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Have a question about a specific record or need help uncovering the history of your home? I would love to hear from you.

General Enquiries: If you have feedback on my blog posts or a general question about house history research, please get in touch.

Professional Research Services: For deep-dive research into deeds, maps, or census records, please visit my main website: tracemyhouse.com

Email: You can reach me directly at: k8earle@gmail.com

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Uncovering Your American Home's Hidden History: A Complete Research Guide

For a complete historical picture of a US property, you have to look beyond the basic census. In this deep-dive guide, I’m sharing the advanced research methods I use to cross-reference building permits with local newspaper archives to find the 'human' stories behind the bricks and mortar. Researching property in the States requires a different set of keys than UK research. From Sanborn Fire Insurance maps to local deed registries, American records offer a unique level of detail. I’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help US homeowners navigate their local archives effectively. Every house has a story waiting to be discovered. Whether you live in a century-old Victorian or a mid-century ranch, your home holds secrets about the families who lived there, the neighborhood's evolution, and the broader historical context of your community. Here's your roadmap to becoming a house detective and uncovering the fascinating history beneath your roof. Start with the Basics ...
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 Cracking the Code: What those 1921 Census "Scribbles" Really Mean Have you ever looked at a 1921 Census return for your house and wondered who "vandalized" it with blue and red pencils? If you look closely at the margins of your ancestor's entry, you’ll likely see cryptic numbers, ticks, and slashes that the householder definitely didn't put there. As a house historian, I’m often asked if these marks are mistakes. In fact, they are the secret shorthand of the 1921 Civil Service. These "scribbles" were added by census clerks in the sorting offices to turn raw data into national statistics. Here is how to "decode" your house's story using three distinct types of residents: 1. The Professional Office & Skilled Trade These codes reveal the "white-collar" and artisan fabric of the street. • Code 719 (National Government): Next to a "Clerk" entry, this marks a Civil Servant, indicating a secure, professional statu...
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From Tudor Beams to Art Deco Curves: How to Date Your House

You can often 'read' a house like a book just by looking at the joinery and the masonry. Whetherit’s the specific pitch of a Tudor roof or the geometric glass of an Art Deco window, physical clues are the best evidence we have. Here is my visual guide to the architectural markers of the last five centuries. When you’re standing outside your home thinking,  “When was this built?” , the style of the façade can offer some surprisingly clear clues. Over the centuries, fashions in house design shifted dramatically, and each era left its mark on our streets. Back in  medieval times , appearances weren’t the main concern. Carpenters and masons focused on strong structures and practical layouts, not curb appeal. Decoration was minimal, apart from the odd traceried window or a bit of exposed timberwork in wealthier homes. By the  Tudor and early Renaissance  period, however, things had started to change. Timber-framed houses became more decorative, with close-studding (lots o...
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