Ipswich City CouncilHeritage BuildingsHistory of your HomeIf you wish to restore and furnish your house in a sympathetic manner, it is useful to know its date of construction. It is also interesting to learn the names, occupations and history of its earlier owners or occupants. This information can sometimes be useful in understanding any unusual aspects of the home. Dating from the House's General AppearanceIt is usually possible to make a good estimate of the house's date of construction from its appearance. Details such as type of window, shape of glazing bars or form of the front verandah can help date the house. However there are limitations with this method. An original verandah might have been rebuilt or original windows might have been replaced. A careful inspection will usually detect these alterations and indicate the original detail.
Another limitation is that house styles did not change suddenly and there was usually a period when styles overlapped. Some people were quick to adopt new styles while others continued to build in the older style. Ask the NeighboursAn obvious but sometimes underestimated source of information is the reminiscences of local people. Ask the people from whom you bought your house, then talk with your neighbours, particularly older people who might have lived in the area for a long time. They might be able to give you the names and current addresses of early occupants or their descendants. Former owners might have photographs that show the original form of the house or garden. Don't forget to ask to see any photographs of the house - a photo of the pet dog might show the original front stairs or the pattern of the iron lace on the front verandah. ‘Facts' and dates gleaned by talking with people should be treated with caution, as memories are sometimes unreliable. However, the information can be a good starting point for documentary research.
If former owners had an unusual name, it is worth checking current telephone directories to try to locate descendants. Your RPDIn researching your house, you will need to know your Real Property Description (RPD). This is on your rates notice in a form such as L12 RP1234 Par Ipswich. This means Lot 12 on Registered Plan No. 1234, Parish of Ipswich. If you want to search Council Rate Books held at Queensland State Archives you will need to convert this to the older form Lot 12 of Section 34, Parish of Ipswich. This can be obtained from maps which show section and lot numbers but if there have been subdivisions, you will have to be careful.
A better method is to check your Certificate of Title. Certificate of TitleYour Certificate of Title records valuable information. If you have recently purchased your house, your solicitor or your financial institution will probably have given you a copy. The Certificate of Title records the names of former owners of the land and gives information about mortgages, easements and subdivisions. It can also record family history, such as transfer of ownership following a death. Note that it gives the history of the land and does not necessarily tell you when the house was built on the land. Land first purchased in 1852 might have remained vacant until the 1980s. However, if land was purchased in say 1887 and a mortgage was taken out in 1888, it is likely that a house was built in 1888. This should be taken as a theory and should then be checked by some of the other methods discussed on this page.
Some Certificates of Title have been reissued and will contain only relatively recent information, not the historic information you need. To obtain this earlier information it is possible to carry out a full title search yourself through the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (Titles Office). The Ipswich Office is on the 4th floor of the Hayden Centre, corner of South and East Streets. Ipswich LibraryThe Ipswich Library (link) has a number of resources that can help your research. These are held in the Viva Cribb Local History Resource Room and include:
The Queensland Times on Microfilm
If you have dates for the construction of your home, the dates of subsequent sales, the names of former owners or the dates of marriages and deaths of former owners, you can consult early copies of the Ipswich newspaper ‘ The Queensland Times'. These are on microfilm and date back to 1864. Genealogical SocietyThe Ipswich Genealogical Society has been conducting family history research since 1977. They do this by using their vast collection of research records including a lending library, a reference library, microfiche and microfilm, and computer records. Research fees apply. Address: 2nd Floor, Bremer Institute of TAFE, corner Limestone and Ellenborough Streets, Ipswich. Phone (07) 3201 8570. Ipswich Historical SocietyThe Ipswich Historical Society Inc. has a local heritage centre which may be used by the public. The centre is located at ‘Cooneana' 1041 Redbank Plains Road, New Chum and is open Thursday to Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Search charges may apply. Phone (07) 3282 0358.
The centre has a range of resources including a photographic collection, a library and some maps. Ipswich City Council Records
Ipswich City Council sewerage maps give outlines of houses, sheds etc. and can be inspected by application to the Ipswich City Council. Council's Health & Environmental Protection Department holds Ipswich Cemetery records. Queensland State ArchivesQueensland State Archives (link)(QSA) is located at 435 Compton Road, Runcorn. QSA hold a number of Council records which are useful in dating houses and other buildings. These include:
Last Updated 27 May 2008 |
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