Use this checklist before considering any field visit. It helps separate a compelling story from a documented lead. Save or print this page to work through it.
1. Define the claim
- [ ] Write down who, what, when, and where the story alleges.
- [ ] Find the earliest version you can and note its date and author.
- [ ] Mark details added in later retellings.
- [ ] Identify what evidence would disprove the claim.
2. Find records
- [ ] Search contemporary newspapers, land records, probate files, maps, and relevant archives.
- [ ] Record the repository, collection, item identifier, and page or image number for every useful source.
- [ ] Compare at least two independent accounts where possible.
- [ ] Note the absence of evidence without treating it as proof that nothing happened.
3. Test geography
- [ ] Compare historical maps with modern maps, accounting for changed place names and boundaries.
- [ ] Check landforms, roads, rivers, and survey dates.
- [ ] Record uncertainty in map scale, location, and interpretation.
4. Assess access and preservation
- [ ] Identify the present owner and managing authority.
- [ ] Check current permission, permit, archaeological, and reporting rules.
- [ ] Do not disturb a suspected protected object or site.
- [ ] Make a written go/no-go decision and preserve your research notes.
For methods behind these steps, read How to Research Treasure Legends and Historical Research for Treasure Hunting. The Library of Congress guide to primary sources explains how to put a record in context and compare it with other evidence.
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