BUILDING BLOCKS
Melanie’s advice for getting started on house history
Begin at the end Work back in time – it’s common for house numbers and names (and street names) to have changed, so working backwards will help you spot when these changes occur.
Online house history records are increasing (free and subscription), but several key sources still need to be viewed in archives.
Maps There are a wealth of historic maps for each county, town, and parish, but start with the historic Ordnance Survey maps online, which were produced from the 1860s and then periodically through to the late 20th century, allowing you to track your house over time (or even narrow down roughly when it was built). A wide selection for England, Scotland, and Wales can be viewed at the National Library of Scotland (maps.nls.uk).
Local history Check out online local history groups for histories of the area, or The Victoria County History or Survey of London. These will guide you on the development of the area over time or even provide clues as to why and when your house was built. Start with British History Online (british-history.ac.uk). Do you have your own deeds tucked away in a file? These can hold key clues about more recent ownership, but also mention earlier details (you can request copies from your solicitor or mortgage provider).
1939 Register A census taken in the first month of the Second World War providing valuable details of residents. Available on subscription sites ancestry.co.uk and findmypast.co.uk.
Census (1841-1911) Taken every ten years, they record all those resident in the house on census night, with details of family relationships, occupations, and ages. Also found on findmypast. co.uk and ancestry.co.uk.
Electoral registers, trade or street directories, and tax records – a range of sources recording those living in the house. Some can be viewed online at the sites above but otherwise need to be viewed in the local County Record Office or borough or city archive.
Newspapers Search for your house, former occupants, plus events, through historic newspapers. An increasing amount of information can be unearthed by searching britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk, while some local newspapers still need to be viewed in the local archive or County Record Office.
Planning department which will have records of recent planning applications revealing alterations made to the house. In addition, the Land Registry are responsible for registering the ownership of property in England and Wales. A title register can provide details of recent ownership and, in some cases, historic details going back decades. Go to the official website at gov.uk/government/ organisations/land-registry. Available information will vary depending on your home.
Talk to neighbours and long-term residents to see if they remember any historic stories – if you’re happy doing this, it’s a great way to get to know your neighbours. Sale and auction catalogues, photos or illustrations, or deeds and records belonging to former landowners and manors, will be held in the local archives or record office. If you’re short on time for research, you can commission a house historian to research the history of your home for you.