I’ve been asked by a few people how they can find out when their house was built. And some people are always interested to see the history of their house.
The house I live in here, you can see probably by the old fireplace, it goes back into the 1800’s. Very old photographs. Well, I live in Durham, so I know it’s quite an old property, but I’ve never really beenbothered to get exact dates on it. But I know when we bought it about 20 years ago that the old deeds came because everything changed. You were allowed to keep the old deeds, so I have them locked away somewhere upstairs. Although it’s now common that all property sales are registered with the land registry. But you can search properties going further back on the 1862 Act Register with the land registry.
You can also go to your local library where there may be parish records. There’s county record officers – The County Council, well in the case in Durham, and I think they’ll all be the same. Old records, county records going back to the 1800s where you can go. You’re allowed to go in, make an appointment, go and search. And there will be some historical data there for you. And you can also look at old census returns and see if the property was there, going back, because a census is done every 10 years. And then you can go back and then you can actually see who lived in the property.
That’s interesting.
I’m just trying to think of what else. I think that’s probably going to be the limit. And also, if you are looking to move and you want to find out the history before you buy, then you can ask around a local town or village. Some people might know more than others. There’s always a local historian. I don’t care where you go, there’s always a local historian that has good old local knowledge. And like I said, where I live, it’s a village.
So I hope that helps. If you want to have a chat about it any time, please give me a call at 0191 486 2386. I’m always available.
