2. Consider these questions as you explore your home’s past… When was the house built? Who was the architect or builder? What style is it? What did the house look like originally? Who were original owners or occupants? How does house fit into the neighborhood? The City?
4. 5 paths to investigate: 1.) Begin with the setting: rural vs. urban, waterside vs. forest, low-lying vs. hillside, newer side street or urban core 2.) Oral histories: ask around---neighbors and long-time residents, historical society members 3.) Physical evidence: style, building materials, framing, nails, roofing, siding, foundations, windows, doors, fireplaces 4.) Consult a professional: “house investigators” ($350!) 5.) Documentary evidence: deeds, tax records, probate records, cemetery records, building permits, directories, atlases, maps, newspapers, photographs, census records
23. Register of Probate Strafford County Building Wills Testamentary proceedings Inventories Administration Accounts Indentures Petitions Renunciations Accounts of sales Balance books Guardian bonds/accts Documents tracing the settling of an estate
