House Histories

A typical house history report created by Fieldstone Historic Research contains copies of the historical deeds to your home as well as census records of the people who lived there. It can potentially include many other historical documents as well. You can request a complete history of your property, a partial history that covers a certain time period or just have deeds retrieved from the Registry of Deeds.

A Complete House History

A complete house history provides a unique architectural and genealogical history of your property from the time that it was built. The report contains information from deeds, census records, tax records, historical maps, local histories and many other sources. Historical newspapers are also researched to learn as much as possible about the previous residents. This option provides the most comprehensive report on the history of your house. You will receive a quote for the project based on the age of your house. Half of the project fee is due up front and the other half upon completion.

A Partial House History

Did you have ancestors who lived in a particular home for a generation or two? You can have a partial house history completed based on the years that your ancestors lived there. The scope of the project will include deeds and census records. The rest of the project will be determined through discussion of your specific questions and research needs. Results and analysis of your questions will be provided in the report along with copies of the original documents. The partial house history is charged at an hourly rate of $30 with a two hour minimum. Photocopying and postage expenses are extra.

Deed Retrieval

Simply need the historical deeds to your current home or a family ancestral home? Fieldstone Historic Research can retrieve the deeds for you. No analysis will be provided but you will receive a chronological reference chart showing all the deed transfers. Deed retrieval is charged at an hourly rate of $30. Photocopying and postage expenses are extra.

Surname or Family Search

Did your ancestors live in the same county for a long time? Have Fieldstone Historic Research conduct an index search to find potential land holdings. Further research can be conducted based on the outcome of the results. Alternatively, check the index for multiple holdings by the same person and request to have those deeds retrieved.

Real Estate Agents and Home Sellers

In a difficult real estate market what better way to make your house stand out than with a house history! Provide a way for potential home buyers to quickly bond emotionally with your house and to help them see themselves as part of that history. Differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack by providing home buyers with an historical record to accompany the purchase of their new home.

Contact Fieldstone Historic Research to schedule a free seminar for Real Estate Professionals entitled "House Histories: What they are and how to use them". This 30 minutes talk will discuss how to use house histories in real estate. A Q&A session follows the talk.

Current or Recent Projects

• 133 year old farmhouse in Norfolk, Norfolk County, Mass.
• Partial research, 1880s – 1980s of ancestral home in Millis, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
• Complete house history for a 19h century Greek Revival in Medway, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
• Deed and Census research for a 100+ year old colonial in Malden, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
• Complete house history for an 18th century home in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
• Deed and Census research for a 100+ year old home in Norwood, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
• Town-wide, multi-property search for an individual family with many business holdings in the late 18th century, Wrentham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts

House histories are available for Eastern Massachusetts and Hartford County, Connecticut.

For more information on house histories please contact the Fieldstone Historic Research staff at request@FieldstoneHistoricResearch.com