An insight into sources…
It has been a while since I posted something and thought I would use the opportunity to give a little insight into the way I research houses. My latest project has me researching a former police house in Dorset and while the complete history is still being written, I’d thought I’d show you a few of the sources I refer to.
1881 census - The National Archives
Census records are one of the best sources for the 19th century, they give details of all those living in the house at the time the census was taken. The first national census was taken in 1801, however, it is only from 1841 that they began to note the names of occupants of the house. This is a page from the 1881 census and the first listing is for the Police Officer, Stephen Stillman, along with his four children – but it is worth noting that his wife was not at home when the census was taken.
Stephen Stillman and family
Photographs are very rare in most cases, but I fortunately discovered a photograph of the Stillman family in a history on the Dorset Constabulary. It is amazing how this brings a different insight when imagining the family living in the house.
1910 Valuation map - The National Archives
Maps are an excellent source for house histories. This is the map that corresponds with the 1910 Inland Revenue valuation survey and although difficult to read here, it clearly labels the house and a corresponding field book gives details of the owner, occupier, a valuation and also a description of the property.
There are many other sources to use when researching the history of a house, but this is a small insight into some of what I do…and also, I was desperate to show everyone the photo of Stephen Stillman and his family!
A very insightful post about the interdisciplinary nature of your research methodology!
Regarding the Stillman family: you point out that the archive documents mention four children and in the photograph are only three, together with the parents, in front of what looks like a cross or funerary monument… in very pious postures (uncovered head for the man, while the rest of the family have their hands respectfully crossed)…perhaps the fourth child is in the grave marked by that monument.
Hi there
Thanks for your comment. It is certainly a good surmise that that might the be the cause, but it’s my fault for not adding a little more detail (although I don’t have much). The fourth child was the eldest son and from my research it appears he has moved on away from his parents. The little information I have from the picture credit states that the family are standing around ‘Uncle George’s grave’, although I don’t know any more than that.
Thanks again for the comment!
Melanie
[...] A short time ago, I posted a blog with hints and tips on reserching the history of houses ’Insight into Sources’ I had such a lot of feedback on my own blog, as well as from readers of my Country Life blog that I [...]