House History and Social History Research
House history research
Have you ever wanted to know more about the history of your house?
How did the neighbourhood develop?
What was the house like when it was built?
And who lived there?
House histories draw on a range of historical sources and can be combined with surveys, drawings and diagrams to showcase the findings
House history research answers these questions. I can document the architectural and social history of your Yorkshire house, revealing the past so that you can form a deeper connection with the home you treasure.
Using a range of archival services (such as deeds, census records, electoral registers, directories, maps and building control plans), plus your own personal collections if you have any, I will provide a chronological history of your house and its occupants :
- Historic maps of the neighbourhood
- Historic drawings (if available)
- Previous occupants names and basic details
- Photographs (if available)
- Interpretive commentary
Whether you want a book format or a wall display, for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, I offer a range of presentation options:
- Report with perfect / soft bound cover
- Report with hard cover (and optional gift box)
- Poster
- Standard paper (50 x 70cm, A2 or A1)
- Superior paper (A2 only)
In addition, I offer a range of optional services to enhance your house history report or poster:
- Line drawings of your home’s exterior elevation (produced using CAD, from a photograph you provide)
- Measured survey of your home to produce CAD plans of your house as it exists today
- Archaeological survey and report to identify the key periods of change in your home’s fabric
- Social history research, for example to record the life and memories of a loved one who lived in the house
Social history research
Would you like a record of someone’s life, told in their own words?
Or perhaps you are interested in discovering and recording the memories and experiences of community group members?
I will work with you to understand what you want from the research, and provide services relevant to your needs. This might include:
- A single or series of oral history or life story interviews designed to capture whatever is important to you / them, whether that is an overview of an entire life, or a more detailed insight into a specific part of life
- An audio recording
- A full, typed transcript
- A biography / report along with any photographs or documents you would like included
- Additional research such as sourcing archival documents or genealogy
For individuals, social history research makes a lovely gift and family keepsake that can be treasured by future generations. Whether you want a book format or a wall display, I offer a range of presentation options:
- Biography / report with perfect / soft bound cover
- Biography / report with hard cover (and optional gift box)
- Poster
- Standard paper (50 x 70cm, A2 or A1)
- Superior paper (A2 only)
For community groups and other organisations (such as libraries and museums), social history research projects can engage members, enhance your activities offering, and provide an important long-term addition to your records / collections. I will work with you to tailor a presentation format to your needs, whether as a report, exhibition or online content.
Click below for information on my other community engagement services, and contact me to discuss your requirements.