Delving into building history
Would you like to find out more about the history of your house?
Do you want to research any historic building? Is it in the United Kingdom or Ireland?
If so this guide by Jean Manco will start you on the detective trail. Some information could be just a few clicks away, but to get the full story you will need to visit libraries and archives. Researching Historic Buildings points the way.
It includes hints on planning a research programme, and clues to finding and understanding useful sources. There are bibliographies on everything from architects to Victorian architecture. There are quick guides to archives. There are introductions to a wide range of building types and architectural styles, plus the development of towns and villages. Eccesiastical sources are such a big topic that the Church gets a section to itself.
Please note that 
of any type is not accepted anywhere
on this website. This includes paid links, text, images, and articles. I am
always pleased to receive news of genuine interest to my readers, but that does
not include commercial websites and services.
Help
Choose a section from the top menu. Then use the side menu to explore.
- A good place to start is pointers to help you plan your research.
- Gazetteers and inventories will lead you to what is on record about an historic building.
- Do you know who designed the building? See the books and links on architects and engineers.
- Local history suggests books to help you ferret out and understand the local context.
- Towns and villages may help to place the building in its setting.
- Maps and images are the best place to start looking beyond the printed page.
- Though the most important thing to look at is the building itself.
- Select the type of building for an outline history of the type and any studies, gazetteers and specific sources.
- The style section takes a brief look at British architectural styles and lists further reading.
- By this time you may be ready for a trip to the library. See tracking down the book you want.
- The next move is to take the plunge into archives. Save time through careful preparation.
- This whole website is printer-friendly.
News and site updates
Local newspapers online
Increasing numbers of local newspapers are now available online. Recently the Kent Messenger Group launched an online digital archive of The South Eastern Gazette (1852 to 1912), the forerunner of the Kent Messenger. The project was supported by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and diligent volunteers, making possible free access within the UK. Meanwhile a commercial operation, Last Chance To Read, makes available a collection of thousands of pages of scarce British and Irish newspapers, most of which were printed between the years 1710 and 1870. Search is free, but there is a charge to download images of pages. These are useful additions to the growing list of online newspapers which you can find on my Local Studies Libraries page. 1 April 2013.
Constructive Conservation
From new hotels in London and Ipswich, to retail and office developments in Bristol and Yorkshire and converted industrial buildings in Derbyshire and Stoke-on-Trent, across the country there are businesses flourishing in historic buildings which have been repaired or adapted to enable them to have a more successful financial future. Thirty six such buildings are celebrated in a new publication by English Heritage called Constructive Conservation - Sustainable Growth for Historic Places (which can be downloaded free in pdf.) They are all conservation-led projects where English Heritage planners' positive and constructive approach to managing change has enabled historic buildings to be kept in use. 19 March 2013.
Irish maps c.1558-c.1610
60 different maps depicting plantations, fortifications and townships in Ireland during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I can now be dowloaded from the National Archives for a small fee each. The places shown on them can be searched free. 5 March 2013.
St Helen's rises again
St Helen's Parish Church in County Durham had stood in its old location for more than 900 years, but after being vandalised it had been slated for demolition. The stones were rescued by the Beamish Museum. It has taken 16 years to find the funding to rebuild it in its new home, but now the roof is on. Restorers are now looking for some Georgian pews to recreate a fitting interior. The BBC has a video telling the story. 20 January 2013.
Archaeology journals open access
Internet Archaeology has just announced that its back catalogue (up to and including issue 21 published in September 2007) is now open access.
Also the Royal Archaeological Institute has announced that the first 120 volumes of the Archaeological Journal (1844-1963) are now available to view online free at the Archaeology Data Service. 18 January 2013.