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Original poster

Would you find it weird if you were given this?

99 replies

SallyCinnabon · 26/05/2021 22:32

Ok I just want a consensus of whether you’d find this weird.

I’ve always been interested in family/building history and I spent a great amount of my childhood in my grandparents old house, which they had most of their lives, playing hide and seek in the many hidden nooks with my siblings, telling ghost stories down in the cellar, sitting playing the piano with my grandad etc and so when my Grandad died and my Grandmother got too ill to care for such a big house, I was happy the house was sold to a family member.

At this point I’d already done a history of who lived in the house since it was built in the early 1800s and I then started to do more on the house, including information about my Grandparents and photos of the house over the decades. Then this relative got too old and ill to look after the house properly too and so it went on the market.

It was bought by some renovators, who basically blocked up or knocked out all the original fireplaces (except one), carpeted over the original parquet flooring in the hall and boarded up a door ?? (saw it on right move) Thankfully they kept the stained glass in the inner porch, the tiles leading to the house and a few other features on the ceilings. (I know, it’s theirs to do with as they please, still was sad to see though).

Anyway, the point of this thread… it went on the market again and it’s just sold.

I am considering making a copy of what I’ve compiled about the house and giving it to the new owners (minus any personal photos).

Do you think this is a weird thing to do, DH says maybe, verging more on yes. My Mum (who grew up in the house) thinks it’s a nice idea (but she’s my Mum so she would say that 😊).

I need the opinions of strangers. What do you think? Would you like it? The more I think about it, the more I think a random woman turning up with a history of the house you’ve bought is a bit weird. I think I’d like it if I received one though.

I live in a new build several years old and as the first owners, I have started compiling a history (with pics) for the next owners. So I understand I may be a bit weird in this respect 🤣

🤔

OP posts:
Original poster
SallyCinnabon · 26/05/2021 22:33

Wow sorry that’s long, congratulations if you make it to the end 😊😊😊

OP posts:
Excitedforxmas · 26/05/2021 22:34

I’d love that

UhtredRagnarson · 26/05/2021 22:35

I like knowing the history of places so I would love it. Others mightn’t though. Grin sorry! That’s no help at all!

DinaofCloud9 · 26/05/2021 22:35

It is weird but I'd love it.

ThinWomansBrain · 26/05/2021 22:35

I'd quite like to receive something like that.

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 26/05/2021 22:36

I think its a lovely idea!! I would be so pleased if I was to recieve something like that about my house.

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 26/05/2021 22:36

I'd contact them to explain, and offer. I wouldn't just rock up to their door!

Redglitter · 26/05/2021 22:36

I live in an old house. I know nothing of its history. I'd love that

Polkapup · 26/05/2021 22:36

I'd think it a bit strange but then immediately get past it and love it. As long as you didn't hint to visit all the time. It at all. And make it clear you don't expect to go in !

M0rT · 26/05/2021 22:37

I would love that!
Your family connection to the house explains why you would have compiled the history so it's not as weird as if a stranger for no reason had loads of information about their home.

SnoozyBoozy · 26/05/2021 22:37

Personally I'd quite like it, but then I wouldn't buy an old house if I wasn't interested in its history.

I guess the worst they could do is throw it away, so as long as you're giving them a copy, you've not got
a lot to lose?

whoami24601 · 26/05/2021 22:37

Agreed it is weird but I would love it! If you explained the context of why you'd done it, it would be fine. Like that 'A House Through Time' programme.

Original poster
SallyCinnabon · 26/05/2021 22:38

Really? I honestly thought people would say it’s odd and a bit intrusive (for the new owners) 🤣 It has so much history, I just think I’d like to receive something like this if I lived in an old house.

OP posts:
KnackeredHag · 26/05/2021 22:38

I'd love to know that! I tried unsuccessfully to find out the history of our old house. I'd have been delighted if handed to me!

MamaWeasel · 26/05/2021 22:38

Sounds fab!

Original poster
SallyCinnabon · 26/05/2021 22:39

@ICouldHaveCheckedFirst

I'd contact them to explain, and offer. I wouldn't just rock up to their door!
🤣🤣 Yes that’s true!!
OP posts:
Original poster
SallyCinnabon · 26/05/2021 22:40

@Polkapup

I'd think it a bit strange but then immediately get past it and love it. As long as you didn't hint to visit all the time. It at all. And make it clear you don't expect to go in !
No I wouldn’t go that far 😆 I wouldn’t want them thinking there’s a crazy woman stalking them (good plot for a horror story though 😊)
OP posts:
ARoseDowntown · 26/05/2021 22:41

I’d write to them and tell them you’ve compiled this history but have no interest or odd claims. Then ask them if they’d be interested in receiving a copy of your research.

BramStoker · 26/05/2021 22:41

Our house is very old and must have lots of history so I would be pleased to receive something similar

How long have the new owners been in the house?

If they've only just moved in then I would leave it a few months so they are properly settled in before you approach them. You don't want to give them the impression that you have an unhealthy obsession with the house and are going to appear on their doorstep on a regular basis!

Original poster
SallyCinnabon · 26/05/2021 22:42

@M0rT

I would love that! Your family connection to the house explains why you would have compiled the history so it's not as weird as if a stranger for no reason had loads of information about their home.
That’s true! I guess that makes me feel less weird about it. 😊
OP posts:
topwings · 26/05/2021 22:43

I would love it and wouldn't think it weird because you have a family connection to the house.

It's not like you're a nosey neighbour that has recorded the comings and goings of the previous owners Grin

MazDazzle · 26/05/2021 22:44

I think it’s a lovely thing to do.

We bought our house from a couple who basically flipped it. They only owned it for 1 year. The family who owned it before that had it for 80 years. One of the family members for in touch and passed on her (deceased) mother’s notes on the house and all of the changes over the 80 years as well as some original artefacts from the house.

I intend to pass everything on to the next owners.

Original poster
SallyCinnabon · 26/05/2021 22:44

@ARoseDowntown

I’d write to them and tell them you’ve compiled this history but have no interest or odd claims. Then ask them if they’d be interested in receiving a copy of your research.
That’s a really good idea, thinking about it I’d probably send it if they wanted it, stop them feeling like they had to invite me in or something (I think I’d refuse anyway)
OP posts:
Seeingadistance · 26/05/2021 22:45

I’d love it!

sbhydrogen · 26/05/2021 22:45

I would absolutely love the book/folder. Just don't expect us to be become besties because you made this cool thing 😉