Have you ever wondered who lived in your house before you? What they may have done for a living, and where they came from? Sources that are used to traced family history can also be used to look at the history of a property to find out these details - whether a modest cottage built in the 20th century, or a much older property.
- CENSUS - census enumerations were taken every ten years from 1801, with individual householder information recorded from 1841 onwards. Where specific addresses are given (they were not always provided, particularly in the earliest returns), these can provide a useful snapshot of who was living at a particular address at a given time.
- ELECTORAL REGISTERS - unlike censuses, where address data is not always provided, electoral registers provide a more accurate picture of the adults who were entitled to vote who were living in a property.
- TRADE DIRECTORIES - published by a variety of companies, 19th century trade directories give details on local amenities and tradespeople. Addresses and occupations can be provided, helping to trace individuals, businesses and property history. The IHGS library holds one of the largest national collection of directories, and more information can be found here.
- PROBATE - wills detail how an individual would like to leave their estate once they have died. Where property is involved, then these documents can be really helpful when considering the history of a house - this is particularly the case if an inventory is attached to the will, which can provide the names of specific rooms, giving an idea of the extent and layout of a property.
- MAPS - dating a property exactly can be difficult if the original deeds have not survived. Here contemporary maps can be helpful, and a date range could potentially be identified, looking to see when a building appears. The National Library of Scotland has digitised and made available online a significant collection of historic maps for the whole of the UK.
To find out about the history of your house, why not contact our team of professional genealogists to see how they can help.
