Using the Links

Little did I know that when I started this blog in late 2007 that it would take on a life of it's own or what a huge part Ron would play in keeping it going. I wanted to have a place treasure hunters could come to for useful information and ideas. There were very few treasure blogs at the time and some that were to be found left you with nothing but questions and empty promises of providing information at a further date and time.

I wanted our readers to have tools to make their search for treasure successful, so I started placings helpful links to the left side of the blog page. Over the years though, I have noticed that people don't realize they are even there or how helpful they can be. There are links to map archives, genealogy projects, treasure forums, etc. I try on a regular basis to go through them to make sure they are current or add new ones that seem useful.

 I have found that using old survey plats to find trails, creek crossings, buildings, etc has become a huge part of my success in finding treasure sites. These plats can show you how rivers have changed course over the years or even old fort sites. You don't know what you have been missing until you start using them.

For the Oklahoma treasure hunter I have a link that will take you to a listing of counties so that you can find the township and range for the area you are searching. You will need these to find the correct survey plat. http://www.okgenweb.org/okprojects/maps-dot.html

After you have the township and range you can click on the government land office website link. http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/  Once you are at the website click on "search surveys". They will then ask you for your zip code. After you enter that it will take you to where you can begin your search. There are a number of states you can search listed so just click on the one you need and then enter the township and range. Hit the search button. It will the give you choices of which surveys are available to view. I'm fond of the original surveys, so that is what I choose most often. A couple of options that it will then give you are the plat images or the field notes images.

The field notes are very useful in figuring out if that rock with carvings on it you found out in the middle of nowhere is just a survey marker. The field notes normally described the size and shape of the rocks they used. They will also note "witness" trees as well. I can't stress enough how valuable the survey plats and field notes will become in doing your research.

If our readers have any suggestions for helpful websites please feel free to e-mail us the link and we will add it to the ever growing list. Stay safe and good luck hunting.