Recording buildings
The group has recorded over 1700 buildings to date. For each building studied, the group produces a measured survey with plans, drawings and a written report. The originals are held in the group's own archive, and a copy is sent to the owner/occupier. With their agreement a copy is also sent to the National Monuments Record in Swindon, to become part of the national archive available for further research and study, and to the archives of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society in Leeds.
To see the list of buildings recorded by the group, click here.
To consult or obtain copies of the reports on the buildings recorded by the group, please contact either of the following archive services:
- Yorkshire Archaeological Society, Claremont, 23 Clarendon Road, Leeds LS2 9NZ, telephone 0113 245 6362, email archive@yas.org.uk
- National Monuments Record, Great Western Village, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2GZ, telephone 01793 414600.
Building Investigation
- Do you have an interesting building?
- Could we help to interpret it?
If you are interested in having a building investigated by the group, please either email the details to David Crook or print out and complete a Building Investigation Enquiry Form, and return the completed form to: David Crook, Secretary, YVBSG, 18 Sycamore Terrace, Bootham, York YO30 7DN.
You might also like to read our Guidance for Householders sheet.
Guidelines, Forms and Templates for Recording a Vernacular Building
Notes on the Recording of Vernacular Buildings
The group has compiled some Notes on the Recording of Vernacular Buildings - a set of guidelines outlining the basic method used by the Group to measure, draw and describe a building. Those who are new to recording, in particular, may find these notes (revised January 2009) useful.
Forms, templates and further guidance
Other documents which the group recommends for use when recording buildings and writing reports (including the individual forms and templates which are referred to in the Notes above) are available here for downloading in either Word or pdf format. Please see the Notes above for full details on how to use these documents.
Pre-visit guidance
Measuring and describing the building
- Building Survey Sheet (Word or pdf) - for taking notes 'in the field'
- Notes on Completing the Building Survey Sheet (Word or pdf)
- Fixtures and Fittings Recording Form (Word or pdf) - can also form part of final report
Producing the final report
Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice
Another useful document is English Heritage's publication on Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice (2006), which is available (in three parts) via the English Heritage web site:
To view some of the reports above you will need Adobe Reader:
