RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Shamana on Tuesday 03 June 08 17:56 BST (UK)
-
Hi ,
Is there a good way of finding 'house histories' My house was built 1917 but there was a cottage on the site prior to that. I've tried putting the address in the census search but it didn't search. :(
I know maps etc will show me the property but knowing the people who lived here and what they did etc. will make it much more interesting.
Cheers :D
-
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/househistory/guide/
Not sure how useful is will be. :D
-
http://www.hiddenhousehistory.co.uk/
Or this
-
Thanks again looks interesting :)
-
Are there deeds for the property which would list previous owners? If so, you can go to local directories if they exist for the area.
-
yes I have the deeds for my house built 1917 but no info on the original cottage I think it was called Aberdauddwr. I was just wondering if there is a quick way of getting and address up on the census returns to save trawling through them. Hadn't thought of local directories, would I find these in local library/archives? :)
-
Check with your local library first to see what resources they have - they should be able to suggest where to look for local directories, newspapers (perhaps indexed if you are lucky), etc.
Is there a historical society or history group in your area- they would probably be quite helpful.
-
Aw thanks for that I seems like a good fun project for my next annual leave. :)
-
Also suggest asking any older folks in the area if they remember anything about the inhabitants. They might be able to tell you things they remember hearing from their parents and grandparents.
If the cottage did have a name as the local minister(s) for a look through their church records as you might get names and dates from baptisms, etc. Stroll through the local graveyards looking for the house name on headstones...
-
Ha good point! The cottage was replaced by a Manse so that'll be my next move to check out the chapel records. Good thinking Aghadowey ;D
-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/get_started/house_09.shtml
Cheer
Sarndra
www.sarndra.com
-
Hi ,
Is there a good way of finding 'house histories' My house was built 1917 but there was a cottage on the site prior to that. I've tried putting the address in the census search but it didn't search. :(
I know maps etc will show me the property but knowing the people who lived here and what they did etc. will make it much more interesting.
Cheers :D
Census searches don't always work, because enumerators didn't always put the proper house addresses in, but I've usually found that a manual search of the same area in the different censuses usually finds the places I'm interested in. Of course, to be able to do this without breaking the bank will require an unlimited viewing subscription to somewhere like Ancestry or The Genealogist sites.
-
You can often find a particular house on a census by starting from one nearby which can be clearly identified and then progressing along the enumerators walk. I have found this necessary even when I have known that a family had owned the same property for generations due to street names changing or enumerators not using house numbers.
David
-
Looks like it's a weekend in the local churchyard for me!
So silly that I never thought of doing that, many of the properties around here are very old so all I need is a name and a house/farm name from a headstone and this should get me close in the census. yay
You lot are fantastic. Thank you
-
If the cottage was replaced by a manse that would indicate a non-conformist connection and that perhaps you need to be looking at the local chapel rather than the churchyard.
I would also suggest that the burial records might be more revealing than the gravestones.
David
-
Yes the chapel and graveyard are actually opposite The Manse (my house) so next time I see the caretaker I will pop over and see what records are still there , if any.
I'm surprised to hear that burial record may tell more than gravestones, but will keep that in mind from now on thanks :)
-
I have burial records which identify the person as X of Y cottage where there is no gravestone. Admittedly most of these are much earlier than the time for which you are looking.
If you can find one the real gem is a local newspaper report of a funeral or come to that a wedding. These can give you a lot information.
David
-
We only moved to this house 6years ago and really love it it has a great 'feel' about it that makes me keen to learn about who lived here and loved this house and the old cottage before.
Delving into the past is so much more than piecing together a puzzle don't you think?
Newspapers are a great idea too thanks ;D
-
Sometimes people have written small booklets about their
families and homes, then deposited the material with their
local libraries.
I have found interesting information in some of these.
Kathleen
-
Another source of information at your local library is maps of the area. Many libraries have large scale maps of an area going back to the middle of the 19th century, which if you are lucky could name the house for you.
If there is a local historical society which produces a regular journal this could also be a good source of information. They often include histories of a chapel, or of a road that could produce just the information for which you are looking. Copies can usually be found on the local studies shelf of even a small library.
David