Tracing Your Home’s History

Authorities on the subject of compiling house histories cite these two books most frequently. Light’s House Histories is a highly readable, encyclopedic handbook on the topic.

First printed in 1989 and still used as a standard text in university courses on the topic, House Histories covers where to go and what to look for, as well as providing plenty of detail on architectural characteristics, writing up your findings, and even running a building genealogy business of your own.

Green’s Discovering the History of Your House and Your Neighborhood is more of an overview, filled with anecdotes, photos, and helpful tips based on her years of researching house histories. Perhaps because of her Chicago origins, Green’s book is particularly helpful for 19th- and 20th-Century houses and neighborhoods.

Many state historical societies and preservation agencies have guidebooks and pertinent histories available for people interested in researching building genealogy.