Tracing the History of Your House: The Building, the People, the Past

This guide to researching the history of a house, old or new, is for anyone who is interested in historical properties, from their own house to stately homes. It explains how to explore the many sources of information available to the amateur house detective, including the three great land surveys of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the records of the Land Registry, and conveyancing documents. For the more advanced researcher tax and manorial documents provide records of properties dating back to the medieval period. More modern dwellings can be studied through building plans, local directories, electoral lists and rate books. Use this guide to put together the fascinating story of your home, including who built it and when, details of previous occupants and even clues to their choice of interior decoration! This edition is fully updated and expanded throughout, including: new coverage of local sources nationwide; improved material on modern sources; a new chapter on interpreting architectural and interior features; new case studies including Walcot Square which features on the book's cover.