At the time of purchase, ask the sellers for any information they may have about the house:

Talk to neighbors and senior citizens in the area.

Get a legal description of the property. It will be contained in the title information. This "legal" will be used in many avenues of research.

The title company that issued the title insurance has probably run a title search on the property. A "chain of title" is necessary for house history research. It may be costly. Some local title insurance companies allow manual research in their title book free of charge.

The Recorder of Deeds office at the county courthouse has records that are open to the public. Clerks there will advise on how to use the Grantor-Grantee indices. Know the Property Identification Number and have the legal description when you go there. The Grantor books indicate the seller, and the Grantee books indicate the buyer of property. Date of sale, quite claim deeds (QC), warranty deeds (WC), "book and page" information, and brief legal description and other legal documents may be contained on microfiche in this office.

The County Treasurer’s office at the courthouse has all real estate and personal property tax records on microfilm or fiche by date, township and section number. Look for a large increase in the tax amount, indicating a rise in value (a structure added), in the "tax due" column.

The Township Assessor’s office may have old records (from the late 1800’s) that contain construction dates, crude floor plans, builder’s names, building materials, etc. These excellent sources of information may, however, be in storage, as the offices are mostly computerized. Ask questions, and give clerks time (weeks) to find the files.

Chicago Historical Society, 312-642-4600 Their library contains catalogues of various companies that put out house plans like Sears, Wards, Budget. The library also contains information on Chicago architects.

Illinois State Historic Preservation Agency, Division of Preservation Services, Old State Capitol, Springfield, IL 62701, 217-785-4512. Help with National Register, grants, architects, local government services.

McHenry County Historical Society Research Library, 815-923-2267 6422 Main Street, P.O. 434, Union IL 60180. By appointment only, Monday – Friday,

Northern Illinois University, 815-753-1779 For the Illinois Regional Archives Depository. Microfilmed records from the county are deposited here. Call and ask what local information is available.

McHenry Plain Dealer found at McHenry Public Library

Nunda Advertiser and The Herald found at Crystal Lake Public Library

Woodstock Sentinel found at the Woodstock Public Library

Marengo Republican found at the Marengo Public Library

Harvard Herald found at the Harvard Public Library