Tracing a properties history

Census data - se when it first appears (and who's living there)

Local council and Parish records.

Local history / archeology societies.

Any books written about the area (check your library)

I don't know if you would have a similar facility in your area but I got a picture and the history of my family home years ago.

The picture was of my house a year after it was built and had a lot of info attached (architect, builders, purpose etc).

I used the main library in the area for this that held the archives (Mitchel Library in Glasgow). Your main archive library might be a good start.

HTH

Thanks to both.

I will give the local library a go first and move on from there.

DO you have the deeds to the house? or copies of them? My parents have managed to get the deeds going back several hundred years for their house, and they are quite fascinating.

The National Archives has a section on its website about how to go about doing this - https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/?source=ddmenu_research0_c

Hope that helps

Try taking a look at www.old-maps.co.uk . They have most of the UK covered from the 1800s. Sadly they recently have "improved" the interface and effectively buggered up easy navigation and better features although the site is still quite interesting...

Try the Land registry as they may well have kept some of the deed documents if it has covenants etc. You can get copies of whatever they hold.

Also might be worth getting in touch with your mortgage co, as they might hold the old deeds on deposit (theyre not worth anything once the house is registered but some do still keep them) Our solicitor was given the deeds to our house to give to us from our mortgage co and we hold them here in the house, some of the old Indentures are v impressive. The plot of land was bought in 1872 and the house was built on it in 1874 by Zephania Williams. It was called London House originally, and later bought by the Old Star Tea Company as a provisions store and was renamed 'The Old Star', some of the old folk in the village still refer to our house as the Old Star.

Its all very interesting and I totally understand why youd like the history behind your home.

YOu can search the 1901 census by address here: http://www.1901censusonline.com/search.asp?wci=ad_search

It seems you can seach earlier censuses there too, though not sure how good the data is.