Making History
A Project Page for Kids
Become a House Detective
Do you live in an old house? Did you ever wonder who might have lived there before you? Is there an old house in your neighborhood that gives you a feeling that something happened there that must have been really interesting? If walls could talk, they could tell you some very interesting things about the house you live in and those in your neighborhood. Here are some tips to learn more:
Begin by asking your parents and neighbors if they have information about the house. Ask them if they have an abstract of the house your are interested in researching. An abstract is a document that lists all the people who have owned the property the house is sitting upon. If they have this document, a lot of your work is done. They might also have a deed to the house. A deed is a document they receive from the past owner when they fully pay for the house.
Visit the Local History Room at Albion District Library and look at the records there that have information about your house and others in your neighborhood. Some of the records you will find at the Local History Room are:
Maps and Atlases
City Directories
Obituaries
Family Records
Subject Records
Tax Records
Census Records
Photographs
Newspapers
These are very special documents. Sometimes the document you see at the Local History Room is the only one like it in the whole world. You might be asked to wear gloves before touching it.
Here are some things about the Local History Room that will help you get started:
The Local History Room is upstairs in Albion District Library. Our hours are Tuesday 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Sundays 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Don't be shy. There are people who can help you. We love to do house histories at the Local History Room. We can also give you hints about other places to look for information about your house.
Sign the register book when you arrive and ask for the Public Historian to help you. Please do not bring food. Bring a pencil and paper to take notes. This is a very special research room, so you will be expected to speak softly. The books and documents in the Local History Room cannot be checked out. You will need to read everything there or make a copy to take home.
If you love to read, here are some books you might want to check out elsewhere:
Rhema, Dan. One Tiny Twig. Mesquite Tree Press, 2003. A book for children about solving family history puzzles.
Rice, Chris and Melanie. How Children Lived: a first book of history. London: Darling Kindersley, 1995. Ages 4-12.
Shelby, Ann. Homeplace. Orchard Books, 2000. Ages: 4-8. Story about a home inhabited by six generations of a family.
Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House Books. All Ages. A classic series that follows the pioneering Wilder family from log cabin and sod houses to village dwellings in the 19th century. (Did you know that Laura Ingalls Wilder's family is related to a Wilder family that lived many years in Albion?
If you don't find these books in our Library, speak to the librarian in the Children's Room about ordering them for you. The Children's room staff can help you find other books on this subject also.
If you love to search the internet, here are some neat web sites that will help you with your house search. Ask an adult to help you download the free software required for some of these programs.
Visit a Two Hundred Year Old Historical House
Make a Survey of Your Back Yard
Return to Albion District Library