How to start
When undertaking research, it is often best to start by investigating the history of the neighbourhood, which might be the village, suburb or town in which the house is located. Join your local history and/or amenity society and benefit from research already carried out or in progress. Many public libraries have sections devoted to local history and topography, and staff will be able to suggest useful sources of information. Local place names can provide valuable clues: Iron Lane, for example, might indicate the former existence of a thriving local industry, and pub names, especially where they comprise the name of a prominent family, could suggest that the property was formerly part of a large estate. Don’t forget the value of oral history: elderly neighbours who have lived most of their lives nearby can be an invaluable source of facts, stories and traditions.
Understanding a historic building and its setting is the key to successfully conserving it, and an integral part of good conservation practice.
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Further reading ›
Many people live in historic houses – researching their history can be surprising and rewarding.
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Further reading ›
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