House History
I’m sure every one of us at some point has wondered about the past life of their home. Who has lived there? What jobs did they have? What were the parties and Christmases was like? Did they have big family celebrations? Imagine the tears and the laughter that rang through the walls.
Or maybe you’ve wondered about the house itself and the surrounding area. Why is there a weird straight lump on the door frames? When did the row of cottages became one large house? When the windows were blocked up. Our homes live and breathe stories, some for hundreds of years and there is something quite special about this. House History research is a fascinating adventure into the life of your house and its surrounding area and can cover a wide range of aspects in its life. Including Local history, the internal and external architectural feature and the History of the people who lived behind the same doors and windows that you do now. As part of our research of your home I will consult a wide range of documents, some of which are accessible online and others which are held at archives and local repositories such as the local history centres, the National Archives and the London Metropolitan Archives. I can offer complete histories of your home, or perhaps you would just like to know the names of those who have lived there and dates. Any project can be undertaken, no matter how big or small so we can discuss your ideas and how I can make it happen. |
RECORDS
Records might include:
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HOUSE HISTORY RESEARCH
Before any research is done, I offer a free consultation whereby I will come and visit you to discuss your house, see if first hand and chat through what you would like me to find out. I feel that it is important to feel a connection with a house and see first-hand. At this consultation, I will discuss with you the types of research I will undertake, preview information which you already have in your possession including photograph and deeds. It is also really helpful for me to be able to have a copy of a large-scale map, and a copy of the deeds to take away.
I also like to take photographs of the outside of the house and the local area, which are then included in your report and also with your permission photographs of the interior of areas that you would like to be included in your report. Alternatively, you can provide me with your own photographs which you wish to have included in the report or which might be useful for internal history analysis. I can take photographs of your home which can be included in the final report if you wish or you may wish to include your own photographs and these can also be incorporated into the story.
I like to visit your house a few times during the course of the research and the number of times will depend on the level of package you wish to have. Finding out about the local area is also vital to understanding the history of your home and I can research histories based in London, Middlesex, Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex.
I offer two different levels of house history package with each level offering a written report on your house and its residents.
Before any research is done, I offer a free consultation whereby I will come and visit you to discuss your house, see if first hand and chat through what you would like me to find out. I feel that it is important to feel a connection with a house and see first-hand. At this consultation, I will discuss with you the types of research I will undertake, preview information which you already have in your possession including photograph and deeds. It is also really helpful for me to be able to have a copy of a large-scale map, and a copy of the deeds to take away.
I also like to take photographs of the outside of the house and the local area, which are then included in your report and also with your permission photographs of the interior of areas that you would like to be included in your report. Alternatively, you can provide me with your own photographs which you wish to have included in the report or which might be useful for internal history analysis. I can take photographs of your home which can be included in the final report if you wish or you may wish to include your own photographs and these can also be incorporated into the story.
I like to visit your house a few times during the course of the research and the number of times will depend on the level of package you wish to have. Finding out about the local area is also vital to understanding the history of your home and I can research histories based in London, Middlesex, Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex.
I offer two different levels of house history package with each level offering a written report on your house and its residents.
THE COTTAGE - Starter Report
The starter report will guide you through the basic history of your home and its residents. The work I undertake will include research in a record office using original sources, as well as online research. This might include the National Archives, London Metropolitan Archives, Richmond Local Studies and the Surrey History centre. The Starter Report is on 130gsm paper, and can be presented in a number of ways and include images where appropriate and also where possible. I can offer a report which is spiral bound, with a clear front and back cover or a soft cover book as part of the package. You will also be sent a pdf copy as well to read before printing, in case you wish to make any changes. You will then also be sent a final pdf copy of your report. If you would prefer a hard back book version then this can also be arranged. (Extra costs apply) Your house history report will include sections such as: A date for the construction of your house (this may have to be an approximate date, depending on the age of the building and the nature of the available sources). A timeline for the house A list of earlier occupants, based on sources (where applicable) such as the 1841-1911 Censuses, Street Directories, Rate Books, the Land Tax, Tithe Map, Electoral Rolls and other sources Copies of a selection of maps and historic photographs, where available and information that these maps provide A summary history of the immediate locality Pointers for future research Images from varying time periods showing what life was like during the life of the house (Where possible) List of sources used and also a list of sources to consult for future exploration. Based on a minimum of 12 hours research |
THE COUNTRY HOUSE PACKAGE - In-depth House History
The starter report will guide you through the basic history of your home and its residents.
Your report will contain an in-depth exploration of the history of your home and its people as well as the local history. The report will include photographs, images, maps, illustrations and other images where appropriate. I will investigate all areas that are available and the report will be based on the information and sources that are available. Many houses have a fairly good document trail and some places come with a large amount of evidence. Your report will be bound into a hard backed booked on good quality paper by a professional printer. Further copies can be purchased at cost plus 10%. I can also offer a report which is spiral bound, with a clear front and back cover as part of the package and you will also be sent a pdf copy as well to read before printing, in case you wish to make any changes. You will then also be sent a final pdf copy of your report.
Your house history report will include sections such as:
Introduction
Timeline (summary history of the property)
The local setting and local history
The development of the site
An outline of the structural development of the building and its architectural features
The history of the property and its owners
Reports on key individual residents and occupiers
A date for the construction of the original building (this may have to be an approximate date, depending on the age of the building and the nature of the available sources).
Lists of occupants, taken from sources such as the 1841-1911 Censuses, Local Directories, Electoral Rolls, Poor Rates, Land Tax, Tithe Apportionments.
A social history of the occupants - looking at their occupations, possibly local businesses and developments and links.
Images from varying time periods showing what life was like during the life of the house (Where possible)
Sources and Bibliography
Recommendations for further research
Based on a minimum of 25 hours research
The starter report will guide you through the basic history of your home and its residents.
Your report will contain an in-depth exploration of the history of your home and its people as well as the local history. The report will include photographs, images, maps, illustrations and other images where appropriate. I will investigate all areas that are available and the report will be based on the information and sources that are available. Many houses have a fairly good document trail and some places come with a large amount of evidence. Your report will be bound into a hard backed booked on good quality paper by a professional printer. Further copies can be purchased at cost plus 10%. I can also offer a report which is spiral bound, with a clear front and back cover as part of the package and you will also be sent a pdf copy as well to read before printing, in case you wish to make any changes. You will then also be sent a final pdf copy of your report.
Your house history report will include sections such as:
Introduction
Timeline (summary history of the property)
The local setting and local history
The development of the site
An outline of the structural development of the building and its architectural features
The history of the property and its owners
Reports on key individual residents and occupiers
A date for the construction of the original building (this may have to be an approximate date, depending on the age of the building and the nature of the available sources).
Lists of occupants, taken from sources such as the 1841-1911 Censuses, Local Directories, Electoral Rolls, Poor Rates, Land Tax, Tithe Apportionments.
A social history of the occupants - looking at their occupations, possibly local businesses and developments and links.
Images from varying time periods showing what life was like during the life of the house (Where possible)
Sources and Bibliography
Recommendations for further research
Based on a minimum of 25 hours research
PACKAGE FEES
Each of the packages has a starting fee as the cost will depend on the character, extent and age of the property. For example a Cottage built in 1900 will have a much smaller documentary trail than a Georgian House built in 1720, and therefore the number of hours required to research the house, locality and occupiers will be very different. This will be discussed with you at the consultation stage. Hourly fees and individual quotes can also be given for smaller projects. |