House History Research

[bournonite]

I'm not sure how many people have wondered about the history of their house, but this lass is a gold-mine. I put a link to her site on ours, she's a real gem. Some of the research she has done on houses around here is fabulous - and I'm sure there are people out there who would like to know more about their house - so here is her link:

http://www.buildingbeginnings.co.uk


NB - I have no commercial interest whatsoever in this - I just paid her to research the history of my place!

Pete

 

[kiddings]

what do they cover that would not be inside a home information pack?

 

[Nemesis]

Rather different things.

However, for anyone who is interested it's not so difficult, and fascinating, to research your own house history.

http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/article012.htm

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1903365422/202-5917583-7059067?v=glance&n=266239

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/archives/house_history/bibliography.htm

There are often local courses available, here's a couple of examples:


http://www.ipswich.gov.uk/Services/Conservation/Research+Your+House+History.htm


HOW TO BE A HOUSE DETECTIVE
16 November 2005
15 November 2006
Looking at your house for clues in the bricks and mortar, visits to the museum's historic buildings to identify key features. Preparing for a visit to the County Record Office or local history library and how to get the best out of the material they hold. Working with maps and archive material.

Tutor: Penny Olsen
Course fee £60 to include tea coffee and a light lunch.
http://www.wealddown.co.uk/adult-education-continuing-education.htm#timetable


Local Records Offices are great places and the staff always helpful to newbies.

http://www.hiddenhousehistory.co.uk/links/

 

[sarahj]

We were sent the deeds to our house by our solicitor when we moved in in December - now they are electronically registerred there is no need for them even with a mortgatge. We were stunned to receive a huge package with paperwork dating from 1789 - well before the house was built in 1837 - with wills and all sorts of beautifully handwritten papers showing who owned the property. It confirmed the fact that we are the first people outside our seller's family to have ever owned this house. It could be a good place to start - you might be able to reaquire the deeds from your mortgage company if you register your house electronically.

 

[Nemesis]

We too have a lrage bundle of documents, which lead me to wider research about Lords of the Manor, Manorial rights and courts, common land and its history and laws, inclosures acts, all manner of interesting diversions...

 

[Nemesis]

Can't seem to get the link - so for Pieman....


http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=71850#71850

 

[arl]

we also got our deeds. dissapointingly we are not allowed to open a tannery, smoke fish or slake lime :wink: . there was even something about whale blubber in there to.

 

[Lime]

Those of you who have records of house deeds going back more than a few decades are lucky.
Because of a change of law during the 70s many solicitors destroyed all old deeds so original documents or copies are no more.

 

[Nemesis]

Some of us, however, were lucky enough to have solicitors who had some sense and passed the deeds back to us, or kept them in store.

Some, too, are in Records Offices.

I have the deeds for both my current house and the previous one. Those I am sorting out to give to the appropriate Record Office. They contain much that is fascinating about local areas.

 

[Sal]

yeh our solicitor was very enthusiastic about the paperwork we would be getting and I cherish it. there are bits of history all through it, even tho we only have a 100 years's worth (prior to that it was owned by the church). there are signatures of witnesses that give you a taste of the community farm workers.. daily help etc, When I get around ti it i might try some of these names on genes reunited.. and another plan is to look at the names of owners and witnesses and compare to the war memorials...

I also go the same sort of package of deeds on a former house of mine - although that was only about 100 years old, the deeds went back further on the land etc. I gave those to the new owners when we sold though.

 

[Nemesis]

I would have given them to the new owners, until I saw that they had ripped out the beautiful sash windows and fitted placcy...

I kept the deeds.

 

[tumbledown]

We also received a large bundle of papers - but sadly none of them went back further than 1920, although the house has been dated as 1550.

however, I have been on the Ipswich Records Office course mentioned in one of Nemesis's links. We haven't really had time to do much about it yet, but it was very useful. Lasted about 2/3 hours and cost a tenner ahead. It basically gave you a tour around the records office to show you where everything is, and tips on where to look for various records, and how to interpreting them.

 

[Carol]

We got 150 years worth of deeds with this house which make for fascinating reading. A trip to your local record office is well worth making time for, it is very time consuming but fascinating. We easily identified our house occupants back to 1785 and then I sidetracked to look at the local church bits and pieces, only to find 'our man' turning up as the Churchwarden, changing his (paid for) pew for a better one and signing his name in the Annual report.

 

[Sal]

I would have given them to the new owners, until I saw that they had ripped out the beautiful sash windows and fitted placcy...

I kept the deeds.

well yes... its a difficult one isn't it - cos they belong to the house.. on the other hand if they just bin them... eeks...

 

[Nemesis]

As a researcher, I think the best place for them really is the Records Office - where everyone can use them.

 

[pieman]

Thanks.