Winter Research Campaign

Ever year it comes. It's completely inevitable, so get used to it. Sadly, the winter means that MD'ing season is over for many enthusiasts across the country. The ground is frozen too hard to dig, snow is covering everything, and temperatures are just too darn low to stand more than a few minutes of swinging your machine. So what do you do?

Sure you you can browse your favorite online forum (FMDF) and enjoy all the finds from those lucky enough to live far enough South to MD year round. Or maybe you can update your MD finds database in your fabulous iDetect software, or however else you keep track of your finds. Making charts, comparing month to month numbers and all that jazz.

But what about doing something proactive, that will increase your chances of finding all that old silver coinage, relics, and other old trinkets? Yes, I'm talking about research. The winter months are a perfect chance to use the time you normally would be MD'ing, to hunt out those old areas and get the goods. That being said, I felt I'd offer you a few options to aid in your quest.

- Wikipedia.org
I'm sure many of you are familiar with Wikipedia and it's vast database of knowledge. And yeah, it's true that there are many things found within it's pages that are unverified... but odds on, your town's history is pretty safely rooted in fact. Just entering in your town/city name as a search inquiry will be all you need to start learning. If it's a well written history, it may provide outside links to other informational resources, and a bibliography of books used.
LINK

- Local Library
As I lead on with Wikipedia, books. Books are research gold. Most local libraries have sections dedicated to State and local history. Just walk in and ask for finger pointing in the right direction. You can't go wrong with this option, but it may take a little time to get down to what you want.

- Local Government Webpage
Most town and municipalities have a webpage regarding their local government. Information here usually includes things the names of local officials, tax rates, etc. But odds are you can find some sort of brief on the history of the area, and maybe a link to local historians who may also be able to help you in your quest.

- Sanborn Maps
Trying to find old home sites or gathering places that have long since been forgotten? Well tread on over to the online version of Sanborn Maps. Here you can view and print maps from your town, and surrounding towns dated back many many years, and get a feel for what the place used to look like. An invaluable tool when wanting to locate those old items that make your 1929 Wheatie look like a 2008 Memorial.
LINK
Username: proquest
Password: welcome