Keeping RecordsKeeping accurate notes of what you find or conversations you have is important. Our advice is to always make a note and keep a record of what you have looked at or been told and the location and source of that information. You may feel that something you are told or read is not relevant but it may become significant as your research progresses. Making a note of a conversation or reference will save you having to waste time re-checking sources later on.
Handling documentsWhenever you handle original or old documents either at home or in the archives be sure to handle them carefully. Always try to keep them in a protective cover in a strong binder or box. It is always a good idea to carefully photocopy old and original documents and then offer them to the local record office, library or local history group.
We always try to find old photographs and pictures of the house we are researching and its neighbourhood. If possible try to take photographs from the same position as the original to provide you with an idea of how the area has changed. 
|
Writing it all up Once you have discovered the history of your house and perhaps the lives of some of the occupants you may be wondering what to do with all that information.
You owe it to future generations and occupants as well as your local community to tell the story of your house but how do you go about it. The easy answer is to bundle all your notes, documents, maps and photos together and give them to your local history association. Much more fun and rewarding would be setting it all out. You could decide to write it up and provide a book about your house but there are other methods. You might feel more comfortable “talking” your story onto a video or CD recording. Below you will find lots of links and more information about writing you story. Many of them show you how to write up a family history but the methods employed are just as relevant to house history. |
Where I can find out more?
A very good article which is mainly about writing family history but the processes are the same for writing up the local or house history
The armchair Genealogist – research and write your family history Lynn Palermo in Canada is a freelance writer and family historian with a particular interest in writing life stories and has set out on this website lots of excellent tips and hints.
Old House? - Write a House History For Your Home
Visiting where your Ancestors Lived is an excellent example and practical experience by Christine Sleeter
If you feel you need help, Gill Blanchard is a historical biographer, a writer of local histories, professional genealogist, and a house historian so who better to teach you how to write up your house history
Write Your Family History. It is not necessarily about house history but shows how to set about recording the history.
Top tips that help you approach writing about local history in the best way from the BBC. .10 Steps to writing your family
The armchair Genealogist – research and write your family history Lynn Palermo in Canada is a freelance writer and family historian with a particular interest in writing life stories and has set out on this website lots of excellent tips and hints.
Old House? - Write a House History For Your Home
Visiting where your Ancestors Lived is an excellent example and practical experience by Christine Sleeter
If you feel you need help, Gill Blanchard is a historical biographer, a writer of local histories, professional genealogist, and a house historian so who better to teach you how to write up your house history
Write Your Family History. It is not necessarily about house history but shows how to set about recording the history.
Top tips that help you approach writing about local history in the best way from the BBC. .10 Steps to writing your family