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.
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Investigations
Monroe Letter
Does this letter link America's President to the high seas piracy of U.S. merchant ships in the early 1800s?
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Investigations
U.S.S Indianapolis
Are these WWII souvenirs remnants from one of Japan’s famous kamikaze attacks?
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Techniques
Photographs
Learn how to analyze your photographs.
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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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Investigations
Leopold Medal
What does this medal reveal about a top-secret American Military project during WWII?
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Techniques
Census Information
How to use census records in your investigation.
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Techniques
Building Background - Checklist
A printable 'To Do' list to use when investigating buildings
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Investigations
Birthplace Of Hip Hop
Did this Bronx apartment building give birth to a culture that now spans the globe?
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Investigations
Howard Hughes Invention
Was this oil drilling device really a Howard Hughes invention?
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Techniques
Geological Analysis
Learn how to identify probable age and origin of ceramic, stone and tile objects
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Investigations
Diana
How did this alleged lesbian autobiography escape censorship in the 1930’s?
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Investigations
Vicksburg Map
Could this mysterious map have been at the front lines of one of the most explosive battles of the Civil War?
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Techniques
Gun Timeline
A timeline of firearm history.
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Investigations
Civil War POW Photos
Were these pictures made in a Civil War prison with a home-made camera?
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Techniques
Appraisal Glossary
A List of useful words and phrases for Appraising.
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Investigations
Jim Thorpe Ticket
Is this ticket evidence of a chapter of Thorpe's career forgotten by history: as a professional basketball player?
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Investigations
Face Jug
What does this ceramic face reveal about the Middle Passage and a captive people’s search for identity?
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Investigations
Amelia Earhart Plane
Was this piece of metal ripped from one of the most famous missing planes in history?
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Techniques
Textile Analysis
How to find out more about a textile's origins.
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Techniques
Military Research
Using military records in your research.
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Techniques
Case File: Detecting Daguerreotypes
Learn more about daguerreotypes.
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Investigations
Fillmore Pardon
Did President Fillmore pardon a Native American convicted of murder?
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Investigations
Warner's Lighter
What is the connection between Harry Warner and a studio associated with the Nazi party?
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Investigations
Dueling Pistols
Were these pistols used in the last great duel on U.S. soil?
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Techniques
Appraising
Getting a valuation using an independent source or expert opinion.
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Techniques
Preservation - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when preserving an item.
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Techniques
Archives - Checklist
A printable 'To Do' list to use when using archives.
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Investigations
Philadelphia Freedom Paper
Is this document found in a flea market an original freedom paper for African-Americans?
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Techniques
Timber Dating
Using ring sequences or radiocarbon dating.
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Techniques
Genealogy
Learn how to successfully investigate your family history.
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Investigations
Revolutionary War Cannon
Is this the cannon that ignited the first battle of the Revolutionary War?
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Techniques
Written Items - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when examining written items.
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Techniques
Historical Research - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when doing historical research.
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Techniques
Tracking People - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when tracking people.
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Techniques
Genealogy - Glossary
A list of useful words to know when using genealogy.
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Investigations
Quaker Map
Did this faded map once guide slaves to freedom on the underground railroad?