How to Research the History of Your House

Charm, detailed workmanship, history—those are just a couple of the reasons so many people love old houses. Of course, when your house is older than you are, there’s a lot you may not know about it. Who built it, and when? Who has lived in it since? Which parts are original? What kind of work have past owners done on it? Whether you need to know exactly how old the roof is or you’re just curious, researching your home’s past is the best way to get answers.

Step one: Ask around

One nice thing about old houses is that they tend to be located in established neighborhoods, and that means other older houses. If you’re starting out with next to no knowledge, ask around. You may find that your neighbors have already been through a similar process with their homes and can share some resources with you.

Step two:  Give your house a once-over

The style of your house can tell you a lot about when it was built, and even an approximate date is better than no date. Do some research on architectural styles with your home’s floor plan, silhouette, and details in mind. With a bit of background knowledge, you may even be able to spot where renovations were made in later decades, or if floor plan was altered. If you’re still unsure, you can always hire an expert more familiar with historic building practices. Everything from the foundation to the nails used could provide clues.

Step three: Go public

Once you’ve gathered as much info from your house as possible, it’s time to consult public records. By the beginning of the 20^th century, for instance, many towns had started requiring permits for renovations, and if you know where to look, you may just be able to get your hands on them. If your town has a historical society, get in touch with them. They should be able to give you an idea of what records will apply to you, and where you can find them. Your local municipal planning agency, newspaper archives, and courthouse may all house relevant documents, too.

Step four: Don’t give up

Odds are pretty decent that you’re going to run into some roadblocks along the way. Street names and lot numbers tend to change over the years, so picking your home out from all the others may be harder than you think. This is where cross-referencing comes in handy—once you find the last name of an old owner, for example, you’ll hopefully be able to trace the property through these kind of changes.