THE HOUSE DETECTIVE

HOUSE HISTORY RESEARCH

Hi there! I'm Marianne Taylor, but my alter ego is The House Detective!

I research the history of houses. When was it built? Who built it? Who lived there? Are there any old photos of it? Did it have a name? I answer these questions and many more!

I believe every home, from a humble cottage to a grand mansion, has a fascinating story just waiting to be discovered!

 I would love to see what secrets I can uncover about YOUR house!!

I'm based in Brisbane, Queensland, but I research houses and buildings all over Australia.

RESEARCH PACKAGES

I offer a number of different research options, depending on the level of detail or type of information you are after and how you would like the results presented. You can view the details and prices of my different packages below. However, I am also more than happy to tailor a package to your requirements or budget.

View Research Packages

RENO ADVICE

Before you get started renovating, it's important to get to know your house a bit better. By better understanding the age, history, design and construction of your home, you can ensure that your renovation is appropriate, sympathetic and adds maximum value. It will also help you get the details right, by making sure they are appropriate for the date and style of your house.

More Information

WHEN WAS IT BUILT?

If you'd like to know when your house was built, or need to establish if the house or extensions were built pre-1911 or pre-1947 (for Brisbane City Council planning requirements), I have a package specifically for you!

More Information

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HOUSE HISTORY RESEARCH

I'm an architectural historian, which is basically a fancy way of saying that I investigate the history of houses and buildings. I solve their mysteries by uncovering the secrets of the buildings and the people who lived there.

When was it built? Who built it? Who lived there? Are there any old photos of it? Did it have a name? To try to answer these questions and many more, I become a detective: I visit archives, I search the net, I examine the house itself and I chase down any leads I come across. I never know where my research will take me!

When I have finished investigating a case, I put all the information, photographs, old maps and any other gems I uncover together in a detailed history report. It is presented either as a PDF or in a professionally printed, hard-cover book, which makes a wonderful keepsake. I also offer the option of a customised USB, with electronic versions of the report and any old photographs or other cool stuff I find.

For more information or a quote, please use the buttons below, email me at info@housedetective.com.au or call or text me on 0404 859 008.

You can also follow my research and history adventures on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube!

HERITAGE ADVICE

With post-graduate qualifications and over 15 years experience in heritage research, conservation and management, I also offer an advisory service to building or house owners. This includes advice on repairing, restoring or extending your house. I am also experienced in the preparation of Heritage Impact Assessments and Conservation Management Plans for character or heritage listed properties.

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FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH

My other passion / addiction is family history research. Do you want to add some branches and leaves to your family tree? Or maybe you want to know answers to specific questions like “where did Grandfather Bob serve in the war?”; “when did Great Gran Jemima first come to Australia?”; or “are there any convicts in the family?". I absolutely love finding out more about who people are and where they came from!

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CASE FILES

If you would like to see some of the House Detective cases I’ve cracked previously, you can read some of my previous house history case files.

They will give you a good idea of the amount and types of information I can uncover for your house!

View Case Files


SHOP

Celebrate Brisbane’s history in style by printing vintage images on cool stuff!

Shop for awesome old images and vintage maps printed on a range of great products!

Images include Brisbane maps, suburb maps, real estate flyers and photos of old houses. Have them printed and framed to decorate your wall, or print them on T-shirts, cushions, mugs, books, notepads, phone cases, tablet cases and much, much more!

They make the perfect personalised gift for yourself or someone else!

BUY HISTORICAL BRISBANE MAPS & PICS


REVIEWS

  • Kerry, "Willowbrook"

    Thank you Marianne for completing the House History for our family’s property. I was beyond impressed with the calibre of your research and the effort that went into the final product. The way the house history was presented makes a valuable keepsake for our future generations. We appreciate, not just the property insights but the reflections on life at the time and associated local history that made the whole story come together. Your trips to librarys and museums, and your efforts to get in touch with past owners were all very much appreciated and in true detective style you were able to find some facinating facts, documents and photographs that we would have never found. You’ve created a real treasure of information for us to keep. The books were very special at Christmas.

  • Jo, Morningside

    I was incredibly happy with the results of the research The House Detective undertook on our house. I cried when I read some of the stories that had been collected. It was lovely to know that the same family that built the house lived in it and loved it for over half a century. It was interesting as well to reflect on how few people owned the house for the first 80 or so years, and then how many had owned the house in the last 20 - perhaps an indicator of how we now view houses as investments rather than homes for life. The House Detective is a lovely person and is very knowledgeable. She went above and beyond with the research on our home and we are very happy to recommend her to you!

  • Russ & Anne, Corinda

    Marianne recently researched the history of our Queenslander in Corinda. We are extremely impressed by the depth of the information she uncovered about the area as well as our home which included numerous maps and archival photos. The information was beautifully presented to us in a hardcover book with digital copy. We are very happy to recommend Marianne for her thoroughness and professional expertise.

  • BRENNA, HOLLAND PARK

    Thank you again - we often sit and read snippets to the kids about our beloved home. Very surreal reading about her former life and thinking one day we will be another page in her story. She’s a real gem and we can’t thank you enough.

  • Holly, Newmarket

    Awesome thank you Marianne. I am so delighted with the research. The scandalous couple article is amazing! You have left no stone unturned even tracking down the pressed metal catalogue! Impressive research! Can't wait to see if the mystery Enoggera Historical Society pic is mine. The photos you unearthed in the report are amazing! Well done and thanks again.

  • Tracey, Wellington Point

    Thanks Marianne for the recent research of our house Coogee, it was an exciting journey traveling back in time with you. We had been given some publications with conflicting information and it is lovely to have the story laid out properly and in the beautiful book you presented us with. Thank you again for your wonderful service it was a pleasure working with you and I can highly recommend your services to anyone wishing that their walls could talk!

  • Kaye & Mike, Stafford

    Thank you SO much Marianne that is absolutely fantastic!!!!!! That is brill and definitely additional information to what we had or knew, especially seeing the aerials etc!! Thank you so much, exactly what we were looking for, how fascinating! It's filled in gaps and given us more to go fwd with perhaps down the track with a local historical society etc - I think I need to read and process again your fabulous research !!

  • Jacqi, Salisbury

    Mum was so excited to hear everything that you had found out! Of course I am interested in the history for myself, and the kids will be interested when they are old enough, but it is Mum's passion :-) You did such a lovely job of putting it together, along with the photographs of people who had lived here, which I didn't expect, so it is very special. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put in to it.

  • Rob, Fortitude Valley

    Everyone loves the work so far, I printed out a copy to make it easier to read and framed the title and photo for Christmas and my partner was very impressed with it all as were the kids, visitors etc. Also lots of people equally impressed in a job called the House Detective – creates many conversations….