It’s one of those things I’ve always wanted to do but never got around to. I got goosebumps when we found old letters from the war in our Bed Stuy house. And I was equally excited when we found crack vials from the 80’s. It’s all part of the history!
If you’re not lucky enough to have found time capsules in your walls, there are some ways to figure out who was there before you.
Talk to the previous owners, tenants and neighbors. Local shopkeepers could be a good source if they’ve been there awhile. The guy at my local hardware store knows everyone and everything.
Public records include deeds, taxes and building permits. You’ll probably need to go to the County Clerk’s office and hit the library and historical society as well. Property Shark and ACRIS will get you started, but you won’t get very far.
The links below go into much more detail than I ever could. If all else fails, you can always hire a house genealogist.
Wiki How
Hunt Down Your Home’s History: CNN
Old House History
House Genealogy
Cyndi’s List
