Estate Records House History
As property owners, the records of Hertfordshire’s landed gentry contain valuable sources for the dating of houses. Estate maps, the earliest of which date from the 16th century, can be very large and show houses in great detail, including 3-D pictures. Books of estate maps often show individual farms and cottages, with tenants’ names and land use. Bills and receipts, often preserved with estate accounts, can provide vital details, including rebuilding, additions and the materials used.
