Step 1: Getting the basics right
What is My Address?
This might seem like an obvious question for someone researching their house history. But to avoid falling into common traps, ask yourself these questions now!
What is your house and/or street named? Do these names offer any clues about the history? It's important to note that house numbers, names, and street names can change over time, potentially causing confusion for researchers. In earlier times, especially in rural areas, properties might not have had formal names and could simply have been listed in census returns as "house on X road.
What Parish/District/County is the house located in?. Knowing this information can be invaluable for pinpointing your property in census and other records, facilitating your research process. But be aware that many parish names and boundaries have changed over time…
Is my house a listed building?
In the UK, listed buildings hold special architectural or historical significance and are subject to protection. Determine if your house is listed and its grade, as this can offer valuable insights into its past.
What is a listed building? In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. There are around 500,000 listed buildings in England.
How are buildings listed? The general principles are that all buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are likely to be listed, as are most buildings built between 1700 and 1850. Particularly careful selection is required for buildings from the period after 1945. Buildings less than 30 years old are not normally considered to be of special architectural or historic interest because they have yet to stand the test of time. There are three grades: Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, only 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I. Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest; 5.8% of listed buildings are Grade II*. Grade II buildings are of special interest; 91.7% of all listed buildings are in this class and it is the most likely grade of listing for a home owner
How can I find if my house is listed online? As the term implies, a listed building is actually added to a list: the National Heritage List for England. You can use this to discover whether your home is listed and if so, what grade it is.
What Can the Deeds Tell Me?
Land registry and title deeds can provide essential information about ownership history and property boundaries. Recent title deeds can be searched for online, but historic deeds would be with solicitor.