How to Find a History of a House

Your house might have a rich and interesting history.

You may have been living in your home for many years before you decide to find out the history behind the house, or you might have just moved in and are curious about your new home's rich past. There are several resources you can use to find out more about the specific history of a house. However, it will take some time, effort and a lot of research before you can piece together the whole history of your home.

Instructions

1. Research the building style of your home. In some areas of the country, certain styles were more popular during specific periods of time. Visit your local library to learn more about the history of your home's style.

2. Visit your local county courthouse to find deed records for your home. This information will give you a list of the previous owners of your home.

3. Note sharp increases in the value of your home. The price the house was sold for will be listed on the deeds. If you notice a major jump in price from one owner to the next, this could mean that there was an addition or improvement made on the home.

4. Look over tax records for your home, which are available with the deed records. Tax records will likely reflect when major work was done on the house. These can also include surveyor maps of the property. Compare these maps to each other and to the current structure and layout of your home.

5. Check out mortgage records, as well as will and probate records for your home. These records will also be available at the county courthouse, and they can help you fill in any gaps in history that the deeds did not cover.

6. Find previous residents of your home or their relatives. These people can help you fill in more of your home's history, including dates of renovation and more sentimental history, such as family stories and events. Your local library can help you track down previous owners and family members who still live locally.

References

• Old House Web: Finding the history in your home