they show topographical maps for New York State and may have your towns listed...or close by. These maps are geneally from the late 1800's to early 1900s and I have used them to find where old homesites/roads were that are no longer there. Also try your local history dept at your library and see what old maps they have. This is obviously if you are trying to find old homesites. If you want to just get out there and get some pocket change or the occasional recently lost jewelry, then parks and schools are the way to go. All depends on what you want to try to find.