Records associated with Property

[Jeremy Pyne]

Interested in trying to find new family records - via association with a given property. I know my ancestors lived at the forge in Weston in Gordano from c 1807 to mid 19th century. Have the village 1837 tithe records and through that can identify the landlord - one Philip John Miles , a Bristol merchant and banker.  Any experience out there of trying to find estate records or tenancy documents associated with a given property?

[iluleah]

Maybe start at TNA https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/houses/

[Jeremy Pyne]

Yes thanks for that, its a useful guide - unfortunately most of the detailed sources relate to later periods. As my ancestors would have been tenants rather than landlords - don't think the property deeds will be much help - leaves me I think with landlord estate records to see if they record tenants - Thanks for the suggestion

[josey]

Maybe try the local or county archives for details of leases or estate rentals. Also try newspapers; I found an ancestors name when a 'messuage' was for sale 'currently occupied by'.

[Jo Harding]

A search of the Somerset Archives site indicates they hold estate papers for Philip John Miles:

https://somerset-cat.swheritage.org.uk/search/all:records/0_50/all/score_desc/philip%20john%20miles

I think a call to them would be worthwhile and a visit if you are able to do so.

Jo

[Jeremy Pyne]

Many thanks Jo . It would be nice to get back to the records office, not been there all through last year. I think actually more Miles records are held in Bristol Archives.

[carolmc]

Hi Taunton museum used to do seminars on house history pre covid. They were very useful, big suggestion, try looking at old wills of poss landlords, may lead to old indentures. I got back to 1760!  Good luck carolmc