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Trace the History of Your House

Contact

Last Revised:
April 3, 2001

Questions

1. Where is my property located?
2. When was the property developed and the house built?
3. Who was the original owner and/or occupant of the property?
4. Who were the successive owners and/or occupants of the property?
5. Who was the architect/builder?
6. How has the property changed over time, and how has the house been altered?
7. Were the original or successive owners and/or occupants noteworthy?
8. What was the role of the property in the context of the history and development of the neighbourhood and/or the City of Toronto?

Sources for answers

Neighbourhood and community sources

• Look at your house and its setting in the neighbourhood
• Look at your deed, assessment notice, or tax bill
• Talk to previous owners, neighbours and long-time residents
• Visit the local library with a local history collection
• Visit the Toronto Reference Library
• Call the local historical society (under construction)
• Consult the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) (under construction)
• Heritage Toronto
• City of Toronto Archives
• Archives of Ontario

Primary Sources

• Directories
• Atlases and maps
• Assessment rolls (under construction)
• Building permits (under construction)
• Architectural drawings (under construction)
• Pictures and photographs (under construction)
• Land records (under construction)
• Census records (under construction)
• Voters lists (under construction)

Secondary Sources

• Periodicals and newspapers (under construction)
• Archindont