Please note: House History research is very heavily reliant on easy access to the relevant local archives. I therefore offer this service only on the Isle of Wight.

The history of a house can include the physical features and past of the building itself, but also who lived there, their personal stories, and the history of the place where the house is located.

A whole range of sources are used to help build the story of the house. These may include:

• historic maps, compiled for a variety of purposes
• census returns
• directories
• electoral registers and poll books
• deeds
• building control documentation
• rate books
• valuation lists
• estate papers
• tithe documentation
• sales particulars
• probate documents
• historical tax documentation
• newspaper reports

Some of the sources are available online; others are lodged with the Isle of Wight County Record Office or at other archives located on the mainland. You may even have some of the important records in your possession but need help deciphering them.

Research tailored to your requirements
Every house history project is different. Some may be well-documented at the local archives; others may not. There are even variations between the types of records available for different parts of the Isle of Wight. For this reason I charge by the hour for this research, working in agreed chunks of time, reporting back to you at the end of each period.

I usually start by finding out which of the types of records listed above are available for the area where the house is located. That becomes our ‘checklist’, and what we focus on is up to you. As a minimum, we could start with changes as seen through historic maps, any documentation about the property itself, and a list of people recorded at the house in the censuses (1841-1921).

With that in place you may choose to expand research about the people, and the local and social history. There may be interesting stories about the people living in the house, events that happened there, or what was there before the house. It works well if some multi-generational stories include building out family trees.

What you’ll get from me

• A full report of all research carried out, including analysis and reasons for my conclusions.
• Information included will depend on your instructions, for example if you’re interested in the ‘stories’ of the past residents, or simply wish for a list of names.
• Copies of all records identified and drawn upon in the research, with transcriptions where necessary. These will include some or all of the record types listed above. If you are also interested in the lives of the former residents, records included could include Civil Birth, Marriage and Death certificates*; Religious Baptism, Marriage and Burial register entries; Municipal Cemetary registers; Military Attestation, Service Record or Pension documentation; Newspaper reports; Criminal records; Electoral, Poll Book or Directory entries; Probate documents, including Wills*. Please note that the cost of documents marked with an asterisk* will be charged extra (at cost).
• To keep costs down, where I consider the information recorded on any of these documents is available (or largely available) online at no additional cost, I will discuss this with you, explaining what benefits there might be in incurring the additional costs. We will then proceed accordingly. Any documents purchased and received as hard copies will belong to you and will be posted to you at the end of the research.
• Depending on your choices, it may be appropriate to include one or more small family tree charts showing relationships between the residents.
• Where possible, and if requested, I try to step back and look for the stories: what was happening in society or politics, locally and nationally, that might have impacted on the lives of the residents of your house of interest?
• Old photographs of the house and/or locality, where available.
• Any further areas for potential research that you might like to explore will also be included.
• The report will be delivered to you by email.
• If required, arrangements can be made for printing.

Fees and other charges
This work is charged at £40 per hour. Most of the required records are available at no extra cost. However, research expenses, such as the £5 charge for a daily photography permit at the County Record Office, or for purchase of certain required records, are billed at cost.

Underpinned by years of study, research experience and qualifications
My House History research draws upon a Law Degree, advanced Genealogy qualifications, a Professional Diploma in Housing and many years’ experience of research. Find out more by reading my CV on the About Me page.

I also provide a full Genealogy Research Service on the Isle of Wight and elsewhere.