Research > Guides > House History > Developing a Research Plan

Developing a Research Plan

These books can help you formulate a research plan — they are in-depth guides to researching the history of houses and other neighborhood buildings.

Green, Betsy J.: Discovering the History of Your House and Your Neighborhood

(c2002)

907.2 G795d 2002 (reference copies also)

A practical guide with many creative research tips for aspiring architectural detectives.
Howard, Hugh: How Old is this House?

(1989)

728.028 H849h

This guide focuses on older houses, and shows methods for identifying building materials and construction techniques, ascertaining architectural styles, and searching for legal documents such as deeds.
Howe, Barbara J.: Houses and Homes: Exploring Their History

(c1987)

973 H842

A guide to finding clues about your house's neighborhood, structure, and the people who have lived in it; and then interpreting these clues to help you draw conclusions about your home's history.
Light, Sally: House Histories: A Guide to Tracing the Genealogy of Your Home

(1989)

728.09 L723h (reference copies also)

A step-by-step guide to learning more about your home's past.
Portland Bureau of Planning: Researching Your Historic Property: A User's Guide

(2006)

This brief, eight-page guide (in .pdf format) focuses on techniques for researching historic buildings and neighborhoods in Portland.