History of Your House Top Tips
Before you start
- Begin by reading all you can about the subject. To see a list of the books at Bedfordshire libraries, click library catalogue, then click 'Search', then click 'Subject', then enter Houses, history of possession. See especially the book 'How to trace the history of a house in Bedfordshire'.
- Join a local history society. Go to Infopoint (local organisations, clubs and societies database) or see the printed version available in all libraries or see the 'Local studies bulletin' held at Bedford Central, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard libraries.
Your research begins...
Local studies collections in Bedfordshire libraries can help you set about tracing the history of a property in Bedfordshire.
These will tell you who was living in a particular house on the night of the census.
These list, alphabetically, streets and surnames of residents.
By consulting different editions it is possible to track the development of an individual building including alterations, change of use and change of plot size.
We have photographs and illustrations which might show your house.
The Victoria County History for Bedfordshire deals fully with manors and manor-houses.
Local newspapers can be a valuable source of information on local buildings and people.
- Topic files
Files of local information from local newspapers and magazines, pamphlets etc.
Residents of households are listed by property address.
An easy way to find useful web sites. See the Gateway sections House history and Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire towns and villages
- Books
Books about your local area may contain information and photographs that could help you. Check the library catalogue for details
Other useful sources
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Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Records Service - will also have valuable sources of information
- The Historic Environment Record - if your house is of historic interest, there may be information at Bedfordshire's Historic Environment Record, the key source of information on Bedfordshire's historic buildings and structures
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Land Registry web site - has forms on which you can apply to find out about property ownership
Bedfordshire Libraries contact details and opening times
Page last updated: 14th May 2008
