Enrollment options
Course image Research: House and Farm Histories
Intermediate Professional Development and Business Skills
Course Summary:
Optional Print Course Material: Research: House and Farm Histories
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
Conducting research on property can be as rewarding as conducting
research on ancestors. The goal of this course is to teach the
student to understand the various documents and research
necessary to develop and present a house and/or farm history.
Throughout this course, the student will build their
understanding of house and farm related documents from
established text and assignments that will require the student to
practice their skills.
Course Length: 7 weeks
Contact Hours: 18
Grading Scale: 70% Tests/30% Assignments
Course Length: 7 weeks
Course Content
MODULE 1
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION: HOUSE RESEARCH
Why Conduct House History Research?
Architectural Glossary
Architectural Styles of Houses
Suggested Reading and Resources
Plan Books & Catalogs
MODULE 2
MAIL ORDER HOMES & HOUSE KIT COMPANIES
Mail Order Homes
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Aladdin Company
Pacific Homes
Gordon-Van Tine Co.
Montgomery Ward
Lewis Manufacturing Company - Liberty Homes
International Mill & Timber Co. - Sterling Homes
Ray H. Bennett Lumber Company
Chicago House Wrecking Co. - Harris Brothers
E. F. Hodgson Company
Strandlunds Lustron Company - Lustron Homes
Additional House Kit Companies
Suggested Reading and Resources
MODULE 3
MAPPING IT OUT
The Physical Address
Maps
Interim Report
Google Earth
Google Maps
Historypin
WhatWasThere
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
HistoryGeo.com
Suggested Reading and Resources
MODULE 4
THE PAPER TRAIL: LAND RECORDS
Introduction
Legal Property Description
Previous Research
Land Glossary
Visit to the Land Office
Grantor and Grantee
Transfer Books
Mortgages
Court Records
Mechanic’s Lien
Tax Assessment
Building Permit
Blueprint
Suggested Reading and Resources
MODULE 5
THE PEOPLE TRAIL: PREVIOUS OWNERS & OCCUPANTS
Previous Owners and Occupants
Photographs and Drawings
Biographical and Historical
Suggested Reading and Resources
MODULE 6
DIGGING UP DIRT: FARM RESEARCH
Land Records
Homestead Act of 1862
Census
Agricultural Schedules
Centennial Farms
Barns and Outbuildings
Suggested Reading and Resources
MODULE 1
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION: HOUSE RESEARCH
Why Conduct House History Research?
Architectural Glossary
Architectural Styles of Houses
Suggested Reading and Resources
Plan Books & Catalogs
MODULE 2
MAIL ORDER HOMES & HOUSE KIT COMPANIES
Mail Order Homes
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Aladdin Company
Pacific Homes
Gordon-Van Tine Co.
Montgomery Ward
Lewis Manufacturing Company - Liberty Homes
International Mill & Timber Co. - Sterling Homes
Ray H. Bennett Lumber Company
Chicago House Wrecking Co. - Harris Brothers
E. F. Hodgson Company
Strandlunds Lustron Company - Lustron Homes
Additional House Kit Companies
Suggested Reading and Resources
MODULE 3
MAPPING IT OUT
The Physical Address
Maps
Interim Report
Google Earth
Google Maps
Historypin
WhatWasThere
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
HistoryGeo.com
Suggested Reading and Resources
MODULE 4
THE PAPER TRAIL: LAND RECORDS
Introduction
Legal Property Description
Previous Research
Land Glossary
Visit to the Land Office
Grantor and Grantee
Transfer Books
Mortgages
Court Records
Mechanic’s Lien
Tax Assessment
Building Permit
Blueprint
Suggested Reading and Resources
MODULE 5
THE PEOPLE TRAIL: PREVIOUS OWNERS & OCCUPANTS
Previous Owners and Occupants
Photographs and Drawings
Biographical and Historical
Suggested Reading and Resources
MODULE 6
DIGGING UP DIRT: FARM RESEARCH
Land Records
Homestead Act of 1862
Census
Agricultural Schedules
Centennial Farms
Barns and Outbuildings
Suggested Reading and Resources