Suggested reading on building history
We recommend you read the following books on how to trace the history of your house and find out when it was built and who lived there.
Click on the title to find out which libraries hold the book and reserve a copy online. You can ask for it to be delivered to your local library.
'Tracing the history of your house'
Title: Discovering your old house
Author: David Iredale
Publication date: 2002 – 4th edition
Publisher: Shire
ISBN: 0747804982
Description: A good and clearly written guide to the many different sources for tracing house history.
Title: Tracing the history of your house
Author: Nick Barratt
Publication date: 2006 – 2nd edition
Publisher: National Archives
ISBN: 1903365902
Description: Highly recommended for help with how to start tracing the history of your house, including basic documents and other sources of information. Mostly based on the National Archives collection.
Title: Tracing the history of your house
Author: Peter Bushell
Publication date: 1989
Publisher: Pavilion Books
ISBN: 1851453156
Description: How to research into the history of the house itself and also its former inhabitants
Title: How old is your house?
Author: Pamela Cunnington
Publication date: 1999 – revised edition
Publisher: Marston House
ISBN: 1899296085
Description: Uses architectural styles and details inside and outside buildings, to date them and trace their history.
Title: Documenting the history of houses
Author: N W Alcock
Publication date: 2003
Publisher: British Records Association
ISBN: 090022214X
Description: Valuable information about the many types of records available in libraries, record offices and the National Archives.
Title: How to trace the history of your house
Author: D C Williams
Publication date: 1971
Publisher: East Sussex County Council
Description: A guide to types of records available at East Sussex Record Office.
Title: Be your own house detective
Author: David Austin, Mac Dowdy and Judith Miller
Publication date: 1997
Publisher: BBC
ISBN: 0563383143
Description: Based mainly on styles of architecture and fittings for period houses.
Title: Tracing the history of houses
Author: B Breckon
Publication date: 2000 – 2nd edition
Publisher: Countryside Books
ISBN: 1853066443
Description: Guide to dating everyday English houses from Roman times to the present day, based on regional and historical architectural styles.
