Genealogy Chat

I am in contact with someone who lives a few doors away from an ancestor. What should I about? Thanks Fi

Fi Well that depends on what you want to find out! I would want to know what the house was like when my ancestor lived in it, but I doubt if the present owner would have much idea, unless it was fairly recent. nell

thanks Helen, I was wondering if a plan of the house would be good to have. My Gt Grandfather died in 1938, but the gentleman who lives doors away is an MP, so dont want to waste his time. Just wondered if people had asked about specific things. Fi x

What are you trying to find out Fi? Can you not just tell this person what it is you need to know . Ann

Hi, Maybe history of the house, like when it was built, how old is it. the layout of the inside, how many rooms are there. if you find out how old the house was, you could search the local history library, where there should be plans, of the house, and who built it, maybe where the bricks came from lol.....you could then check census for who was living there and when. I found that my family lived in my childhood home for over one hundred years, and no one told me lol, check houses in the same street, as families tended to stay/live together. maybe your MP could take a photo of the house, and email it to you, there's a few ideas for you lol........Lilly

oh Thanks for that. I will think about it and decide what I want to know. It is the only house that still exists in that area connected to my paternal line. I actually think a plan would be a great idea. Give me an idea of how they lived. Fi

Would have thought your best bet was to get an introduction to the present owner of the actual house you are interested in. Their deeds will give info on who has actually owned the house, and usually gives details like occupation, where they lived when they bought it etc. They may well not want to show you the deeds, but may be willing to extract details for you. If it's pre 1940's, I don't think you will find any actual plans or drawings as it was built before Town & country planning. What you really need is an elderly person who lived in the street years ago and actually went inside some of the houses at that time, as most old houses have been 'moderised' many times over the years. If you could trace descendents of people who used to live there or in the street, they may have old photographs of the house itself, the garden or street events, like Victory tea or Coronation Street party. Jay

Alternatively you could contact the relevant county records office/local history centre/library. They might have old photos, plans, architect's drawings and papers. The oldest house I lived in was built 1936. The deeds were kept by the mortgage company. If anyone had asked me about the history of the house, I would only have been able to tell them about the people we bought the house off. I have no idea who lived in it in 1936, let alone who lived in a house 4 doors away at an earlier time!!! nell

Personally, if it was me you were asking (and I was an MP!) I might be a bit concerned about giving you detailed plans of my house! No offence intended here, but MPs need to be very aware of security. Perhaps you could just say you are interested in the HISTORY of the house - does he have any old deeds etc and see what his response is. I had copies of the Deeds of my previous house which was built in 1904 and they gave every name of every purchaser up to me. Good luck! Olde Crone

Thanks. The MP does not live in the house I am interested in but he is away of it. I will be visiting the area in the near future so will make further investigations then. Fi

Fi, At the very least I would ask if it is possible to have a photograph, and also details of the village/town/area. It is nice to have an idea of where the house is situated and what it looks like. Why not ask the MP if he would give the current owners your details and then you can contact them direct to ask questions. Last year we went to look round the house where my Dad used to live, when it was on the market. We got the Estate agents details as well as being able to look around inside. Hope you get the information you want. Frances