Help & Guidance
Useful Information
The following will be helpful in researching the history of a house.
Guide to researching old houses
A practical guide produced by the DOWH Conwy branch to researching the history of a house. Researching a house can be in three parts: the House, the Owners, and the Occupiers and these can all be worked on at the same time!
A list of useful Reference Books and Other Sources compiled by the DOWH Conwy Branch. Updated in March 2026.
A glossary of terms you will come across when researching an old house.
This early but little known survey was carried out by George Owen of Henllys (1552 - 1613) who was a Welsh author and naturalist. He was educated in law at the Inns of Court in London. During his life span he collected antiquarian information about Wales, including the heraldry, genealogy and historical buildings and structures.
The Vernacular Architecture Group's Glossary identifies terms used for vernacular buildings, in particular the components of timber-framed structures. They can be identified by name or from the drawings. It is based on the Practical Handbook Recording Timber-Framed Buildings: an Illustrated Glossary by Nat Alcock, Maurice Barley, Philip Dixon and Bob Meeson, published by the Council for British Archaeology (available in hard copy from the CBA). Conversion to the web version of the Glossary has been generously supported by Joyce Bishop.
Thomas Pennant and the Welsh and Scottish Tour (1760-1820)
The Curious Travellers project explores travel and tourism in Britain and Ireland in the late C18th and early C19th. It does so through the writings of the Flintshire naturalist and antiquarian Thomas Pennant (1726-1798), and of others who followed in his footsteps. Focused primarily on tours of Scotland and Wales, the project has been funded in two phases by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and is supported by numerous partners. It is a collaboration between The University of Wales Trinity St David, Glasgow University and the Natural History Museum.
This site contains classified extracts from over 1,500 published and manuscript accounts of tours of and guide books to Wales, 1700-1900. (Author: Michael Freeman, curator of Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth, 1991-2012.)
ANY QUESTIONS
On the second Tuesday evening each month at 7pm, Gill Jones and Janice Dale host an online meeting for members.
Would you like to start a house history, got stuck on your research, have an idea for a project?
This is your opportunity to join us and talk about anything you like relating to old houses.
Have you got stuck with a house history and would like pointers as to what to do next?
Have you spotted an old house and want to know if anybody else has information about it?
Invitations are sent out to all members.
Please just email chair@dowh.wales with a question you would like to ask, so we can do some preparation.
You will need to be a member to join Any Questions!
Repair & Conservation
DOWH does not provide practical advice on planning or repair and conservation but there is useful information to be found on the internet.
Some of the most valuable links are given below:
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is the best first port of call for traditional building dating from before c. 1750. Good advice is available on the society’s Knowledge Base regarding energy efficiency in old buildings (including loft insulation) along with handy guides on renders, rainwater fittings, repointing, traditional materials and suchlike.
Although DOWH’s focus is on houses dating from before the mid eighteenth century, most of these will have been remodelled and extended later. The Georgian Group and The Victorian Society have advice notes on things like period fireplaces, sash and casement windows and interior decoration.
Cadw has published:
The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 and its suite of supporting secondary legislation came into full effect on 4 November 2024.
How to Improve Energy Efficiency
Small Rural Dwellings in Wales – Care and Conservation