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
African American Comic Book
Did the makers of this 1950s comic book have more than romance on their minds?
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Investigations
Satelloon
Could this three-inch square of metallic material be part of America's first satellite program?
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Investigations
Geronimo Photograph
Is this photo really an image of the legendary Apache warrior Geronimo?
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Investigations
Liberty Bell Pin
Was one of America’s most iconic symbols melted down into a mere memento?
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Techniques
Archives - Checklist
A printable 'To Do' list to use when using archives.
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Techniques
Property Search
How to carry out a property search.
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Investigations
Crazy Horse Photo
Is this the only photograph of a Native American legend?
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Techniques
Oral History
Learn how to record oral or spoken history.
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Investigations
Mouse Toy
Could this tiny toy labeled 'Micky' be the original Mickey Mouse?
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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
Chisholm Trail
Did the Chisholm Trail really run through this small town in Texas?
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Investigations
Pebble in the Sand
Is this rock found on a beach a link to an ancient civilization or just another pebble in the sand?
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Investigations
Napolean's Sword
Did Napoleon bestow this sword as a gift to a brave ancestor of a St. Martinville family?
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Techniques
Forensic Anthropology
How to use a multi-disciplinary approach to uncover the secrets hidden in bones.
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Investigations
Army Muster Roll
What can a Continental Army muster roll tell us about this remarkable African-American soldier?
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Techniques
Photographs
Learn how to analyze your photographs.
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Investigations
Thomas Edison's House
Was this New Jersey home built by inventor Thomas Edison?
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Techniques
Appraisal Glossary
A List of useful words and phrases for Appraising.
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Techniques
Appraising
Getting a valuation using an independent source or expert opinion.
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Techniques
Very Old Objects - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when examining very old objects.
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Techniques
Patent Analysis
Find out the origin and detail surrounding an invention or innovation.
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Techniques
Weapon Dating
Determining the age of a weapon.
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Techniques
Gun Timeline
A timeline of firearm history.
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Investigations
Annie Oakley Coin
Was this coin a target for one of the Wild West's most popular female sharpshooters?
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Techniques
Case File: Quirky Quilts
How to look after a very old quilt.
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Techniques
African-American Genealogy
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Techniques
Genealogy
Learn how to successfully investigate your family history.
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Investigations
Lubin Photos
What do these photo albums reveal about the birth of the silver screen?
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Investigations
Seadrome
Did floating airports dot the Atlantic before modern air travel?
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Investigations
Cleveland Electric Car
What happened to the electric street car network in Cleveland?
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Techniques
Historical Research - Checklist
Printable checklist to use when doing historical research.
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Techniques
Paper Analysis
Learn how to analyze paper to determine its age and origin.
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Investigations
Charlie Parker's Saxophone
Could this be jazz legend Charlie "Bird" Parker's saxophone?
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Investigations
Bonnie & Clyde's Bullets
Are these the bullets that ended one of the most infamous crime-sprees in American history?
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Investigations
Early Monopoly
Could this be the earliest version of the world's best-selling board game?
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Techniques
Ballistics
Collecting clues and evidence from bullets and firearms.