Researching the History of Your House
Many people are curious about the history of their homes — who built them, who lived there, and how they have changed over time. Whilst Bamford History Group can’t carry out individual house research, we may have information or resources about your house, so please get in touch.
Bamford History Group welcomes contributions about local houses. If you find photographs, deeds, or interesting stories about your house, please share them with us — every detail helps preserve our village’s heritage.
If you’d like to do some research yourself about your house, here is a short guide to help you get started:
Start Close to Home - begin with what you already know:
- Talk to neighbours – they may recall earlier owners, changes, or stories about your property.
- Check your title deeds for dates of ownership or building plots.
- Look at planning records held by the Peak District National Park Authority.
Explore Local and Online Sources - there are plenty of free or inexpensive sources to explore:
- Census records (1841–1921) and electoral registers list occupants by address.
- Tithe maps and apportionments (1830s–1850s) show land use and ownership before modern mapping.
- Old maps, especially those held by the National Library of Scotland.
- Old trade directories. Search at Derbyshire Record Office, Ancestry or FindMyPast. There is an extensive collection online at the University of Leicester – Historical Directories of England & Wales.
- Search for listed buildings at Historic England’s Listed Buildings Register
- Subscription sites such as Ancestry, FindMyPast, and The Genealogist offer searchable records including census records, wills, and maps. Search for membership offers at Ancestry or FindMyPast as subscriptions can be expensive! You can also access Ancestry or FindMyPast free at Derbyshire Libraries or Derbyshire Record Office.
The Derbyshire Record Office in Matlock - the main archive for our area.
- It holds parish records, historic maps and photographs, building plans, rate books, and estate papers and local newspapers. Before visiting, check the online catalogue.
Professional Research Help - if your house is very old or you want a professional report.
- If your house is particularly old or you’d like a full written history, consider hiring a professional researcher through the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) or the Register of Qualified Genealogists.