Key Words in Papers and Magazines

[rogueaviation]

When you folks are researching caches and other forms of old treasures at the library, what are some good keywords to use in the searches.

I've tried coins, cache, and money, but haven't had much luck online in the archives from my county and surrounding counties.

Thanks for the help!

--Matt
Southwest Michigan

 

[hoser]

Good idea. I for one have never really researched written articles. I have however done a lot of old archive photo research at the library. Some photos can be a real eye opener.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Try this , for old local newspapers that have been digitized for key-word search : Key word "Picnic" and /or "grove". Because often time, back before the 1920s/30s, it was common for all the townsfolk to go out to country picnics. In recurring "groves" of various names. Eg.: Fraternal lodge picnics, church picnics, Easter, Mother's day, etc...... In the era before radio & TV, it was common for almost everyone to do Sunday picnics and ballgames.

A lot of times these "groves" just got erased under urban sprawl. Or perhaps they simply gave way to what became modern day county parks (and are hence "ho hum old news"). But occasionally you can find reference to ones where .... they just faded, & ceased all picnic usage, by , say, 1920. And are to this day nothing but a cow pasture, forgotten and not mentioned in any history books.

The trouble is that they will often just say "such & such grove" (a ranchowner's name, or a creek's name, etc...) but don't give an exact location. So you'll have your work set out for you to cross-reference to pin down exact sites.

 

[rogueaviation]

Those are great ideas! Thanks Tom!

 

[Iggyks]

I haven't hit paydirt yet doing this but try ballfield/ball field, fair, carnival and the hard to spell chautauqua which was an outdoor event featuring speakers, portrayers of historical figures etc. But I am sure there were vendors as well.

 

[rogueaviation]

Those are great. I would have never guessed Chautauqua...

Thank you!
-Matt

 

[jimther]

This forum thread is kinda related and may be helpful. I posted this one in 2019… https://metaldetectingforum.com/ind...-possible-detecting-spots.270918/post-3075394