Discovering the history of your house is a journey into the past, revealing the people, places and events that have shaped the home you live in today. But where do you begin, and what historical records can help you uncover its story?
Our House History Guides bring together practical advice, research tips and historical insights to help you explore the past of any UK property. Whether you are curious about when your house was built, hoping to discover its former occupants or keen to understand how your neighbourhood has changed, you will find guidance to help you get started.
From census returns and old maps to historic directories, newspapers and archive records, these guides explain where to look, what you might discover and how to make sense of the evidence.
You don’t need to be an experienced researcher to begin. With a little curiosity and the right starting points, you may discover that your house has far more stories to tell than you imagined.
Getting Started With House History Research
Where do you begin when researching the history of your house? This guide introduces the records, resources and research methods that can help you uncover the story of your property, from its origins and previous occupants to the changes it has witnessed over the years.
Discovering when your house was built isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem. This guide explores the historical records and resources that can help establish the age of a property, from old maps and building records to census returns and local archives.
Exploring Historical Records
Old maps are among the most valuable resources for understanding how a house and its surroundings have changed over time. Discover how historic Ordnance Survey maps and earlier mapping can help establish when a property first appeared, reveal lost buildings and trace the development of your neighbourhood.
House deeds can offer fascinating clues about a property’s past, including former owners, changes of ownership and details of the land itself. This guide explores what you might discover in historical deeds and how they can contribute to a more complete understanding of your house history.
Different Approaches To House History
Researching your own house can be rewarding, but knowing where to look and how to interpret historical records takes time and experience. We explore the differences between researching a property yourself and commissioning professional house history research, helping you decide which approach is right for you.
Researching an older rural property can present different challenges from tracing the history of a town house. House names, changing boundaries and gaps in historical records can make the process more complicated. This guide explores some of the approaches and sources that can help uncover the history of an old rural home.
Understanding Professional House History
What happens when a house history moves from an initial enquiry to a finished collection? Follow the journey from historical research and archive discoveries to the creation of a beautifully presented record of your home’s past, bringing together the evidence, people and stories that make each property unique.
Commission a Professional House History: Explore the Process
If you would like to discover more about your home’s past but aren’t sure where to begin, commissioning a professional house history may be the answer. Find out how our research process works, what information can help us get started and how we create a history based on historical records and evidence.