House & Building History Research
Researching a Historic Property
There are many reasons why individuals choose to research a historic property, ranging from curiosity about one's ancestral home to proving the age of a particular structure for a lawsuit. Some university courses require an in-depth, primary research project on the history of a building.
The UW-Green Bay Area Research Center has several primary and secondary resources for individuals researching a historic property. The following sources contain relevant information specifically pertaining to properties in the northeastern Wisconsin region.
| SOURCES | INFORMATION YIELDED |
|---|---|
| CEMETERY RECORDS | *Biographical information *Tombstone art *Religious affiliation |
| CENSUS RECORDS -Population -Agricultural -Manufacturing |
*Number of residents occupying property *Acreage, crops, livestock *Manufacturing information *Demographics of residents |
| CHURCH RECORDS | *Biographical information (e.g. births, deaths,
and marriages) *Church history |
| CITY COUNCIL OR COUNTY MINUTES | *Ordinances concerning the property (e.g.
street names, licenses) *Background information on public buildings |
| COMMUNITY/COUNTY HISTORIES | *Information about buildings *Biographical information about people associated with the property *Information concerning specific dates or events |
| CORPORATE/BUSINESS RECORDS -Commercial histories -Financial histories -Minutes -Subject files |
*Types/sources of items sold *Economic history of the community *Histories of local business and industry |
| COURT DOCUMENTS | *Civil/criminal litigation involving individuals
and companies *Bankruptcy filings |
| DEEDS | *Title (proves ownership of property) *Valuation of property *Transfer of property *Dates of construction, remodeling, or renovation |
| DIRECTORIES | *Alphabetical listings of occupants, merchants, or advertisements at a particular address |
| ESTATE RECORDS -Wills -Appraisals -Administration of estates |
*Value of dwelling *Property transfer *Ownership transfer *Sale of property possibly omitted by the deed *Family information *Property/building description |
| FAMILY PAPERS OR PERSONAL RECORDS -Letters/diaries -Family histories -Ledgers |
*Detailed information about the building
(e.g. descriptions, architectural plans, historical documentation,
photographs) *Family information |
| ORAL HISTORIES -Belgian-American |
*Personal accounts by past owners, family members, or neighbors concerning the property's original appearance, significance, or evolution |
| MAPS AND PLATS -Town Maps -Property Plats -Private Maps -Sanborn Insurance Maps -Atlases -W.P.A. Survey Maps -Land Ownership Maps -Belgian-American Farm Survey Maps |
*Location and boundaries *Outbuildings *Any added or razed structures *Material composition of the building *Ownership *Specific uses of buildings |
| NEWSPAPERS -Centennial Editions |
*Advertisements *Articles about historical buildings *Articles about an individual associated with the property *Chronologies |
| PHOTOGRAPHS/POSTCARDS | *Architectural and land information *Remodeling/renovation *Associated structures |
| TAX RECORDS | *Date of construction *Valuation (increase in value suggests building improvements or construction of new outbuildings) *Ownership/transfer of ownership |
These are just some of the sources available when researching a historic property. Local public libraries, county courthouses, city halls, local historical societies, and museums also possess helpful information to assist you in your search.