Who Lived in My House Before Me?

Have you ever wondered, "Who was the original owner of my house? When was my house built? What is the history of my house?" A new web site plans to help.

ThatsMyOldHouse.com is a web site where such stories can be shared or searched. The site is looking for stories about all houses, whether historic or not. Quoting the web site:

Think of your childhood home...  Did you have unforgettable slumber parties in the basement or maybe you learned to ride your bike on the sidewalk out front? Do you still drive by your old place and say That's My Old House?

What about the house you are in now? Are you starting a family or adding on to the house? Are you restoring it back to its original era? How many members of your family reside there, what is your favorite gathering place in the house and why?

Yes, you have a story to tell and we want to hear it.

The founder of the site, Pamela Ravenwood, former executive director of a historical society, recognizes that people both want to share the information about the home they grew up and, in turn, want others to find such information.

"Every old house has a story to tell," says Ravenwood. "What gives a home such great value is its history, and what I mean by history is not necessarily the age of the building but the stories that come with it. The reason most people like historic buildings isn't just because of its architecture, which can be replicated. It's the knowing that another preceded you, and lifetimes occurred within that home's walls. Our website was designed to collect those stories and memories."

The site is new but already has close to 1600 entries and hundreds of registered users. Many of the homes on the site are houses that have been listed on the National Register, which makes the site a great resource for researchers.

To guide users through the story-telling process of their house memories, there are twelve questions you can answer. Such questions include: what is your family name; what is your fondest memory of your old house; and what kind of work was your family involved with. There is also a place where you can upload historic photos.

"People of all ages are recounting the stories of their childhood, whether that childhood was in the 60s or the 30s," Ravenwood said. "Some are telling the story of the home they are currently in, which is also valuable, as we are all making history in the moment. Many stories are already gone with those who held them. That is why we feel now is the time to start telling your story, whatever story that might be."

In addition to providing a forum for folks to share their memories of their home, there is also a segment called Life Stories. Here people are asked to submit their favorite hometown story. These stories revolve around places.

The site may potentially serve as a genealogy that evolves around the home and hometown. Many visitors are searching out their family connections and are seeking those family roots that stem from a building that still could be standing.

ThatsMyOldHouse.com is a free service. You can learn more at http://thatsmyoldhouse.com.

Comments

[Lori]

I did a search on the address of my husband's father and grandparents that I had found on the 1910 census in New York. I hoped to find information on the local area and perhaps the businesses, schools etc. Imagine my delight to find the actual house was for sale at that very moment. There wasn't a photo so I emailed the realtor and explained my situation. We live in western Canada and would never be going there to take photos. He ever so kindly went to the home and took a picture to post on his site. What are the chances of that?

[Carol C. Cole]

It might be of interest that Terrace Park Ohio has a web site (www.tpsurvey.org) where we have at least some information about every house in Terrace Park (including some homes that are no longer there). We have included information about the families who have lived there. We've even added census informaiton whenever we could attatch it to a specific home. I look forward to having more poeple use this information that we have collected.

[Nicolas Camp]

As Far as you can go back please as i have been informed ny house is 1820's.

[Nic Camp]

258 Warley Hill, Great Warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM133AA. Informed my house is 1820's.

[Scott]

wanting to know some history on my parents old house weird things have happend there was just wondering if anything has happened there.

[Ryan]

I just moved into a house and I can not figure out how to find out how old the house is and who has lived in it. I would also like to find out if anyone has died in the house because there are weird things that happen. If you could help me to find these things out that would be great. Thank you

[lynne reeve]

im trying to find out about who lived at this address since it was built

[David rendell harman]

i would like to know how leved in my house and pictures about the house when was build.

Thanks Nicol

[Kimberly Lofgren]

My husband and I are restoring an old greek revival farmhouse, circa 1856, we have been told many stories from locals, we would like to know if they are true, a psychic told of a soldier's wife who haunts our house, a local told us of a boy who was shot in our yard, playing cowboys and indians with a real gun, we have found many artifacts. We would like to know exacly when our house was built and who has lived in it and if the stories we have heard are true. Can you help

[Loreal]

I want to know the history of 1674 K St. San Bernardino CA 92411

[Natashia]

I just moved into a house and I can not figure out how to find out how old the house is and who has lived in it. I would also like to find out if anyone has died in the house because there are weird things that happen. If you could help me to find these things out that would be great. Thank you

[Rosy]

I want to know histoy of 542 N. Plymouth Ave in Los angeles Ca 90004 . I just moved there are strange things . i wondering if anyone died there. Please let me know. Thank you,

[lori]

trying to find info on my house 223 east bank st albion ny 14411

[isi]

there are really weird things going on in my house and i wanted to know who lived there and if they died or not

[katie redford]

Hi. I am wondering if you can find out any history on 245 Bay Colony Drive in Virginia Beach. This house was built in the 1940's and I am certain has a very interesting history. Would love to know more, please help!!!!

[veronica cabrera]

can you help me get informacion on my house

[K richmond]

Not me historical crime is my concern like whoever broke those windows in billions of homes in the united States a psychopaths I really dont want them back at my house in the USA crimes before me the types of crimes how long ago and are they going to return to the used home that I buy and move into ? This is my concern some sort of pattern will it ever be over and if so when

[K richmond]

Not me historical crime is my concern like whoever broke those windows in billions of homes in the united States a psychopaths I really dont want them back at my house in the USA crimes before me the types of crimes how long ago and are they going to return to the used home that I buy and move into ? This is my concern some sort of pattern will it ever be over and if so when

[K richmond]

An will the fact that we worked for Boeing have something to do with it? How did they know this and whats the problem anyone identify it bothering Boeing and their children and their homes and why>

[kerry chapman]

please could you help me find some information on my house, i have moved to the moat house in smallfields burstow surrey rh6 9rh..
as far as i know it dates back to the 18th century..other than that i have not got any clue to who lived here in past times ,,i thank you for taking the time to read this and hope you can help me .
regards .kerry

[deon]

1019 4th ave south.....i need to know what happend on this property...their is a family here that died here, i just need an idea. this house was build in 1906.

[Renee Gullixson]

My son is the fourth generation in our house that has been in our family since about 1936. I am interested in the original owners names and when the house was originally built.
215 Yale Ave.
Kensington CA
94708