research help

[traviswells]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone could give me some tips on how i can research some new spots to hunt. I have been going up to my local historical museum but i'm just not sure what the best thing is to look for is i have mainly been hunting old houses but would like to find some old picnic groves or just some older spots like church socials and that kind of thing. just if anyone could give me some ideas on how you go about researching new sites and what your methods are to finding new promising sites to hunt. i would love to hear how some of you guys go about it.


Thanks Travis

 

[Bugar In. USA]

T. I been talkin to the ol' guys at the coffee shop, and at the hardware, an, barber shop, costs me few cups o coffee, but carry a small scratch pad and pen, they usually more reliable than the books or pictures, they got more details as to who bought the property, or where the dirt was hauled when they moved the ol' tavern n such, give it a try, It's usually lotta fun too.

 

[cwilk]

My research normally consists of country drives and talking with as many old timers as possible. If you say I'm a metal detectorists to just about anybody they will normally start suggesting spots. Set guidelines. Tell them what you're looking for: modern sites, old sites, fields, beaches etc. Satellite maps are also fun to look over. You might just spot something worth checking out.

Chris

 

[lazyaussie]

history books are a great source of info also old news papers are to if you can find them. old people can be great but can also be vague on the exact area ( i"v been lead on a couple of wild goose chases by oldies ). using you eyes when out & about is also a good way of finding spots to hunt look for very old trees-hedges-rock walls-overgrown gardens-flowering bulbs growing in open areas. when walking look for areas with lots of old glass-pottery-roofing slate-bricks & large house shaped patches of dead grass.
google earth is a great resource to- just look around the area you live in bet ya find some nice looking spots to hunt.

 

[Uncle Willy]

The library is an excellent source perusing old newspaper records and old copies of City Directories that show stuff that ain't there anymore and where it was. The religious section of old newspapers is another gold mine showing where and when outdoor baptisms took place, church socials and outdoor rummage sales, church picnics, and a host of other things. The old entertainment pages show where all kinds of indoor and outdoor events took place and where old outdoor skating rinks existed.( an excellent source of coins ), carnivals, flea markets, drive-in movies, etc. I could go on but that's a start.

Bill

 

[dahut]

... and read the old newspapers.
But I've found the best sites are the ones that people I speak with put me onto. Once they are on your side, it's usually no problem to maintain permission.