of the logic underlying the calculation of age at death was included.

The findings of the study lead to the conclusion that the population experienced demographic transitions in mortality and fertility. Also, a transition in type and form of migration occurred over the 100 year period of community history examined. Based on family reconstitution data, over 3,200 family units were identified and placed into the computer file for statistical analysis. Findings support the application of demographic transition theory and show that the population experienced demographic events much like other Mormon populations which have been studied.