This study began ten years ago when, having survived my Ph.D. exams, I began to search for a dissertation topic. My desire to study changes in women's economic and family roles in connection with some aspect of industrialization gradually developed into a study of cottage industry and agriculture in Normandy, as one research question led to another and I moved from general research in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris to more focused study in the Archives Départemental de la Seine-Maritime in Rouen.

Many people helped me along the way, and I am grateful to them all. Joan Wallach Scott, who directed my dissertation, encouraged my interest in the history of women, helped me find my way through the French archives, provided thoughtful and just criticism, discussed ideas, and constantly challenged me to become a better historian. George V. Taylor kindled my interest in French history in his graduate seminars. Franklin Mendels graciously endured my criticisms of proto-industrial theory and supported my work by encouraging me to submit paper proposals for international conferences on proto-industrialization. James Lehning introduced me to the computer, shared his ideas about proto-industrialization, and commented wisely on the manuscript in its final stages. Joseph Carens supported my desire to study history and discussed ideas with me as I worked them through.