The Eastern Woodlands cultures, which include various Indigenous groups in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, had distinct customs regarding marriage and family structure. In many of these cultures, it was common for a couple to live with or near the husband's family after marriage. This practice is known as patrilocal residence.
Here are explanations for some of the scenarios you mentioned:
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When a couple married, the wife moved in with the husband's family: This represents a typical patrilocal arrangement. The wife would often live with her husband's family, contributing to the household and participating in the extended family's activities, thereby strengthening family bonds.
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A couple was forced to move to a different village: This might occur for various cultural or practical reasons, such as resource scarcity, conflict, or the need to strengthen alliances with other villages.
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A new house was built: In some cases, families might build a new house for the couple, especially if they wanted to establish their own household while still maintaining ties to the extended family.
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The husband moved in with the wife's family: While less common, some Eastern Woodlands cultures practiced matrilocal residence, where the husband would move in with the wife's family after marriage. This could happen for various reasons, such as the status of the wife's family or specific cultural practices.
Overall, the dynamics of living arrangements after marriage were influenced by cultural traditions, social status, and economic conditions within the Eastern Woodlands cultures. Each tribe or group may have had its own specific customs and practices.