"How to Research the History of a House"
This information is made available from the Historic Preservation Office (HPO) of the
New Jersey Department of Envirnomental Resources web site.
Below is an excerpt from the introduction of the HPO article on How to Research the History of a House.
For the complete article double-click on the file below titled 'House Research'.
How to Research the History of a House
When tracing the history of a house, it is important to find answers to the following questions:
1. What is the name of the structure?
Note: It is important to use an historic name, one which will continue to be meaningful regardless
of changes in occupancy or use. Usually the name of the original owner of a house, or of the
original use of a public or commercial building, is the correct one for historical purposes. Sometimes
there is a recognized historic name which was used by the original owner (such as: Drumthwacket).
2. What is the location and address of the house?
3. What is its date of erection?
4. Who was the architect, designer and supplier of material for the structure?
5. What alterations and additions (with dates, name of architect, builder, etc.) have been made to the structure?
6. What is the name of the original owner and of all subsequent owners?
7. What additions to, or sale of, property were made by the owners?
8. What historical events and/or persons are associated with the structure?
The means by which to procure answers to the above questions have been placed under four basic categories: 1) Oral History; 2) Documentary Sources; 3) Inferred Data; 4) Physical Evidence.
