Investigations
Map
The History Detectives have traveled the length and breadth of the country, delving into family legends, local folklore and stories behind potentially extraordinary objects in everyday American homes, cities and small towns.
Browse the investigations on the map and see what we've revealed in your area.
Explore
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Techniques
Very Old Objects - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when examining very old objects.
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Techniques
Genealogy
Learn how to successfully investigate your family history.
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Investigations
John Adams Book
Was this book a gift from John Adams to his son?
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Investigations
Chisholm Trail
Did the Chisholm Trail really run through this small town in Texas?
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Techniques
Document Examination
How to determine authenticity and authorship of a document.
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Investigations
Koranic School Book
Why does this 200 year old schoolbook contain two translated passages from the Koran?
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Techniques
Timber Dating
Using ring sequences or radiocarbon dating.
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Investigations
Drug Smuggling Doll
What does this doll reveal about disease, death and daring during the Civil War?
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Techniques
African-American Genealogy
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Techniques
Preservation - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when preserving an item.
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Investigations
Unwed Mother's Home
Is this small medallion enough information to help a woman find her birth parents?
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Techniques
Finding Experts
How to source the correct expert to assist in an investigation.
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Techniques
Do's And Don'ts
Your definitive list of do's and don'ts when carrying out historical research.
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Investigations
Star Spangled Banner
Is this the first official copy of the national anthem?
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Investigations
Snowshoe's Mailbag
Was this the satchel Snowshoe Thompson used to deliver his mail?
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Investigations
Railroad Station
Is a disused depot the first railroad station in Texas?
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Investigations
Civil War Sabotage?
The steamship Sultana exploded one night in 1865, killing more than 1,800 people. Was the disaster a result of Civil War sabotage?
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Techniques
Appraisal Glossary
A List of useful words and phrases for Appraising.
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Investigations
Highlander Badge
Could an amateur treasure diver really have found a possible Revolutionary War artifact?
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Techniques
Genealogy - Getting Started
Step-by-step where to start guide when using genealogy.
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Investigations
Lafitte's Spyglass
Did this spyglass really belong to a fearless cutthroat pirate?
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Investigations
Sears Home
Might an Ohio couple's residence be a long-forgotten Sears home?
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Investigations
Hitler Films
Could these rusting film canisters contain unknown footage of one of the 20th century's most heinous murderers?
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Techniques
Learning From Skeletons
What we can find out from a skeleton.
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Investigations
Civil War Letters
What can these letters reveal about a racially-charged massacre on a Civil War battlefield?
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Investigations
Lost Musical Treasure
Are these fragments of a lost moment in American musical history?
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Investigations
WWI Chemical Warfare Map
Could this map be an authentic relic from a critical WWI battle?
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Techniques
Glossary
A list of useful words and phrase for carrying out historical research.
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Investigations
Space Boot
What does this odd-looking boot have to do with America's first steps in space?
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Techniques
Stones And Minerals - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when studying stones and minerals.
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Techniques
Case File: 20 Questions
Read this case file to help get your investigation started.
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Techniques
Case File: Rock n' Research
How to identify rocks.
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Techniques
Military Research - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when doing military research.
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Techniques
Case File: A Soldier's Fortune
Find out how this historian used archives when investigating his family's history.
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Investigations
General Lee's Farewell Address
Could this be a signed copy of one of the most famous documents in the history of the Civil War?
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Techniques
Census Information
How to use census records in your investigation.