Many of our members live in interesting twentieth century houses and the Society also gets many requests from people wanting to find out more about the history of their homes, whether they be designed by well known architects or are less famous dwellings.

Information relating to houses and flats designed by well known architects can often be found in the architectural press of the day. The best collection of magazines is at the RIBA British Architecture Library, but this costs £10 to visit, £6 after 5pm on Tuesdays and Saturday mornings, (concessions are available for students, disabled, senior citizens and unemployed). It is free for members and student members of the RIBA. For more details about visiting click here. There is an index on the web for publications after 1984, at www.architecture.com, but for those seeking the years 1920-1972 the best source is the hand-written ‘grey books’ index in the library itself.

But most of us live in less famous dwellings. The best source then is the local authority, which will have drainage records from the turn of the century or earlier. These records will consist of a block plan and probably detailed drawings too, which will be dated, and there is likely to be the name of an architect or building and some correspondence. Every local authority has a different set-up; some survive better than others, some have donated their drawings to their local history library, others have put everything on microfiche, some will only allow owners and/or occupiers to look at the records. If you are telephoning, ‘drains’ and ‘building control’ are the key words; actual planning records begin only after the Second World War so are helpful only for post-war buildings. If you want to determine precisely when work actually began on your building, District Surveyor’s records are most useful. Additionally, in London you can try the London Metropolitan Archives to see if there is an application under the Building Acts – usually for very large buildings, or those of unusual construction of which project into the street.

In some was local authority built dwellings are the most difficult of the lot. A local history library is likely to have information on the scheme, such as press cuttings, photographs and perhaps drawings. Then there are Council Minutes and Housing Committee papers from the time, and drawings, either held by the Council, its successors or by a Record Office.

Every borough is different, and there are no hard and fast rules. Basically, three is more information in London and the bigger cities than there is in the countryside, where records may not go back before 1945. Much depends on the determination of the House Detective, and often a lucky break. The best place to start is often your local studies librarian. Don’t forget too, that if you are looking to see what a detail once looked like that has long disappeared from your home, check out the neighbours as it may survive down the street.

Books

Tracing the History of Your House Nick Barrett, Public Record Office, £12.99. How to use all sources, from the land registry to electoral lists.

Art Deco Interiors, Decoration and Design Classics of the 1920s and 1930s Patricia Bayer, Thames & Hudson, £18.95. Inspiration for recreating interiors.

Websites

www.salvo.co.uk
www.buildingconservation.com