Online Toolkit

Gaining deeper insights into a historic building or monument through research is a crucial initial step in laying the foundations for any project aimed at promoting, conserving, protecting, or regenerating heritage. Conducting comprehensive research prior to embarking on a heritage project can shed light on the rich history, rarity, and distinctiveness of an asset. This is particularly important for planning and funding applications. Whether you’re seeking Listed Building Consent (LBC), planning permission, or funding, a well-informed research approach enhances your project’s application and increases its chances of success.

Before embarking on a research project, it is crucial to clearly define the scope of the heritage you are investigating. This will help you identify the available information, assess your existing knowledge, and determine areas that warrant further exploration. To guide your research, consider asking yourself the following questions:

• Where is the asset located?
• What are the boundaries associated with the asset (curtilage)?
• When was the asset constructed?
• Did the asset undergo phased development over time?
• What architectural style does the asset belong to?
• Who was the architect or designer of the asset?
• Is the asset designated as a historic site or landmark?
• Is the asset situated within a designated Conservation Area?

By addressing these questions, you will lay a solid foundation for your research, enabling you to focus on relevant aspects of your heritage asset and navigate the available resources more effectively

When researching aspects of our built heritage, it is highly likely that you will need to make use of archives.

Whilst archival collections are being increasingly digitised, the vast majority of archival research will need to be carried out in person.

In Northern Ireland, there are two main archival collections that you may need to make use of when carrying out research into historic buildings or monuments:

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

The Historic Environment Record of Northern Ireland (HERoNI)

These archives include a vast array of sources, from letters to images; referencing specific localities, people, buildings or organisations. Archives can also include private and institutional collections

By utilising both PRONI and HERoNI, you will be able to access:

· Accounts

· Maps

· Artefacts

· Measured Drawings

· Audio visuals

· Newspapers

· Diaries

· Photographs

· Letters

· Publications

· Manuscripts

In addition to the maps available in archival collections, there is a wealth of online resources that offer access to both current and historic maps.

A good starting point is Google Maps, which enables you to view a heritage site from both an aerial perspective and, when applicable, through street-level imagery. Notably, Google Maps provides the unique functionality of displaying historical images from street level (usually going back to 2008), allowing you to observe the evolution or deterioration of an asset over the past few years.

For historical maps, the best resource is the Historic Environment Map Viewer, which allows you to view, overlay, and compare historical maps from the Ordnance Survey (dating back to 1830) to modern geospatial data, such as recent aerial photography.

When conducting research on a historic building or monument, photographs and photographic records are invaluable resources that provide unique insights. Whether you aim to study the building’s development, restore a characterful detail, determine its age, or compare changes over time, photographs offer a snapshot in history to facilitate these endeavours.

Photographs can be sourced through both PRONI and HERoNI, but other resources include:

National Museums Northern Ireland photographic collections

Britain from Above

Northern Ireland Historical Photographical Society (Facebook)

NI Historical Pictures (Twitter)

Belfast Archive Project

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To extract information from a photograph, consider the following:

• What is the photograph portraying? Is it a historic event or a personal memory?
• Take note of the content within the photo. Are there specific objects, landmarks, or architectural details captured?
• Determine if the photograph is staged or candid, as it can influence the context and authenticity of the image.
• Analyze the attire of individuals present in the photograph, as clothing styles can provide clues about the time period.
• Check for date markings on the photograph itself or any accompanying notes or inscriptions.
• Explore collections held by government departments, local museums, libraries, as well as reach out to friends, family, social media groups, and historical societies to access relevant photographs. These sources can help you identify the heritage asset and potentially provide insights into the people associated with it.

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When searching archival collections for historic photographs, don’t be discouraged if you initially can’t find your specific building or monument

Experiment with different keywords and broaden your search parameters, including former asset names, former street names, adjacent buildings, and significant events or time periods. Additionally, look for neighboring streets that offer views or vistas of your asset and consider exploring wider aerial shots to gain a comprehensive understanding of the area.

1901 and 1911 censuses

The census records of Ireland are only whole for the years 1901 and 1911. Despite this, these two censuses provide a valuable glimpse into the lives people at the turn of the century. These records offer detailed information covering various aspects of individuals and households, including:

• Household residents.
• Age
• Employment status
• Religion
• Marital status
• Health
• Living arrangements

View the 1901 and 1911 censuses here

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Valuation records

Property valuations were carried out on an annual basis, to determine the value of a property for tax purposes. Many valuations records are now digitised and publically accessible online. The Griffiths Valuation was the first of its kind in Ireland, dating from c.1847-1864.

Valuation records can give an insight into:

• Quality of dwelling

• Size of dwelling

• Head of household

• Forename and surname

• Occupants in relation to head of the house

• Changes in occupancy

• Acreage

• Value at the time of record

• Townland/street

Newspapers provide valuable insights into the history of a building, including details about land sales, building sales, and other significant events related to the locality. While some online newspaper archives may require a fee, accessing old newspapers through libraries or institutions like PRONI is also an option.

Online newspaper archives include:

British Newspaper Archive

Irish News Archives 

Why are newspapers an important tool for research?

• Newspapers often report on noteworthy events such as inaugurations, celebrations, or incidents that occurred in or around the building or its vicinity, providing historical context.
• Announcements in newspapers can shed light on the personal lives of the building’s occupants, including births, marriages, and deaths, allowing researchers to establish connections between individuals and the property.
• Newspapers may feature stories or articles involving individuals associated with the building, offering insights into their activities, achievements, or contributions to the community.
• Sales particulars and advertisements found in newspapers can provide detailed descriptions of the building, including architectural features, room layouts, and amenities, allowing researchers to visualize its original form.
• Newspapers may document the various uses of the building over time, such as residential, commercial, or institutional purposes, providing a glimpse into its evolving functions.
• Newspapers might mention architects, developers, builders, or tradespeople involved in the construction or renovation of the building, offering information about the professionals behind its creation.
• Through articles, editorials, and opinion pieces, newspapers capture the social, cultural, and political climate of the time, providing a broader context for understanding the building and its place within society.
• Newspapers can be a valuable resource for tracing the planning history of a building, including discussions, debates, or controversies related to its construction, alteration, or preservation.

Starting your research on a historic building or monument can feel overwhelming due to the multitude of potential sources available. To help you navigate this process, here are some suggestions:

1. Begin online: If you have computer access, starting your research online is often the easiest option. Check if the building or monument is listed, as there will usually be a record of historical information associated with its listing. The online Historic Environment Map Viewer can help you determine if the site is protected and provide links to relevant records.
2. Utilise available information: If the building or site is not listed or lacks comprehensive records, use the information you already know as a starting point. This can include the building’s name, address, or location. Old maps can be valuable resources, offering historic building names, street names, and approximate construction dates.
3. Expand your search parameters: Once you have identified a building name, address, or architect, conduct a generic online search to gather additional basic information for your research. However, be cautious of sources without valid references. They can still provide clues that you can validate through further research.
4. Systematically explore online resources: Once you have gathered as much basic information as possible, systematically explore a range of online resources relevant to your research. These can include digital archives, databases, academic resources, and specialized websites related to architecture, local history, or heritage.
5. Utilise library or institution resources: If you prefer to conduct research in a library or institution, many of them have online catalogues that you can explore to identify specific sources you want to access in person. This helps you narrow down your search and make your time at the library more productive. If you lack online access, reach out to your local library, heritage group, or institutions like PRONI for assistance and further guidance.