how do I research the history of my house

[dragonfly]

The house i am buying is about 300 years old and I would really like to find out its history. The surveyor told us that it had a rear timber frmaed extension carried out about 100 years ago, and we know it used to be a farmhouse but that's all.

I have only just started looking into it, and one of the suggestions I found was to use a previous census to find out who lived there. However, without putting a name in that relates to the address, the census search throws up zero results. Once we have moved in (subject to structural report etc...) I will start looking in more detail, but I would like to know where to start, if anyone can give me advice. The only recent history I have about the house is that it was bought by the current owners at auction in 2005. I guess some of the searches etc will give a bit of history?

Thanks

 

[Juju]

You can look at the 1901 census on-line by address and then get the name of the residents. So if you're lucky, they will have lived there on the previous census too. Otherwise, there's leg-work involved, ie visiting a record office to look at the census on microfilm. Contrary to the illusion given on various telly programmes, not all family/local history can be done in the comfort of one's home on-line!

Loads of info on-line or in books on 'how to do house history'. I think there's something on this site...

 

[another_richard]

Request the deeds from your Solicitor after you have bought the house.

We asked for ours and were sent volumes of information related to the whole area.

They did state that they were having a clear out and were not obliged to hold them any more(?)

 

[Flyfisher]

They did state that they were having a clear out and were not obliged to hold them any more(?)

It was recently made compulsory for all property to be formally registered when sold. Once registered at Land registry, the paper deeds are no longer needed. Typically, deeds were held by mortgage companies, because of their charge on the property, or by solicitors for safekeeping. The bundle of deeds also tended to accumulate loads of other historical information such as searches at each conveyance etc etc.

In short, there is a mass of historical information with the potential to be lost forever unless people specifically request their deeds to be returned to them.

Although it's now compulsory to register on a change of ownership, I believe you can choose to register property at any time. When registration is completed the deeds can then be returned to you whether or not there is an outstanding mortgage charge on the property, because that will also be recorded at land registry.

 

[Flyfisher]

You can look at the 1901 census on-line by address and then get the name of the residents.

I've done this and it was fine for the 1901 census, but for some reason the previous censuses (censii?) did not record the address information. There is a column on the original forms but it is not filled in.

I wonder if this was just an error in our area or if this was commonplace? It's a shame though, because it makes tracing the house history much more difficult.

 

[dragonfly]

thanks for the info. I tried the 1901 census but the address of the house is not recognised. brings up the next door neighbour though. I guess the house name has changed since 1901 so i presume some of the deeds would show that. I'm way too impatient!!

 

[Nemesis]

Do go along to the local Records Office and see what info is held there - you'd be surprised at what you find with some digging.

 

[Penners]

Is the house listed? If so, then the Images of England website might give you some brief info.

http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/

 

[dragonfly]

Hi penners

No, it's not on there either. beginning to think I'm the only one who loves my future home

 

[Nemesis]

Sometimes listed properties take a bit of searching for on IoE...

 

[alice]

Dragonfly, I can sympathize. My house is only about 130 years old, but I can't find the builder or the build date online, either. The 1901 census was interesting, but doesn't give any house information, just people info.

I suppose it really doesn't matter, I can date the place within 5-10 years or so, but I want to know exactly. I'll be spending a few afternoons at the council offices and library this July and maybe can satisfy my curiosity then.


alice

 

[Me!]

I tried the 1901 census but the address of the house is not recognised.

No, neither is mine even though the house is hundreds of years older than that. Has anyone else had problems finding their houses in the 1901 online census?

 

[inwood]

I too originally wasn't able to find my house but starting playing around with place names. It appears the house and street were registered under the parish name not the name of the village. Since the house has been moved between parishs a couple of times it makes this sort of search even more fun.

Try searching for the name of your parish in the 'Place keywords' section.

 

[Nemesis]

In my village (which was until recently quite a tiny hamlet) houses seem to have been called after the owner/resident.

 

[Penners]

Hi penners

No, it's not on there either. beginning to think I'm the only one who loves my future home

In which case, you should be able to negotiate a price reduction. :wink:

 

[Peter]

Your county archives should have the tithe maps of around 1840. You may be able to pick up it's name from that.

 

[Nemesis]

They may also have manorial records (if part of a manor) which can be very useful.

 

[Penners]

I've never tried researching parish or county records. Who doe sone normally approach for such things? The parish clerk?

County Hall for the latter, I presume - is there normally a Records Department that one can simply visit ad hoc and sit down with big leather-bound record books?

 

[bower1]

I wonder if this was just an error in our area or if this was commonplace? It's a shame though, because it makes tracing the house history much more difficult.

Not every house has its address recorded here, most will just be listed under the hamlet or farm which is closest. Luckily our house is on its own, so gets its own listing.

Some census years are better recorded than others, so try a different year. You may then be able to trace forward by using the occupant's names. Use neighbouring houses as a guide if the people in your house have moved in between census years. Bear in mind though that people sometimes moved next door!

 

[another_richard]

Hello.

Try the 1910 Finance Act Mapping and Field Books.

These are held in The national archives.

In thouse you get the then market value for the house, owner etc.

Very useful.