how do you find history on a house?

Question

i need info on a house that is now abandoned and i dont know how to go about finding this info. i need to find out if there was a murder or death in this house and i have no clue how to even start on my investigation. any info could be sent to [e-mail] thank you

Answer 1

The place to start is the public library in your town.

Something to note: Just because a house is old and abandoned doesn't necessarily mean something nefarious happened to cause the abandonment.

Once you are at the library, you should immediately approach the reference librarian. You should tell this person that you want to research the history of a house, and you should have the exact address. The librarian will help you locate the necessary records so you can see who owns the property currently (just because it's abandoned doesn't mean someone doesn't own it), and when it was purchased by the current owners.

You may want to interview the current owners or not if you are able to contact them.

The librarian may also have records of of the location that note significant historical facts about the house, and help you locate older photos. The librarian can also help you finding other locations for the questions that you have, such as the appropriate city and county offices as well as historical societies or other archives.

The library will also have a collection of local newspapers either on paper or on microfilm / microfiche. The librarian can help you find the articles you need.

The biggest asset you need for your investigation is patience and careful documentation.

Good luck

Answer 2

Start with your County Clerk's Office which will have a "Search" of the land on which the house sits. The building of the house will appear at some point and that's when you'll start finding names of owners/occupants.
You'll have to trace each family who lived there - also can be done through the County, City or Town Clerk. Renters can be problematic.
Tax records - local Treasurer's offices.
Birth and Death records - County Clerk. They'll have the death certificates which will provide cause of death. This stuff might help you. A lot of it can be done on line if you don't live in the area. If you DO live in the area - go to these places and "make friends" with the "ladies behind the counter." They'll be INVALUABLE!!
If the house is abandoned - it may have been taken in rem by the municipality in which it sits. It will have an entire file on it which will save you having to reinvent the wheel.
Good Luck and have FUN!!

Answer 3

First figure out the address. Then go to your town hall and ask to do a parcel or deed search. This will give you the names of the owners and past owners, the year it was built, ect.

With the owner's name (or address), search old newspapers at your local library.

It would be a great idea to ask the neighbors.
There was an abandoned house in my old neighborhood, so many people tresspassed into the house to vandalize, party, do drugs, ect that whenever anyone asked the neighbors about the house, the neighbors would instantly call the police. So if you want to ask people who live near the house, wait until you see them outside, and tell them you are curious because you always pass the house or something like that, don't tell them you've been inside (if you even have), believe it is haunted, just keep it simple

Good luck.

Answer 4

I would start at the local chamber of commerce... they might have building records... or a historical society that can help you....or you can see if your local police department has a micro-fiche machine that carries old police reports... or your local library might have historical documentation on housing.

I too find this interesting - we found the cornerstone of my old house and the date it was built was in the 1800's.... we did some research and discovered it was the gatehouse to a big estate that is now part of a park.... in fact, after finding old pictures (at the library) we found many other "houses" that were part of the estate as well. We pieced together a very interesting history of our house... it was the gatehouse, the house up the street was the carriage house, and the house across the street was the farmhand bunkhouse... the original paint all matches the estate house located about 3 miles away...

It was an interesting dig into Chamber records, historical society records, and library records.

Answer 5

I would start by asking the neighbors--long time residents in the area. Go to the court house and find out the owner and contact him/her. Ask the local law enforcement /fire department. Long time residents could tell you a lot--maybe. People love to talk--especially if there is a story. lol Good luck

You might even stretch the truth a bit by saying you were thinking of writing a book. lol Just kidding.

Answer 6

abstract of title - old owners - old renters - local historians - library who have old city directories - museums - newspaper articles - neighbors - court records

Answer 7

i have no idea about it but i wud also like to know this