How to Trace the Genealogy of a House Using Archives?

Looking to trace the history of a house? Many archives can help you, we tell you everything!

©️Pixabay - Lecreusois

Real estate genealogy is not always easy. Identifying past owners, the original date of a house, and its history can be very interesting, though. In this article, we present a list of some useful archives to start tracing the genealogy of a house. 

Cadastre - Land Records

The cadastre groups administrative plans that identify real estate properties in French municipalities.

• The cadastral map : available for free online consultation here, the cadastral map allows you, based on an exact address, to find the section and parcel number of a house. This 'unique identifier' will be useful for tracking the parcel over time. Take note of neighboring parcel numbers; you might make interesting discoveries in the archives later. 

• The State of Sections Register : this register is available at the Departmental Archives. It presents sections in alphabetical order, then plots in increasing numerical order. You will find the following information: owner's name and first name, plot number, location, soil type, and area. 

• The Land Ownership Matrix : available at the Departmental Archives. Start by referring to the alphabetical table of owners at the end of the volume. You will find the folio number (page number) corresponding to the owner's account. This folio lists all the properties of the same owner and provides the following information: owner's address (sometimes with names of former owners), year of transfer, section and plot number, location, soil type, area, as well as the origin or destination of plots with folio numbers from the matrix useful for tracking the succession of different owners. You can then consult the Land Ownership Matrix for subsequent years. 

Property Deeds - Notarial Archives

• Property Deed : this document confirms ownership. An original copy is kept for 100 years in the notary's office before being transferred to the Departmental Archives. The most useful information in this document for tracing a house's genealogy is the property's origin (when mentioned) and its description, which helps track the house's condition over time. 

• Searching for a Property Deed at the Departmental Archives : available under sub-series 3E at the AD, you need to know the notary's office and the name of the notary who drafted the property deed you are looking for. Refer to the alphabetical table of notaries and note the reference of the register corresponding to your research period. By exploring the archives, you can find the names of previous owners through property deeds. 

Registration - Tax Archives

• Registration : available under sub-series 3Q at the AD, the Registration Fund groups all notarial deeds, court deeds, bailiff's deeds, private deeds, and, most importantly, property or usufruct deeds of real estate. You will need the name of the registration office (depending on the municipality of residence) to then consult the Sellers' and Buyers' Table. 

Other sources of information 

• Find family documents (photos and administrative documents)
• Ask family members if the house in question has remained in the family
• Ask neighbors, local shop owners
• Look at the small details of the house

Happy researching!