If you have been researching your genealogy for any amount of time, you have likely acquired a nice collection of pedigree charts, old letters, birth & death certificates, marriage licenses, baptism records, draft cards, and any other document that provides important genealogical information. You may also possess old photos of your ancestors and their families. However, you may not have considered documenting the home of your ancestors, and I am here to tell you that you should.
Homes of our ancestors often hold deep sentimental value and memories for the people who once lived there. It could be that there is a home in your family that was built by an ancestor and has remained in the family for generations. Perhaps your grandparents once owned and worked on a farm that no longer exists. Or maybe your great-grandmother grew up a pauper–a term once used to refer to the poor–and lived in a small, run-down shack with her parents and siblings. Whatever the story of your ancestor’s home may be, it is worth documenting and filing away with the rest of your genealogy records.
I recommend interviewing family members about their childhood home, or another home they remember that has significant meaning within the family. Start by interviewing the oldest family members. Ask them about their memories in the house, good and bad. What did the kitchen look like? Was there indoor plumbing or electricity? How many stories was it? What was their bedroom like? Did they have any neighbors? Where was it located? Is it still standing?
It is also a good idea to obtain a photo of the house. Ask around to see if anyone has one, and if they do, ask if you can make a copy of it. Keep the photo with your other records about the house.
Below is a photo of my ancestor’s homestead:
