if these walls could talk
TRANSCRIPT
Kimberly Brown-Harden, Indiana Division, Indiana State Library
If these walls could talk: discovering your house
history…
How to find your home’s history??
If you live in a historic neighborhood, check with the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology or the Historic Landmarks Foundation
Ask neighbors who have lived in your neighborhood for a long time.
Check your local library or historical society if your house was built or owned by a prominent family.
Ask Questions???
Historic districts and neighborhoods in Indianapolis…Chatham-Arch and
Massachusetts AveFletcher PlaceFountain SquareHerron-Morton PlaceIrvington Lockefield Gardens
Lockerbie SquareThe Old NorthsideSt. JosephWholesale DistrictWoodruff Place
Interim Reports
The first place is to begin with city directories or old phone books.
Note: City directories will list the occupants, not necessarily the property owner.
Where do I start??
1957 Haines Directory
City Directory entries for the same address 1964 Haines
Directory: New owner….
Plat Maps…
Sanborn/Baist Maps © 1941….
Key to the Sanborn Maps
Using legal documents…
is a summary of transactions that have affected a piece of property over a given time.
Most home owners do not have easy access to this information….
Abstract…
This is the most common tool people use in researching their home’s history. This will allow you to build the chain of title. Deed records are available at the county recorder’s office.
The Assessor’s Office can tell you who is responsible for paying the tax bill at the property.
Deeds…
The Office of the Recorder was the first constitutional office in county government in Indiana.
Will record anything: military records, out-of-country marriages, etc.
Recorder’s Office…
Indianapolis Water Co. © 1890
Citations for James Allison
Biography and Newspaper Index..
Citations from the Newspaper Index..
Neighborhoods…
State Library’s Clippings File Index..
Cities and Towns
1850 Census Record for Centre Town:
Historic Landmark Foundation of Indiana: http://www.historiclandmarks.org/Pages/default.aspx
Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology: http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/
Indiana State Library: http://www.in.gov/library/
Indiana Historical Society: http://www.indianahistory.org/
Registered Community Organizations (Marion County): http://imaps.indygov.org/RegOrgs/index.asp
Resources to help find your home’s history….
Thank you for coming!