How do you know if a place is historic?

This is a guide to the amateur historian in researching the history of individual properties. Individual research is an important first step in identifying these resources for preservation at the local level. The HPO can assist people in the public and private sector who wish to take a proactive role in protecting New Jersey’s resources.

Research methods

Oral history

The term “oral history” simply refers to information obtained from anyone who might know about the house’s early history. Oral history may be more abundant with houses built after 1890 than for those prior to this period.

First steps include determining the current property owner, then contacting them and their neighbors for information on the property. Knowledge of the current property owners is also beneficial when establishing a valid chain of title for the property.

Determine if any of these people or their relatives are still in the area. You may wish to consult the local telephone directory. Reach out through either phone calls or letter/questionnaires. This initial contact can quickly determine whether these individuals can provide helpful data.

Use these responses to make a list of beneficial contacts. Consider asking willing participants for interviews and take detailed notes. If recording an oral history interview — audio and/or video — always ask the interviewee’s consent. It is helpful to approach the interview with a list of relevant questions which can guide the conversation.

Documents

Finding local records

In most cases, more than one public office will hold records related to the property in question. Generally, the more modern or recent the house’s construction, the greater the chance of finding specific information.

Records prior to 1830 tend to be scant, vague, and relate more to the land than to dwellings or “improvements.” It is also possible that no records prior to a certain date still exist due to fire, neglect or other catastrophic events.

Procedures for filing public documents vary from town to town. The Municipal Building Department may be one of your best sources for information pertaining to your house. Records such as building permits can hold a wealth of information but may not always exist for a particular property due to the date of construction. Earlier buildings are less likely to have building permits on record, and any that do exist are likely for later alterations or additions. These can still hold valuable information and should not be dismissed.

Find tax parcel data

In order to search municipal records, you will need your block and lot numbers. You can generally find these on the deed, Building Department maps or within Plat Books.

Often, Municipal Building Department files only record summary information (permit number) on an index card. Use this as a primary working reference for your property.

Researching the detailed information requires retrieving the original permit from the Building Department’s archives. This can be a time-consuming chore that may require special permission. Approach Building Department personnel with polite persistence, as property research is one of many duties they are responsible for overseeing.

What information can building permits provide?

From these records you may be able to obtain the following information:

1. Owner’s name
2. Date of record creation, such as the date that a building permit is issued
3. Architect or builder’s name
4. Cost of any construction, repair, alteration, or addition activities
5. Materiality and type of construction, such as frame or masonry, roofing material, etc.
6. Floor plans, usually associated with the location of any repairs taking place
7. Dates of major alterations
8. Type of alterations and scope of work

Finding deeds and establishing a Chain of Title

Wills

In many cases property often passes not by deed, but by will. When this happens, they do not list new deeds under a particular family name over a long period of time. If this happens, check the listings of wills, under the name of the last known owner. These documents are also filed either at the Courthouse or, as before, the New Jersey State Archives.

When the will is located, check to see who received the title of the property. Next, take this name and check the Grantor-Grantee books and resume the aforementioned process. These wills often contain valuable information about the house and its contents (possibly an inventory of the property).

Historic American Buildings Survey

Directories

Area directories

During the late 1800s and early 1900s many areas had directories which listed people at their home addresses (these were the forerunners of telephone directories). Many of these directories included occupational information. These records can be of immense help in tracing the ownership when official records have been lost or destroyed.

The directories are usually organized by address. In this case, you trace back and find the oldest entry you can (use same process of recording information as was previously described in the deeds section). Some directories were arranged alphabetically by last name. In these cases, you must have names from the deeds or other records in order to know whom to look up.

Only use these source materials to verify deed information. You can find these directories at either your public library or the New Jersey State Archives.

Federal census records

Another type of directory useful in the research of historical information (pertaining to an individual and/or his property) is the Federal Census for New Jersey, although confidential for this century, which is available for the period of 1830 to 1895. There are also New Jersey State Census records for the period of 1855 to 1915, which will provide general information about an individual and his property.

You can find all information, except New Jersey Census records for 1905 and 1915, at the New Jersey State Archives.

Request Historical Census Records

Tax ratables

Like the directories, tax ratables give you an insight into the property and possessions of the individual being researched. Tax ratables list all taxable items owned by an individual. The properties are usually listed alphabetically by township. (There may be a county list, but those which list items in each township are of more help).

These documents tend to be vague and should therefore only be used to support other documentation. State coverage roughly includes 1773 to 1822 and is incomplete.

Maps

There are many types of maps which may prove to be valuable in your research. The most common and helpful are those contained in the Plat Books (volumes of large-scale maps showing plots and buildings on each block) which are available for most large communities dating back into the 19th century.

These maps were originally drawn up for insurance purposes but serve as valuable research guides. By comparing county and city atlases from year to year it may be possible to see how a community developed, when water and sewer lines appeared, etc. The Rutgers University Library in New Brunswick houses the most complete collection of these atlases. You can also find these maps or atlases at your local library, county courthouse and, depending on the time period, the New Jersey State Archives.

Books and newspapers

Historic Preservation Office collections

One of the most frequently overlooked sources of information is the Historic Preservation Office in Trenton.

The Historic Preservation Office is the repository for a multitude of Historic Resource Surveys. These surveys describe, analyze, map and photograph properties. Each survey generally includes a narrative introduction which discusses the historic and architectural development of the area (municipality, county, region) surveyed.

In addition to the survey information, the Historic Preservation Office is the repository for both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. The registers include designated districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture.

All records are accessible to the public. However, HPO requests that all users contact the office in advance to ensure that staff will be available to assist them in locating the data.

Inferred data

Physical evidence

Physical evidence can be valuable in houses built prior to 1830. Builders hand-crafted most materials using evolving techniques. After this date, there are not enough variations in materials and methods to be of much help.

Common physical evidence

Using the following types of material evidence, a trained professional can make educated assumptions about the development of a property.

Nails

All nails prior to 1790 were hand-wrought. After this period a series of technological developments made possible the manufacture of nails by machine. The period between 1790 and 1840 witnessed many changes in the types of nails. Wire nails became prevalent in 1900. Therefore, a good sampling of nails may possibly set the construction date of the house within a given period, either prior to 1790, 1790 to 1900 or after 1900.

Screws

Up until 1846, screws without points were in wide use. Screws with points were the product of machinery that gained general acceptance after 1846. Therefore, screws without points would indicate the house was built prior to 1846.

Latches and hinges

Both latches and hinges may reveal clues as to the date of construction. In many cases, however, owners replaced the original hardware. Focus on the secondary rooms on the second floor and/or attic when checking this type of material. Owners are more likely to modernize the main rooms on the first floor.

Door molding

Original door moldings can also give valuable dating clues. Until approximately 1835, all moldings were cut as an integral part of the door with hand tools. After 1835, machine-cut strip moldings became available. Builders widely adopted these cheap, ready-made materials. Not all doors after 1835 were made in this manner, however. Old customs prevailed for many years in some areas. Only an expert would be able to properly date these items.