Having fun - Who lived in my house before?

[atlasfever]

Hi,

Ok, I'm just having some fun and wanted to find out the names of the people who lived in my house originally, or over time.
I used the 1901 and 1911 census, but curious if there is an older source. It seems that I keep having to pay each time i look for a different census (which is quite cheap anyway), but curious if there is a more efficient way of doing this search. I found the name of the parish at the time.

anyway, just some fun for someone a little bit obsessed by history. I was just hoping to find out the couple who lived in my home (georgian): the wife was the mistress of the earl of whatever while the husband was the boyfriend of the duke of soho Oh, and their daughter became the inventor of the windshield wiper. Just saying...

 

[Owain]

your local library / archive service may have street directories listing residents by street.

also they probably have census access cheaper than paying per access on ancestorsRusdotcom

 

[Sandsni]

Local churches tend to have archive records (or access to them at least) of births/marriages/deaths which might have addresses linked. Not sure how easy it would be to search them for a specific address, but it might be worth asking.

 

[JohnB]

Try http://www.genuki.org.uk. It has the 1841, 1851 and 1891 censuses for my parish, but I don't know what it has on other areas.

 

[JoceAndChris]

What tremendous fun. Yes, you should be able to get back to 1842 on the Census? I don't think they began the records much before that. I got to 1830 with a Tithe Award, because of all the agricultural land around the house. But 1800 ish ( date of construction) to 1830 is shrouded in mystery, which is annoying, as that cloaks the function of the house - estate manager's home or dower house/ party place for the Earl of Harrowby?

I recommend a look at the Electoral Roll as well as you'll probably see all the changing names, when is the date of conversion from house to flats?

Anyway, your research proves your home was high status, it would have had the full works in terms of interior design.

 

[TheForge]

The Census starts in 1801, but is more a population overview until 1841 when most houses are listed individually with details of each resident. The tithe surveys of the 1830's should provide at least an early map and directory which should be able to show the existence and size/scale of the house at that time, if not any information on the occupiers. Your local Records Office should hold it or a copy. Manorial surveys may contain older information if they exist for your area but they are hit and miss, again the local records office would be your best bet.

Incidentally there is no, and never has been to my knowledge, Duke of Soho!

 

[atlasfever]

I'm the Duke of Soho, didn't you know?

 

[another_richard]

You could try the enclosure award for you area. If it was enclosed by Sir Graball D'enclosed-Land:

http://hds.essex.ac.uk/em/index.html

You can search all counties.

 

[AMc]

I did a bit of this mostly using the census, I discovered that the Bricklayer living in the pub next door moved into our house between 2 censuses and a few other things.
The census records can be a bit awkward to read - our house flits from one parish to the other and often isn't listed with its true name so I have to guestimate based on other things I know.
I've also found other sources for things related like probate records for previous occupants that list our address. There are also Kelly's records (like old phone books before the phone) that list our house.

Norfolk library card holders can access a number of resources remotely - if you want to use Ancestory.com then you have to go into a branch. I'm sure other places have similar options.
http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Leisure_and_culture/Libraries/Norfolk_Online_Reference_Library/Quick_reference_and_news/NCC038355

Finally Ancestory et al often do free trials, if you can be focused on the task you may not need a full subscription.

 

[paddytt]

We used the Ancestry.co.uk service, and finally found all the Census records back to 1841 - it was fascinating. You have to be quite resourceful - our house changed name twice, and was previously known as the "Agent's House". Knowing that made it easier, but on the older records the house name was not recorded. We founds some by tracing known neighbours, and then looking for the job descriptions - we found the "Land Agent" and the "Estates Agent"...

regards

TT

 

[MatthewC]

I'm the Duke of Soho, didn't you know?

I thought that was Penners' title. Or is he the Earl of Kit Kat?

 

[Feltwell]

Ohh, Penners is a man of many surprises you know. Bet you didn't know how much of a fashionista he is for starters..........

http://www.pennersinc.com/

 

[Flyfisher]

He also knows a thing or two about wood flooring:
http://www.pennershardwood.com/

 

[Feltwell]

Yes, but I'm a little disappointed that the Penners family crest is so tame. There's no naked ladies or even anything to hint at pedantry

http://www.houseofnames.com/penner-family-crest

 

[Flyfisher]

Well, speaking of pedantry, that may be because that link is for 'Penner' rather than 'Penners'. :wink:

 

[Feltwell]

Ahhh - you have spotted the singular flaw in my little joke Mr Flyfisher.

 

[Flyfisher]

Just thought I'd mention it before Penners wakes up from his early evening nap.

 

[LadyArowana]

He also knows a thing or two about wood flooring:
http://www.pennershardwood.com/

.... and the salvage of large machines http://www.pennersheavyduty.com/ with such a diverse business empire to manage I am surprised he has time to monitor our grammatical transgressions.

 

[Feltwell]

I dread to think what "Penners Heavy Duty Parts & Service" entails......

But I'm sure he looks very good in his "authentic guayabera" when he's doing it.

 

[Flyfisher]

I dread to think what "Penners Heavy Duty Parts & Service" entails......

. . . lots of heavy lifting I would imagine, hence his bad back (that he never talks about).