Ancestry Magazine

Old houses are full of fascinating family history. But not everyone is so lucky as to land a house that formerly belonged to their own family. So how do you find out more about the history of the house you live in?

• Study the architectural style of your home. Is it from about the same time period as the houses around it? A home that is much older than the surrounding buildings may have been a farmhouse that was later incorporated into the city. What materials were used, and have any additions been made to the structure? If you have unusually wide windowsills, the outside walls might have been made of logs or adobe bricks that are now under the siding.
• Look for photographs of the building in the past. Ask neighbors, search the local historical society, public library, or even the photograph files of the newspaper.
• Trace the ownership of the land through deed and property tax records. A sudden increase in the amount of taxes owed may give you a clue as to when the home was built or when additions were made.
• Look up owners in city directories. Some books have a “reverse directory.” This lists the homes by address and tells who lives there. It is a good way to trace the people who lived in your house.
• Use city directories to trace the professions of people who lived in your home. Did the father purchase an ad in the directory for his business? How big was it? Did his fortune change over time?
• Trace the owners in census records. How many children did they have? Did extended relatives live with them?
• Interview people who lived in the house or in the neighborhood.
• Check with your city planning and zoning department. Can you find the original blueprints for the house or for later additions?
• Read old newspapers for births, weddings, parties, and funerals that were held in your home.
• Look for Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of your neighborhood. These were created to rate buildings for fire danger. They may show details of the buildings and streets and show how the neighborhood changed over time.
• Check with your local Historic Preservation Council. They may know additional information about your neighborhood. If your house is old enough, they can also help you apply for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places or for other historical designations.