For a newer house

What was here before your house?

Our house histories are built from the census returns, the 1939 Register, the electoral rolls and old maps, so they work for houses built before 1945. For a newer house there isn't enough in the records for a full house history, but the land it stands on has a story of its own, and so does the place around it.

What Was Here Before tells that story: what was there before your house was built, often the old name of the field, who owned it and how it changed, usually from the tithe maps of the 1840s through the old Ordnance Survey maps, along with the local landmarks, churches, pubs and industry that shaped the area. We also find what we can about the house itself: a new house or estate was often news when it went up, from the builder's adverts to a report in the local paper.

What you receive

• What was there before your house was built, often the old name of the field, who owned it and how it changed, from the tithe maps of the 1840s through the old Ordnance Survey maps
• The local landmarks, churches, pubs and industry that shaped the area
• What the records hold on the house itself: the builder's adverts, a report in the local paper
• An illustrated report by email and a short printed A4 booklet in the post

What Was Here Before is £49

Delivered within three weeks.

Not sure whether your house is old enough for a full house history? Read about house histories, or email [email protected] with the address and Ian will tell you which fits.