Which House History Research Package Is Right for Your Home?

If you’ve been wondering how to find out the history of your house, you’re not alone — and you’re in the right place.

At Oak & Willow, every house history research project begins with a Pre-Research Check. This first step identifies what records survive for your property and helps recommend the most suitable package for its story. From there, there are three different levels of house history to choose from: the Snapshot, the Heritage Summary, or the Full Story.

You can purchase a ready-to-buy package at the same time as your Pre-Research Check. If there aren’t enough surviving records to fulfil your chosen package, a lower tier product will be produced and you will be refunded the difference, or you will receive a full refund (minus the cost of the Pre-Research Check).

Each package involves detailed research into your home’s past — uncovering the people, records, and events that shaped it. The difference lies in the depth of research and how the findings are presented. From a concise A4 wall art print to an in-depth A5 booklet, you’ll receive a keepsake that brings your home’s history to life.

Not sure where to start? Take the short quiz to get a recommendation on which house history package might be right for you.

Step One: The Pre-Research Check

Before any house history research begins, a Pre-Research Check is carried out. You’ll receive a summary of what records associated with your property’s history appear to have survived, along with insights into what your house history narrative would focus on. If you haven’t already purchased a full package, you’ll also receive a recommendation on which option suits your property best.

The Snapshot House History

Best for: Homes with only a limited trail of records; a thoughtful gift or accessible starting point; anyone curious about the essentials of who lived there and when.

The Snapshot is a concise introduction to your home’s past, presented as a beautifully designed A4 wall art print. It brings together the most significant surviving records — usually census entries, trade directories, and key parish registers — to create a short overview of your property’s history and its former residents.

This package is ideal for homes where less material survives, but you’d still like a keepsake that captures the highlights of their history.

The Heritage Summary House History

Best for: Properties with a stronger paper trail; homeowners who want more depth than a Snapshot without going to the full depth of the Full Story.

The Heritage Summary builds on the Snapshot with wider house history research, presented as an A3 wall art print. Alongside census returns and directories, this package draws on parish records, newspaper archives, and local history sources to trace the lives of several former residents and place your home in its broader historical context.

The Full Story House History

Best for: Homes with a rich and varied historical record; those who want to uncover more depth in the stories of past residents; a keepsake that preserves both highlights and detailed narratives.

The Full Story is the most comprehensive UK house history research package available, with the widest coverage across different record collections and presentation as an A5 booklet. Research expands well beyond the basics, exploring records such as probate and wills, military service, criminal registers, institutional records, trade directories, detailed land ownership files, and more.

This deeper scope follows the threads of individual lives, uncovering stories of work, family, hardship, and resilience, and weaving them into a wider social and historical context.

With the Full Story, you can also choose to include an A3 wall art print as part of your order — giving you both a long-form narrative booklet and a summary piece for displaying on the wall.

Bespoke Research Commissions

Not every house history fits neatly into a package — and that’s fine. If you have a specific question you want answered, want to include archival research beyond what’s available online, or want to build your own research scope, a bespoke commission may be a better fit.

Bespoke commissions are available for those who:

• have a particular aspect of their home’s history they want explored in depth
• want research that extends into physical archives, local record offices, or specialist collections
• are looking to direct the scope themselves, rather than working to a set format

If you’re interested in a bespoke commission, get in touch to discuss what you have in mind.

What If More (or Less) Is Found?

Sometimes house history research uncovers far more than expected — or considerably less. If your chosen package turns out not to be the right fit for what the records can support, the most suitable alternative will be recommended and the difference refunded. The goal is always to create something that feels genuinely worthwhile.

Still Not Sure Which House History Is Right for You?

You can compare the features of each package, or complete a short quiz for a personalised recommendation on which option might suit your home best. If you’re still uncertain, start with just the Pre-Research Check. For £30, you’ll receive an overview of what historical records survive for your property and a recommendation on which package is the best fit.

Every Home Has a Story — Let’s Tell Yours

Whether you choose a Snapshot, a Heritage Summary, a Full Story, or a bespoke commission, each project is personally researched and written. These are not auto-generated timelines or lists of names. They’re carefully curated stories that preserve the history of your home and the lives lived within its walls.