Thank you to Douglas McVarish for his deeply informative talk surrounding his book “Researching the History of a New Jersey House”. New Jersey has such a rich history, especially at the local level, and houses are an important part of that tapestry. House research can be a difficulty and taxing undertaking, but with his over 30 years experience in house research, Douglas does a fantastic job of highlighting the steps to take and the records to look for. So let’s tale a stroll around the block and put some context behind “If those walls could talk…”.
What is a House History?
Do people really write house histories? Yes, house histories can be a fantastic compliment to genealogy research or extremely helpful in assisting getting a home on a register of historic places. House histories can come in a variety of styles, from simple lines of ownership to examining the house in various historical contexts. When embarking on a house history, consider the following questions:
- When was it built? How has the house and surrounding property changed over time?
- What are the social, economic and demographic characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood?
- Who has lived in the house? What roles did they play in their community of residence?
Types of Records
Information related to houses can be found in a variety of resources, making house history research a daunting task. Deeds, wills, and other court records can provide crucial information related to construction, purchase, transfer, and inventory of houses as well as the person(s) involved. Newspapers can contain information related to people and events associated with a specific home or provide greater context related to its sale. City directories, censuses, insurance records, and building contracts can also provide a wealth of information related to the inhabitants and the house in a particular point in history. Visual records through maps, atlases, and pictures can document the home’s location and evolution, providing important historical context. Lastly, there are local histories and historic surveys that can provide a wealth of detailed information not only about the specific home, but the neighborhood and community as well.
Places for Information
The records references above are scattered across various repositories, organizations, and mediums. The New Jersey State Library has print and digital Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Agricultural and Manufacturer censuses from 1850-1880, postcards, clippings, genealogical resources, and the largest historical maps and atlases collection in the state. The NJ State Archives has extensive records for the Proprietors of East and West Jersey, annotated topographic maps, historic newspapers, and county records, including deeds, probate records, road returns, and assessment books. The NJ Historic Preservation Office has a fantastic GIS (Geographic Information System) tool called LUCY, as well as numerous historical surveys.
Other places to consider when doing house research include your local historical society; these are great for published local histories, newspapers, and city directories. Municipal and county clerk offices can provide access to a variety of important house-related documents, including deeds, plat maps, road returns, land division records, and records of legal actions. The Surrogate Court offices can help with locating wills, orphan court proceedings, inventories, and other estate documents.
More Information
If you would like more information regarding conducting house history research in New Jersey, please contact Douglas McVarish at douglasmcvarish@gmail.com. You can also check out his book “Researching the History of a New Jersey House” or download the “How to Research the History of a House” guide from the NJ Historic Preservation Office. You can view a recording of this webinar on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/4_P5dRAqE6A.
