RootsChat.Com

England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: Lisajb on Friday 19 July 19 22:16 BST (UK)

Title: History of a house
Post by: Lisajb on Friday 19 July 19 22:16 BST (UK)
Can anyone give me some tips about finding the history of a house?

My daughter has just moved into a flat that’s part of a converted house. The building looks to be old. I’ve found a possible entry in the 1911 census.

Obviously I’d prefer not to post an address on a public forum. Could anyone give me any advice about searching? The property is in Paignton.
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: Mart 'n' Al on Saturday 20 July 19 00:17 BST (UK)
Land registry will sell you copies of all the documents that they possess, but they charge per page I think, from recollection a few years ago. I also have a feeling that they won't tell you how many pages there are until you are asked to pay for it. I might be wrong it was several years ago I inquired as I was interested in the history of my own house but I decided the cost was going to be prohibitive.

Martin
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: solidrock on Saturday 20 July 19 01:46 BST (UK)
https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/your-home/your-homes-history/how-to-find-out/
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: clancam37 on Saturday 20 July 19 06:35 BST (UK)
Hi lisajb,
I have been researching and writing House Histories and Office Building/Public Hall Histories  for some years for properties in Australia and New Zealand.  Probably similar to the UK.
Suggest you first go to your local Library and ask for any records of Valuations, Rates Registers for a start.  These local government records give names of Owner and Occupiers. Check local Newspapers, by entering the address of interest often yields fascinating results.  The only documents I pay for are Title deed Records and only as a last resort.
Our State Library features a Family History Week in August and I will be a Speaker on this subject, having previously spoken at various clubs.
Please contact me if you want more assistance.
Regards
clancam37


 
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: josey on Saturday 20 July 19 10:33 BST (UK)
As far as I know, you have to pay the Land Registry for each sequential title backwards in time as when you purchase a title it is only the current one. I suspect too that with the popularity of the House in Time series, they are asked for this 'behind the register' service more frequently.
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: StintonLomas on Saturday 20 July 19 12:45 BST (UK)
Hi
Can I refer you to https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=815260.9

Some of the things reported in that thread might lead to further info;
I.E. finding the property on early oldmaps might lead to a different property name, this could lead to a reference in a local paper, or a local history group/museum might have info. 
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: gaffa712 on Saturday 20 July 19 12:56 BST (UK)
Hi
Can I refer you to https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=815260.9

Some of the things reported in that thread might lead to further info;
I.E. finding the property on early oldmaps might lead to a different property name, this could lead to a reference in a local paper, or a local history group/museum might have info.
Is this house in Llansannan, Denbighshire?
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 20 July 19 13:04 BST (UK)
Sometimes you can find clues from tracing the property on old maps if you can find it:
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=15&lat=50.4375&lon=-3.5639&layers=6&right=BingHyb

If you look through older maps you may find when the house appears so you can narrow down the time frame in which it was built or when the surrounding land was subdivided etc. The local libraries or archives sometimes hold town plans which might contain more detail.

If you believe you have found the address in the 1911 census you may be able to trace it back through earlier censuses.

This might be stating the obvious, but have you googled the address?

Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: StintonLomas on Saturday 20 July 19 15:46 BST (UK)
Hi
Hi
Can I refer you to https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=815260.9

Some of the things reported in that thread might lead to further info;
I.E. finding the property on early oldmaps might lead to a different property name, this could lead to a reference in a local paper, or a local history group/museum might have info.
Is this house in Llansannan, Denbighshire?

Sorry Gaffa, I don't understand the reason for your Welsh question.
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: gaffa712 on Saturday 20 July 19 19:43 BST (UK)
Because I thought I was on the Llansannan site.
However, where I live in Anglesey, The local archives have all the House Rates back to 1745. I have used these to find all the houses in my parish to this point and beyond. In 1608 every house /field was taxed. these can be found in the Public Record Office. Also, there was the Tithe Rate Assessments  in 1910 and the Tithe Rates abt 1840. also you can find closer to date on the 1939 Register. Best of luck, however if you are in Llansannan, Denbighshire I am researching that area.
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: gaffa712 on Saturday 20 July 19 19:52 BST (UK)
To answer the Answer given on the land Registry this was introduced in 1925, so if you have them on 1911, try getting onto the other censuses 1901 down to 1841. Use the name in 1911 to go backwards.
Title: Re: History of a house
Post by: Lisajb on Sunday 21 July 19 15:58 BST (UK)
Sometimes you can find clues from tracing the property on old maps if you can find it:
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=15&lat=50.4375&lon=-3.5639&layers=6&right=BingHyb

If you look through older maps you may find when the house appears so you can narrow down the time frame in which it was built or when the surrounding land was subdivided etc. The local libraries or archives sometimes hold town plans which might contain more detail.

If you believe you have found the address in the 1911 census you may be able to trace it back through earlier censuses.

This might be stating the obvious, but have you googled the address?

Yes, but I just get recent sale listings for flats in the property, or houses in the same road!