My family tree has a great girth in the roots but they seem to be digging less and less deep as time goes by. A product of the modern world or a result of changes to the immigrant mentality once established in a new home?
The above quote is interesting, because as the generations have gone on (I'm a fourth gene for example), the numbers of children have steadily decreased, from my original Cunningham progenitor (arrived 1876) who had 8 children, next gene 5 kiddies, next 3 kiddies, and now my own 2 sproglets.

probably more around child mortality rates, ability to have children help with work and or work for others and thus increase the family wealth / well being, and of course, the cost of children and the ability to run a household comfortably nowadays.

Worst comes to worst Alex, we will adopt you...