How to Find Out the History of Your House

If only walls could talk. For those curious to find out the history of their house, we don’t blame you. Whether it’s a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse, a Victorian beauty or a contemporary new build, every house has a history (though, some are more interesting than others). Not only can finding a house’s history make you better appreciate its quirks and charm, but it can also be helpful for preservation purposes. Fortunately, with the help of the internet, there are many ways to investigate the history of a house. Here are 12 ways to find out the history of your home.

Search the registry of deeds

Check the National Registry of Historic Places

Ask your Realtor

Contact previous owners

Look up old census records

Subscribe to a genealogy website

Visit a local library, historical society or preservation foundation

Head to a nearby battlefield

Research Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Explore the home and yard for clues

Conduct a title search

Read books on the area

Tips to make researching easier

Knowing where to look for information about your home is just the beginning. As you research, you can take steps to make the process more successful and maybe even uncover a few secrets.

Make a binder.

The best way to keep track of your research is by keeping it all together in a binder. Gather all your notes and copies of documents pertaining to your home, and arrange them in chronological order. Slip each piece of information into a sleeve protector in the binder. If you want to display information about your home, consider creating two binders, a working binder containing all your research and one with the pictures, maps and newspaper articles visitors will find interesting.

Note all names.

During your research, you may encounter various spellings of the same name. James Rogers may also show up as J. Rogers, Jas. Rogers, or even James Rodgers. Of course, James Rodgers could be an entirely different person, but you might not know that until you dig deeper. Write down all names, the date associated with that name, and the source it came from (deed, newspaper article, census records, etc.).

Don’t overlook small details.

Almost any element of your home could be a clue. Hand-hewn floorboards could indicate a particular part of the house is original or, at least, very old. The installation of a particular window style or type of glass could date a renovation. Even an old door knocker could give you a clue about a previous owner’s occupation. The more you read about architecture in the period your house was built the better able you may be to spot these revealing details.

Pay attention to street names.

Over time, street names can change. Your house may be on Dixon Drive now, but at one time, the street may have been known as West Street. While this can be easy to spot on a map, you may miss crucial information in newspapers and documents because you’re looking for a home on Dixon Drive, not West Street.

Don’t believe everything.

Just because a map indicates your house had two chimneys in 1890 doesn’t mean it actually did. Maps, newspapers and documents get it wrong sometimes. Regardless of what you learn, confirm it with at least one other source, if possible. A photograph of the two chimneys would be ideal. You may also be able to tell by looking for structural evidence of a second chimney. Or, a previous owner may remember living in the house when there were two chimneys or even renovating the home to remove the chimney.

Measure your rooms.

Does a room seem smaller than it should be? Or, does a wall seem particularly thick? Sometimes during renovations, rooms or portions of them get closed off. In between the walls, you could find old furniture, photographs, keepsakes, or nothing at all. Don’t take a sledgehammer to your walls based on your suspicions, though! Contact a general contractor about using specialized equipment like a SeeSnake Micro Inspection Camera or Walabot to see inside your walls with minimal damage.

Ready to move?

Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for your relocation. Taking on a DIY move? Check out Moving.com’s truck rental center. Best of luck and happy moving!