The biggest hurdle is learning the names of the former residents. We're extremely lucky in Cambridge to have had a project undertaken by an assistant librarian at the Harvard School of Design to document every building in Cambridge. It's not complete but it does list some key data points which can be helpful.
So let's take a look at maps from Cambridge and see what else they may tell us.

These maps seem fairly available on the internet, for urban areas anyway. Try doing a google search for your town's/city's name and "antique" or "historical maps." All of the maps in this post, I found on the internet. If you can't find anything, I'm sure you could make a call to or an appointment with your local Historical Society/Commission. I have found the people at my local historical commission thrilled to help. I'm sure you can also get the information from your Registry of Deeds but that seems a little more daunting to me.
Here's another map of my house from 1894 (just above the red line) showing the house still owned by the Watson family. The Watsons are well known in my neck of the woods. I think it's doubtful the Watson family, who would have been quite wealthy, would have lived in my house. It was very much a working class neighborhood. So it's also important to remember when doing this research that the property owner may not be the same as the resident of the property.
It's interesting to note that this map contradicts the Harvard data which showed the property being sold by George Averill to Jennie T. Ray in 1892. Sometimes this process is like putting together a puzzle that someone's thrown a few extra pieces into. Sometimes you just have to collect and lay out all of the peices and see what you have before the puzzle will go together. Particularly when you start to look at census records, names can be mispelled and sometimes just incorrect.
This 1903 map shows Jennie Ray was the owner of the property. This makes sense if she bought it in 1892. It also appears that the property has been divided into two smaller lots. The previous map showed the lot was 3175 square feet and now Jennie Ray owns 2200 square feet and another owner right behind her has 1000 square feet. Did she divide the property?
In 1916, Jennie T. Ray still owns the property. This woman interests me for some reason. I even like her name.
And finally in 1930, we still see Jennie T. Ray owning the property. I know the family that I bought the house from purchased it in 1940. So it seems the home has transferred hands very few times over its 167 years.
It's interesting to note that this map contradicts the Harvard data which showed the property being sold by George Averill to Jennie T. Ray in 1892. Sometimes this process is like putting together a puzzle that someone's thrown a few extra pieces into. Sometimes you just have to collect and lay out all of the peices and see what you have before the puzzle will go together. Particularly when you start to look at census records, names can be mispelled and sometimes just incorrect.

So these maps provide a few names we can research to (try to) learn a little more about the people that lived here. Putnam Barnes, the Watsons and Jennie T. Ray. Next time we'll see what we can find about these people.
Can you find any maps that show who owned your old house?
Can you find any maps that show who owned your old house?
Hi! I am so enthralled with this post - it was incredibly interesting to read. I am amazed that you found all this information online and I didn't realize that your house was that old. It also continuously amazes me that there are still records saved from so long ago-like with your ancestry search and back to the Mayflower. That's astounding to me.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be great art for your home to frame some of these documents and maps. I am definately more determined than ever to research my home more, especially if I can find information on the gentlemen that died in my home.
You continue to impress me with all your homework! :)
Sarah
I'm with Sarah, I can't believe you found all that on the internet! My husband spent days in the registry office searching out our place. Good work and I love those old maps!
ReplyDeletehi steve,
ReplyDeletefantastic post on ye old urban cottage!
i love learning about the history of these old places. it fascinates me to no end. i've been contemplating a post on our property b/c it's so darn interesting. this post inspires me to now more than ever.
great job storytelling too.
~janet
Ok, I'm having so much fun exploring your blog! Excellent research on your house. I agree maps can be suhistorical sources on historic properties. Have you tried looking at old Sanborn Insurance maps yet? Many towns had volumes of these and they contain a lot of good information about each property that is keyed to a legend. Some are even color-coded to represent building materials. You should be able to find them at your local library, archives or other repository. Have fun digging for more history!
ReplyDelete