DATING HOUSES

Dating a house can be achieved visually and with documentation, the former giving only an approximate time-frame but quickly, the latter being more time-consuming but potentially more accurate. In most cases it will only be through a combination of a number of datable features and a selection of facts from various documents that the date of construction will be found. This task is much easier for inter-war houses as fashionable features can pin-point houses to the 1920s and 1930s with more accuracy and there are a greater number of records and maps available. You may also have access to the deeds, which should confirm when a house was first sold. If you do not, then the following sources may help.

Datestones: You may be fortunate to simply have a date emblazoned on the exterior of your house. These are usually in the form of a plaque or on details like a rainwater trap under the guttering, and although more common on late 19th century houses they could still be found in the early 20th century. Be wary though, as they may date an external makeover or an extension to an older house.

Visual Dating: The photographs and drawings throughout this book, but especially the details at the end of Chapter 4, may help to identify whether the house in question dates from this period. Look at the pitch of the roof, the style of original windows and doors (including neighbouring properties), the bonding of the brick, the position of the chimney, the rear of the building and the form of details like porches, arches and ornamentation. Although with older houses caution needs to be taken as fashions reached areas of the country at different times, improved travel, communications and the widespread availability of architectural magazines in this period meant new ideas could spread to distant parts in only a matter of a few years.

Documentary Evidence: There are numerous sources listed below, most of which are available from your local or county library or the internet.

Maps: Ordnance Survey large-scale maps were first published from 1888–93 and have been revised ever since and most libraries should hold copies of urban areas from the first half of the 20th century. Small-scale (1 inch to a mile) first editions from 1805–73 (republished by David and Charles), could be inaccurate. Second series/editions were better, begun in the 1840s and complete by the end of the century. By the 1920s and 1930s there was a wider range of small-scale maps available and although they may not be of sufficient detail to identify individual houses, they can help establish when an estate may have been built and just as importantly what stood on the ground before. Be careful when interpreting the date on the map as there were revisions to add new railways and roads and it is important to check any accompanying notes for the sheet you are using. Also, they are only telling you that it was there by the time of the survey or revision and not when it was actually built.

Trade directories: Listings of local businesses can be useful in dating when a street or row was in existence.

Victoria County Histories: A detailed series of books that after a century are still only half complete! If your town or village is covered it is packed with useful information and often tells you when a road was laid out. Also look for the Buildings of England series by Nikolaus Pevsner, which covers each county and includes dating evidence on notable buildings in your town and village.

Other Sources: It might be possible to find out who was the landlord, (often a company, university or landed estate) and their records, estate papers and building accounts can be useful. The Census from 1841 to 1901 can be viewed at The National Archives (and is also available via the internet). Also try tithe surveys (late 1830s) in county record offices, plans for new roads and railways, fire insurance records, and local newspapers.