Independent historical research in Devon
Discover who lived in your house, worked your farm and shaped the land before you.
A house or farm history can recover the families, occupations, changes of name and human stories hidden behind a familiar address.
Research is individually undertaken, with particular experience of Devon farms and older rural properties. Findings are explained in clear language and grounded in the surviving evidence.
Choose where to begin
Begin with a small check, or commission a history substantial enough to preserve and give as a family keepsake.
An initial assessment of one Devon property to establish whether it can be identified in historical records and how much useful evidence may survive.
A concise, multi-source investigation answering a clearly agreed question about a house, farm, family or former occupier.
A deeper chronological investigation, bringing the property's occupants and development together in a polished illustrated report.
Every property is different. Full research is quoted after the initial check, so the scope and cost are clear before work begins.
A family example
Research into a family-owned farmhouse shows how the history of a building can be recovered alongside the people and businesses connected with it.
This is the sort of layered investigation a full property history can contain—bringing together archive documents, census evidence, directories, maps and knowledge of the locality.
Read the Browns Farm case study →Simple and personal
Send the property name, parish or village, and anything you already know.
I assess what can be traced and identify the sources most likely to help.
Stop with the useful initial findings, or receive a clear quotation for fuller research.
Your evidence is brought together in a readable account designed to be kept.
Rooted in local history
Devon House & Farm Histories grew from extensive research into Colebrooke parish—its farms, houses, families and changing landscape.
That background brings something databases alone cannot provide: an understanding of rural communities, farm names, local geography and the need to distinguish a tempting match from reliable evidence.
Common questions
A brief initial assessment of one named Devon property: whether it can be identified in readily accessible historical records, the likely traceable period, promising sources and a short note on anything particularly interesting found. It is not a miniature full history.
No. Records can be missing, unclear or list only a hamlet rather than an individual property. The check exists partly to establish this before you commit to greater expense.
Yes. Farms and rural properties are a particular interest, but cottages, village houses and the people connected with them are equally welcome.
Yes. A property history can make a thoughtful wedding, anniversary, retirement, birthday or Christmas gift. Allow plenty of time for a substantial commission.
Explore the locality
These independent village websites provide useful background for places closely connected with the research behind this service.
Begin your property’s story
Send the property name, its parish or village, and any question or clue you already have. Initial enquiries are welcome without any commitment to commission a full history.
Email an enquiryenquiries@devonhousehistory.co.uk
Hello, I would like to ask about a history check for [property name] in [parish or village]. I already know [any useful details], and I am particularly interested in [your question].