I’m passionate about researching and preserving old homes that belonged to regular people. These are the houses we pass by on our daily drives, the places where ordinary lives unfolded minute by minute, year by year. Often, the most relatable and interesting histories come from these familiar dwellings. The home of a recent client—featured in the blog below—is a perfect example. -Mark Belloni Research Consulting Tucked near the bottom of page 11 in the April 4, 1929, issue o

Whether you're researching a house, a community, a person, or an entire family, historic newspapers are an invaluable resource. Every...

Sanborn maps are incredibly valuable sources available to anyone researching historic homes. First printed in the 1860s and continuing well into the 20th century, the primary purpose of these maps was to help fire insurance companies assess risk in urban areas. No longer used for their original purpose, Sanborn maps today serve as unique historical records, offering details pertaining to property boundaries, building footprints, window and door layouts, construction materials

Tax records , deeds, maps , and photographs are all sources readily available to house historians . Sometimes, however, historians are fortunate to find sources that are both unusual and incredibly valuable. One such source is part of the collection at the Hendricks County Historical Museum: a watercolor painting titled A Quiet Village . Allegedly painted by Reverend William E. Hinshaw around 1895, the painting depicts the small village of Belleville, Indiana. Watercolor pain

When researching house and family histories , one of my favorite things to do is discover the local placenames that were historically synchronous with the subjects of my research. Placenames often reveal hidden stories, forgotten landmarks , and deep connections to the people who shaped a community. They add a layer of depth that traditional historical sources sometimes lack. Hopkins Ford in Brown Township, Hendricks County, is one such placename. In the not-so-distant past,

Tax records are one of my favorite sources to use when researching historic homes.