Forms help researchers organize their thoughts, their notes, their contacts, their data, in essence, their research. Over the years, I have seen, even created, many form packs. Some are creative, some useful. Occasionally, I will come across some forms that are both—well thought out and of clean but functional design. House History Starter Pack: All you need to become your own house detective is a collection of those rare forms that are easy on the eyes, easy to use, and highly-functional at the same time.
This form packet is unique in many ways. First, it was not designed for use by family historians; yet, it has many great forms useful to genealogists. Second, it comes the [British] National Archives Public Record Office, thus is useful in British ancestral research. Third, instead of being designed to research people, the packet was designed to research the history of a home. Genealogists will find the packet useful and interesting for two reasons; the history of a home may directly relate to a family’s history and many of the forms can be used to research people.
The packet contains a 28 page guide to filling out and using the 21 forms. The forms themselves include the following:
- First information sheet – general house information
- Census of 1891-1901 – British census records [great for genealogists]
- Census of 1851-1881 – British census records [great for genealogists]
- Census of 1841 – British census records [great for genealogists]
- Valuation Office Survey (1910) — [great for genealogists]
- Tithe Apportionments (1840s) — land records [great for genealogists]
- National Farm Survey (1943) — farm data
- Ordnance Survey summary sheet — land records
- Land Registry information sheet — land records [great for genealogists]
- Title deeds
- Manorial records: court rolls — tenant names
- Manorial records: rentals and accounts
- Manorial records: state maps and surveys
- Will record sheet — [great for genealogists]
- Death duty record sheet — similar to estate tax records [great for genealogists]
- Land tax
- Local rate books
- Electoral lists and registers
- Trade and postal directories
- Framework summary sheet
- Ownership summary sheet
The records marked “[great for genealogists]” are likely to be very useful while conduction research. Many of the other forms may also be useful, as many provide the opportunity to collect names, such as past tenants or owners, of specific property. Which ever records one decides to use, there are plenty of great forms here for conducting all types of family research. Anyone living in the U.K. or with British ancestry should find these forms a boon to their family research.
Each sheet is on bright-white, thick stock, easy for making copies and using the copies in your research.
Get your own House History Starter Pack: All you need to become your own house detective, from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: TNA19; Price: $18.57.