It's a common fallacy that researching your home's past only serves to pique your interest; it doesn't help you figure out who lived there or unearth stories of scandal or intrigue. But knowing the past of your house might be more useful than that.
There are very real and structural reasons to know not just who lived there but also when it was built and by whom, what it is made of, where it has been altered, and how the property was utilized if you own a listed building or reside in a conservation area. Together, these factors determine the building's historic value, and as the owner, being aware of these details may be beneficial, especially when it comes to repairs, modifications, and upkeep.