I live in a modest Vernacular/Folk Victorian house in Northern Indiana that was likely built c.1886, and was owned by the same family from 1930-2001 when my husband and I bought it. After many years of not being quite sure what style my house was, I found a postcard of the high school building next door, where I could see just a bit of gingerbread on the gable, and after that I started doing my detective work and piecing together the information that the previous owner had given me. I imagine I'll be pursuing that for many years to come!
Through researching the history of my house, I grew to have a passion for the work and have helped others research their homes as well. My grandfather and dad were both avid genealogists; my grandfather was responsible for cataloging the cemeteries of Waldo Co., Maine, where my dad's family originated. I grew up tagging along with my parents to libraries, antique stores, visiting distant relatives, and pouring over my dad's old books and letters in the basement.
My dad retired from the military and decided to attend college, and not long after we moved from Northern Virginia to Indiana and into a 1930s (Sears?) bungalow that was college housing. I remember digging up a piece of wrought iron in the yard that my dad said looked like farm equipment, and I told him that I'd like to become an archeologist someday. My love for that house has remained, though it was torn down a few years ago to make a parking lot for the hospital. I can't ever forget the warmth that I felt in those walls, in spite of the plastic we had to put over the windows each winter!
You can read about my house here: https://pathwayspast.wordpress.com/2015 ... agination/
There's a more detailed history here: https://wordpress.com/stats/insights/pa ... dpress.com
And a bio done on the (darling) previous owner by the historical society: https://wordpress.com/stats/insights/pa ... dpress.com
In a moment I will add some before and after photos as well. I hope to make a real nuisance of myself here with questions! And I look forward to getting to know you all!
