By Kate Shilling — 2nd December 2022
As you journey along the investigative trail of your family tree, you’ll uncover clues along the way. One of the most powerful tools to discovering more about your ancestors could be the house they lived in, particularly if the family was there for several generations.
This fascinating arm of family research can be truly rewarding but you might be wondering where to start. Read on for four top tips for uncovering the secrets of your familial home.
1. Check out council rate books
Council rate books are a wonderful primary source of information on local dwellings. Historically, these were used to record council rate collections and include a description of the house and details about the owner. If you’re unsure of the street number, you may be able to identify it using other features, such as the name of the owner, the neighbours or any significant landmarks, such as a nearby church.
2. Make use of postal directories
If you’re not sure of the property’s address, a postal directory is your first port of call. Look up the address using digitised copies of local postal directories in your nearest state library. Just like a phone book, these old school directories are a treasure-trove of information and a great starting point for this type of research. Begin with the year of interest, such as 1930, and do some detective work to ascertain the exact location of the property. Was there a school on the corner or a historic cemetery nearby?
Keep in mind, the property of your ancestors may have been subdivided in recent years which could alter the street number.
3. Handy resources
Researching your family home or the long-ago property of your relatives is a lofty undertaking. There’s an art to tracing this type of heritage and many books have been written on the subject to help amateur house detectives discover the stories behind an ancestry home, including when it was built and even it was decorated!
Click HERE for a useful webinar by the National Library of Australia – perfect for anyone who’s curious about the history of their house. Alternatively, How to trace the history of your house by Des Regan is a great resource.
4. Family History Holidays
As we curate your family history holiday, let us know if there are special houses or properties that are linked to the ancestors you're investigating. We can put you in touch with local historicans who will offer valuable insights into the heritage of the area, including architectural trends and prominent property owners of bygone eras. There's nothing more rewarding than standing on the property where your forebearers once trod. Historic houses paint a vivid picture of what life was like all those years ago and help us forge a connection with family members long past.
