Documenting Finds

[culbert5704]

I just ordered my first metal detector and while I wait I was trying to get my ducks in a row. I am not a very detailed person, but would like to really do a good job cataloging items and digs. Do most of you keep track of digs? How do you document them? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Kent

 

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[vpnavy]

I keep a little logbook on (brief description) of my finds - I searched

and found a bunch of threads on this subject. Here are just two...

• 
  [*=6]Who Keeps records of their finds? (Dec 22, 2008)
  [*=6]Do You Record Your Finds? (Jan 03, 2008)

 

[dfx-kevin]

I write simply date n place on white coin holders for coins n you can get a log book at the bookstore if your particular, if not a regular notebook will do-- but won't last as long mind you make sure you get a pen that is acid free so it won't bleed or burn through paper over time

 

[fyrffytr1]

I take digital photos of my finds and keep them in files sorted by site and date on my computer. As for the finds themselves, The really good ones go in a frame dedicated to that particular site and the rest go in plastic tackle boxes with the dividers in them, again dedicated to that site.

 

[culbert5704]

I have collected coins and currency for years, so I have lots of the coin holders. I like the idea of photographing finds. It would be easier to catalog that way. Don't even have my detector yet and I am trying to catalog items that I am yet to find. Might be puting the cart in front of the horse right now.

 

[Keppy]

I have been in this for 40+ years ...AND have never kept any type of record ..... Never had to ... Never wanted to ... Just extra work i do not need...... If it was good i sold it if not i scraped it.... Any real good finds i have had it is right here in my head ... So i don't have to put on paper or in a computer.....

 

[Silver Searcher]

Just like Keppy said, I keep all my records in my head that way nobody can find them, not even me

SS

 

[Fletch88]

I have been in this for 40+ years ...AND have never kept any type of record ..... Never had to ... Never wanted to ... Just extra work i do not need...... If it was good i sold it if not i scraped it.... Any real good finds i have had it is right here in my head ... So i don't have to put on paper or in a computer.....

I kind of like Keppys way! That's what's relaxing about detecting, since everything I do at my job has to be documented to death. Many of the methods listed above are great. If you prefer a more modern way theres a pretty cool app by Minelab that you can document finds with photos, location, etc., etc. I've used it for a couple months and I'm finding that I like more and more.

 

[CASPER-2]

been detecting since 1975 - age 12
my first year - getting to learn my machine - did not find much - could have written down what I found on a small cocktail napkin
in 1976 - I was lucky and got into some good areas and started logging my finds in a small note pad every year
I still do this to this day - I take pics of good hunts finds too now and put them in albums on here http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/members/29748-albums.html
and on flickr
some guys have made up computer programs to log finds - some will give them to you - you can post for those and maybe get some replys

 

[Newfiehunter]

To each his own about keeping logbooks, but I tend to pay more attention to detail....I have two logbooks where I keep my finds listed in. For me, it is important to recall where a certain item was found. Every old coin that I've found is in it and where it was located along with sidenotes. If you are in this hobby long enough and make many good finds, you'll lose track where certain items was found. If that is important to you, then do it....Still have my first finds from 1990 in those logbooks and often I go back in a nostalgic way and remember when it was found. Keeping tabs on what you find is up to you, whether it is in a logbook or on a computer. I'd recommend it. It is kinda like writing your own historical account of your metal detecting adventures! HHing!

 

[Rawhide]

I dont record city park finds as they have little educational value. In the boonies i looks for other than coin objects out of place. Those you may wish to get photos during the dig, a measurement of how deep, a compass heading via a compass placed near the hole with a picture. You also may wish to have a few phone numbers or emails ready if you should make a major find. While most of us would never turn in our old bullets and belt buckles to a qualified archy.

So if you find bones, ancient pottery, crystal skulls that give you majical powers. It is best to take photos of measurements, gps, and place back in hole and turn over to local universty or state archy. Bones also require you notify the police.

Hope this helps. Laws and rules vary by state depending on fed, state, blm, and even private propoerty. You also have National Forrest and Reservation, to include Preserves that prohibit digging any digging at all. Now I have really just confused you, relax. Use common sense, dont be afraid to talk with a park ranger, or care taker. The fines and penaltys can be stiff, but knowing what you need to document and where is very important. Sorry if I went a little in depth here. No one told me all this when I started, I found out the hard way.

 

[d2]

I mainly search for Civil War relics/artifacts. There are 5 or so places that we hunt fairly regularly and I have taken a hard backed notebook type book and have drawn off the area's that we hunt and numbered sections of it. When I find a button, bullet or other item I take a small zip lock bag and a permanent magic marker and write on the bag what is in it like, .58 caliber 3 ringer then the date, then the name of the place and the number of the section I found it in. I have boxes of stuff and that is how I keep up with where I found it. I mainly do it for the kids and grand kids. I can pull out a bag look at the name and number and then look at the book, I keep it with my plunder, and see when and where it came from. Sorta aggravating but I am glad I started doing it...d2

 

[Alan Applegate]

I guess I'm just not anal retentive enough to keep track! I do count up what I have at the end of the day, but I don't keep a record of it. I have been known to use my pocket GPS to mark interesting waypoints, but those get erased once I hunt the area.

Imagine this: I have about 200 pounds of pennies. Think how many sheets of paper it would take to document where I found each one?