House History Research Record Book

Compiled and published by Huddersfield and District Family History Society

Introduction

House History Research is an investigation into a mix of related records – family history, local history, architectural history and social history. Starting out on this type of research requires the ability to organise and plan a project well. Managing your documentation and findings is the key to keeping a clear head as you get further with your research. This book will help you to do just that.

Your house doesn’t necessarily need to be over 100 years old before you start a house history research. You could think of this as a project that will be completed by future generations, House deeds show changes of ownership; electoral registers provide recent history as well as taking you back into the 19th century and beyond. The 1939 National Register provides full dates of birth of residents as well as detailed occupation information, Of course, there are many more records, to take your search back further, most of which are covered in this booklet.

In the centre pages there is a deliberately empty space for you to include photographs — these may be of the house itself, the surrounding area or the people who made the house a home.

Whilst at some point in the future you may wish to produce a professionally bound book of your research, this file will enable you to take all your relevant notes to the places where you might undertake your research, be it at the local library, local archive, family or local history society headquarters, etc. It can be kept by your side during the hours spent at your computer or laptop so that relevant information is instantly to hand.

There are record sheets to complete for all likely relevant research records as well as useful information throughout the file to assist with your research. Towards the end of the file we list useful websites, helpful books and records to consult as well as key dates in history.

Some of the useful information contained is relevant particularly to the West Yorkshire area but the book itself can be used for house history research anywhere in the UK.

The information contained within this document is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

You may also find this book useful as a guide to Tracing your House History