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Lyndhurst, the residence of Mrs J. Reid, in London Road, Clayfield
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House histories

Houses hold memories that last beyond a lifetime. If your walls could talk, ever wondered what tales they’d tell? Maybe they’d whisper secrets from families before you, gloat about the status they’ve held in Queensland communities over the years or tell stories about how their fixtures and features came to be. Explore video guides on each topic for handy tips and to introduce you to the resources you’ll need.

House Histories Video Guides

Set the foundations for house history research success by watching State Library’s series of 5 House Histories video guides. These guides introduce you to the resources you’ll need and provide handy tips to help open doors to a house’s hidden past.

House at 26 The Terrace, North Ipswich
Begin your research journey
Gradually build the story of your house by using State Library and other local archives. Tips on research and the importance of documents such as Certificate of Title.
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Plan of allotments to be sold.
Maps
Understand the history of the land upon which the house is built. Land tells its own story of subdivision and ownership through transfers, inheritance and sales. Digital and physical maps to help your research.
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Architectural drawing of villa.
Architectural styles
What clues are contained in the roof pitch, the plan of the rooms, the materials used and the ornamentation – finials, veranda posts and railings, window hoods, lattice work and paint colours. Find builders, architects, plans and council documents to discover more about the architectural style of your home.
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Manager's residence at the Pioneer Sugar Plantation outside Mackay, ca. 1880
Inhabitants of your house
A house is not a home without people and their stories. Enrich the history of your home by finding out who lived there and what events unfolded in that house?
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Afternoon tea on the verandah.
Your house and its community
Know how your house fits into the locality and suburb. What did the house and its inhabitants contribute to the community? What role did it play in the evolution of that locality?
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Client interacting with staff at reception
Ask us
Do you have questions about your research? State Library is here to help.
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House at 4 Marieander Street, Tarragindi

Corley Explorer

Frank and Eunice Corley drove the old suburban streets of Queensland taking photographs of houses and selling them to homeowners. Explore our collection to find yours.

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From the blog

Ellerslie Homestead, home of Robert Philp
Beginning your house history
Gradually build the story of your house by following our house history blog series. We outline the resources of State Library of Queensland and other local Archives that can be used to tell the story of your house.
Read more
Coloured estate map of Caloundra Bullock Estate, featuring a light house and the Bribie Island Passage
Queensland maps online
Maps are bursting with information and surprises. They can help with researching many different topics, from...
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Brisbane Parish Map showing landowners
But where did they live?
Recently I was asked to find the land where a dairy farm was located on Ithaca Creek, Brisbane. The...
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