Research the History of Your House

If walls could speak, oh, the stories your house would tell… If you own an older home, you’ve probably at some point wondered who slept in your bedroom long before you, when your plumbing was last updated, or, maybe, why that ghost keeps hiding your car keys. Want to get a glimpse into the secret past of your abode? Try these steps.

Steps

 * 1) [[Image:226254704_ec334d4e47.jpg|200px|right]]Inspect your house closely. You can learn a lot just by looking.  Check out how your house was built and what type of building materials were used.
 * 2) If you live in the United States, the registry is usually found in the clerk and recorder’s office.  Ask for the registry of deeds for your particular property.  In the U.S available.  Knowing who came before you may allow you to get a better image of the original house.  Of course, this is will one owner to another

Tips

 * . If you’re making a lot of copies at the public records office or library, one question you should always ask (if it’s not posted) is how much they charge for copies.
 * Try to find pictures of the house or neighborhood from past years to give you a good idea of what’s happened in the time since the pictures were taken.
 * Try free services offered by thatsmyoldhouse.com. This is a site that allows people to talk about their old homes, changes they made, memories, etc. Search and entry is free.

Warnings

 * Take care in infringing on the personal lives of previous owners or relatives. They may have painful memories which they do not wish to remember, or they may just not want to be bothered. In some cases it might be best to gather your information without personally contacting these people.  In any case, respect their wishes if they don’t want to take the time to talk with you.
 * Handle delicate and old documents carefully. They may be the only records available. Protect them with clear archival covers (available at scrapbook or crafts stores) and save them in binders. Binders will help in many ways.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Buy a House
 * How to Clean a House
 * How to Choose a Home Improvement Contractor
 * How to Find Your Ideal House
 * How to Navigate the Home Building Process
 * How to Wash Your House
 * How to Level an Existing House
 * How to Stage Your Home for a Sale
 * How to Sell Your Own Home

Sources and Citations

 * The Smithsonian
 * UK National Archives
 * Toronto Public Library Tips on how to trace the history of your house
 * University of Maryland Beginners guide for researching house history