{"id":43437,"date":"2024-06-27T15:53:35","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T20:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/?page_id=43437"},"modified":"2026-03-23T09:51:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T14:51:46","slug":"research-the-history-of-a-house","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/research-the-history-of-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Research the history of a house"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-to-start-your-research\">Where to Start Your Research <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"alignright uwm-c-img--right\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"292\" height=\"488\" src=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/572\/2024\/05\/mkenh_289_full-e1715100786412.jpg\" alt=\"An old, sepia-toned photograph pictures the front porch of a home.\" class=\"wp-image-43147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/572\/2024\/05\/mkenh_289_full-e1715100786412.jpg 292w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/572\/2024\/05\/mkenh_289_full-e1715100786412-180x300.jpg 180w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 292px) 100vw, 292px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 1: If you are starting with the current property information, determine the city or town in which the property is located. This guide uses the City of Milwaukee as the default location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 2: On the relevant assessor&#8217;s website, search the property to find general information on file, city classifications and<br>zoning and the legal description, which you will need later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Assessor&#8217;s Offices: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/assessments.milwaukee.gov\/default.asp\">Milwaukee<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ci.brookfield.wi.us\/210\/Assessor\">Brookfield<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.villageofshorewood.org\/131\/Assessor\">Shorewood<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/host.gcssoftware.com\/StFrancis\/Search.aspx\">St. Francis<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wauwatosa.net\/government\/departments\/assessor\">Wauwatosa<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 3: For historical data not included in the assessor&#8217;s website, you will want to consult the <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/archives\/genealogy-2\/research-aid-property-tax-rolls-and-assessment-lists\/\">tax rolls and assessment lists<\/a> held by the 51ÁÔÆæ Archives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 4: Find building permits relating to occupancy, building and alterations. For the City of Milwaukee, this information is located at the <a href=\"https:\/\/city.milwaukee.gov\/DNS\/permits\">Milwaukee Development Center<\/a>. All properties are searchable under the current address; if the <a href=\"https:\/\/milwaukeehistory.net\/street-name-conversion\/\">street address changed<\/a> you will find permits for the old address filed under the current address. <br><br>Step 5: Trace the history of land ownership through deeds. The 51ÁÔÆæ Archives and the Milwaukee County <a href=\"https:\/\/county.milwaukee.gov\/EN\/Register-of-Deeds\/Real-Estate-Records\">Register of Deeds<\/a> both hold deed collections. The 51ÁÔÆæ Archives holds Milwaukee County Register of Deeds records from <strong>1835-1886<\/strong>. For <strong>post-1886 deeds<\/strong>, the County is the best place to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The County Register of Deeds is by appointment only and you will need the legal property description to make an appointment. When you make an appointment, explain you are looking for deeds dating back to the time of construction. Keep in mind that the date of construction is after the date of land purchase so it might be purchased up to several years before construction started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-other-avenues-of-research\">Other avenues of research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Examine city directories and census records to see who lived at the address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/lib-collections\/sanborn\/\">Sanborn Fire Insurance<\/a> maps to find physical building information for houses built before 1910. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find information about your house and\/or district on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/subjects\/nationalregister\/database-research.htm\">National Register of Historic Places<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Where to Start Your Research Step 1: If you are starting with the current property information, determine the city or town in which the property is located. 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