Would you find it weird if you were given this?

[SallyCinnabon]

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 🤣

🤔

I bought my First House 7 years ago . The house is over 100 years old. Two owners before me . Was giving a big folder with pass info on the house and deeds etc . Was so interesting to read . Think its a fab idea.

I would love this. Our house is quite old and has been in the same family previous to us buying it. The deeds etc. are in pristine condition. We have framed them as they look so nice and they are a great conversation starter.

Sorry I somehow missed those last replies

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, I’ve realised how many people would actually like this and have a better idea of what I’ll do now

I'd love receiving that and thought of doing similar to 2 well loved properties that we did up. I guess thinking the new owners would think me weird would put me off!

Now it could be done digitally it is possibly worth asking them if they'd like it, you wouldn't be adding to clutter if it was in digital form?

I'd love it. However, my mum tried this for her childhood home and they did refuse. So be prepared for that and don't take it personally.

In my town we have a FB page “Toytown Memories”, people put posts up about various places and properties & lots of people comment. How about you try that @SallyCinnabon? Personally, I’d love to receive it, I think you’ve done a wonderful thing by capturing this microcosm of history.

I would be literally beyond thrilled if someone gave me that. I think it would honestly be the best present I'd ever received! You'd be my best friend for life! You're so lovely OP! Do it!

I'd love this. DH and I really wanted a period property but looked at quite a few where flippers had ripped out all the features and had to plan how we'd reinstate them. So, aside from the loveliness, it could be a really helpful gift if they're planning to try and restore the house.

I honestly feel really disappointed now at the realisation that the chances of anyone ever doing this for me is really low

Put a note in the door with your offer of information on the history & contact details. Let them follow up if they are interested. I'd leave it at that...they may or may not be interested.

@JemimaJoy

I honestly feel really disappointed now at the realisation that the chances of anyone ever doing this for me is really low

Do it yourself, Jemima! All the information - censuses, land records, local papers, building records - is out there.

I'd absolutely love it, but I agree with ARoseDowntown not just as a surprise if you turned up on the doorstep with it in person out of the blue

I’d love it op.

I have been considering something similar...I think its a lovely idea but I am also a bit worried that the people might think me odd. I bought a portfolio of drawings from an auction, they were mostly churches in France, lovely sepia ink drawings done by an architect. In there were some drawings and plans for a row of cottages in Wiltshire, they are beautiful, quite small but incredibly detailed. I wondered if they would like them, they were done in 1868. I have not yet plucked up the courage to try to contact the currrent owners (the cottages are still there but now surrounded by a housing estate) to see if they would like them.

As yours is so much more recent I would do it, I think it would be a lovely thing to offer, if it were me, I would love it and think you kind, not weird.

I would absolutely love that. I imagine most people would. Lovely idea.

I would love something like this if it were me. We received the deeds to our flat when we bought it and I spent ages going through it and looking at the names of the different owners. I love learning about the history of people and places, probably because I'm bloody nosey 😁

Oh definitely do it! And tell them all about the bits that have been covered up.

I live in a 150 year old house and had a knock on the door one day - the relative of a former owner had a bundle of photos, postcards and letters from 100+ years ago describing life during WW1 (the son who lived here died in battle). He was going to throw it all away but decided to pass it on to us. My favourite is a really old original photo of a Victorian couple standing on the doorstep.

I was a bit taken aback to be honest, but very happy to have all this stuff. I will definitely pass it all on when we sell. I’ve even done a family tree of who lived here to match up with the letters.

Go for it!!

I would think it was charming and I'd love it. I may be a bit of a weirdo too though

It's a great idea.

One of our previous homes came with a folder of old documents, bills, shopping lists, cards and letters belonging to its first occupants in the 18 60's/ 70's . The owner before us had found them stashed in a secret hole in the wall; and he wanted them to stay with the house as part of its history. I was thrilled to get them.

20 year later when we sold the place, I photocopied everything for myself, and left the originals with the new owners.

Personally I would find that very cool.

I'd love this - and people who buy old houses generally are at least a bit interested in the history of them! I'd invite you in...

I grew up in an 1870s house - I have been able to find out who the original owners were. We also had a family who used to live there about 40 years ago turn up one day (80s) and my parents invited them in

I think its normal to be curious about a house where you grew up/spent time as a child

This is so awesome! Please do it! I've done the same with my house (which was built early 1800's) and it's so fascinating! In fact I want to see yours hahaha.

My god, I'd bloody love it - because I delve into the history of every house I move into.

And I would also use the photos etc to try to reconstruct what it wa.s I love old houses and it hurts my soul when gorgeous houses get gutted. I love to bring them back

Approach the new owners sensitively, and they can at leat have the choice. I'd hate to be depreived of the choice because of someone's ideas of propriety.

I'd love you to have something to do with my house - but it sounds far from it xx

I think it's a wonderful thing to do. I live in a similar old house with a lot of history. Twice I've had previous owners turn up out of the blue. I've invited them in and have been fascinated by what they've told me and photos they've sent me afterwards. We've stayed in touch.