How to Research the History of Your House

Older houses hold a charm and a mystery that is difficult to match in a more modern dwelling. Rather than making up tales of days past, a well-researched history of your house can add interest and value to your home. Use the steps below as a guide to research the history of your house.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Examine the house closely. Note building materials used and architectural styles. To a trained eye, the house's building materials and style will give a lot of clues into the home's history.
2. Request a history of the deeds registered to the property. If you live in the U.S., this can be done at the local or county courthouse. Check the list for the earliest recorded owners of the property and a list of past owners. You can get a history of deeds through your county courthouse.
3. Talk to your neighbors, especially if you are new to the area. Find out who has lived in the neighborhood the longest, and ask them for any memories they have about past residents and neighborhood happenings.
4. Visit the local assessor’s office. Review the selling prices; a dramatic increase in selling price can help indicate when improvements or additions were made to the house. Examine surveyor's maps to see when nearby structures were built or demolished.
5. Use the reference room at the local library. Consult old reverse directories, which list houses by address, to find past residents and neighbors.
6. Compile the history of your house. Organize your documents so they are easily accessible. Take special care with older documents and make sure they are well-protected.

Tips & Warnings

• Use plastic sheet protectors to preserve documents, especially those that are handled regularly.
• Cultivate a friendly acquaintanceship with a reference librarian and a courthouse clerk; they know the best way to search in their particular area.
• Respect the privacy of past owners of the property and neighbors. If they are reluctant to discuss their experiences with the house or neighborhood, there may be a good reason.