Research your property history online
9/25/2008
It is amazing what you can find out about the history of your house and its previous owners without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Below are a few useful links to get you started.Tarrant Appraisal District
www.TAD.org
The property data search allows you to perform searches on your property for previous owners as well as current tax information. The online information dates back to 1984 but earlier information is available through a deed card search.
Deed Card Search
http://taxoffice.tarrantcounty.com/TaxDeed.htm
Use this site to research ownership and property history prior to 1984 including original building materials, any additional structures on the property and the original construction date of the home. You will need to know some information before performing this search. You can get the subdivision name and georeference number you will need off the current Tarrant Appraisal District site. Place the georeference number in the box requesting the legal description for the property. You do not need to fill in every field to perform a search and actually that may keep you from finding the result you are looking for. Each property record has two pages.
Tarrant County Web site
www.tarrantcounty.com/egov
Click on link for real property records under County Clerk. Here you can find information on sales and deeds on your property. The records date back to 1970 and many records have scanned copies available for download. Be sure to perform searches on both grantor and grantee based on the information you have gathered previously. It takes some time but you can find a lot of information this way. Marriage records from 1984 to present are also available here.
Fort Worth Public Library
www.fortworthgov.org/Library
Click on the Genealogy, History and Archives link. You will need a current library card to access online databases. Available information includes U.S. Federal Census records from 1790-1930, an obituary index from 1966-1976, Texas Digital Sanborn Maps and Fort Worth History Fugitive Facts. There are additional resources available if you actually visit the library.
Sanborn Fire Maps (1867-1970)
These maps are useful in depicting the original footprint of your home, possible address changes that have occurred and a general layout of your neighborhood.
HeritageQuest Online
Provides information on family lineage and American culture. Includes the complete U.S. Federal Census from 1790-1930, the Periodical Source Index (PERSI), the Revolutionary War Pension Applications and Bounty Land Warrant Applications, and the Freedman’s Bank Records.
U.S. Federal Census records (1790-1930)
Useful to determine owner’s names, additional family members living in the home and possibly boarders or employees residing with the family. Review more than one year to see possible births and deaths that have occurred. When looking at census records it’s important to remember that if the property owner is a female she may be using her husband’s initials rather than her own. Once you have names and dates it is usually easy to find birth and death dates and then search for obituaries at the library. An obituary can possibly tell a life history and even include a photo so it is worth the time to do the research.
These maps are useful in depicting the original footprint of your home, possible address changes that have occurred and a general layout of your neighborhood.
HeritageQuest Online
Provides information on family lineage and American culture. Includes the complete U.S. Federal Census from 1790-1930, the Periodical Source Index (PERSI), the Revolutionary War Pension Applications and Bounty Land Warrant Applications, and the Freedman’s Bank Records.
U.S. Federal Census records (1790-1930)
Useful to determine owner’s names, additional family members living in the home and possibly boarders or employees residing with the family. Review more than one year to see possible births and deaths that have occurred. When looking at census records it’s important to remember that if the property owner is a female she may be using her husband’s initials rather than her own. Once you have names and dates it is usually easy to find birth and death dates and then search for obituaries at the library. An obituary can possibly tell a life history and even include a photo so it is worth the time to do the research.
Historic Fort Worth
http://www.historicfortworth.org/
Check out the online database containing historical and architectural photographs for approximately 500 historic resources in Fort Worth’s south side. The database can be searched by property address, name and neighborhood. Historic Fort Worth also maintains a resource center in the basement of the historic Ball-Edelman-McFarland House at 1110 Penn St. The Preservation Resource Center is available for use by the public. Call 817-336-2344, ext. 111 to make a research appointment.