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Learning is a treasure which accompanies its owner everywhere - Chinese proverb

ESSENTIAL RESOURCES FOR SUCCESS

TREASURE HUNTING METAL DETECTING

FAMILY HISTORY GENEALOGY

DAVID VILLANUEVA

Treasure Hunter; Author; Family Historian

VILLANUEVA FAMILY TREE (CLICK SHIELD)

EMAIL: david@truetreasurebooks.com

PUBLISHED TITLES

FIND PRODUCTIVE SITES <> PRACTICAL MAP READING <> UNCOVER LOCAL HISTORY <> DOCUMENT AND ARCHIVE RESEARCH <> WORKING WITH AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS <> EASY WAYS TO GAIN SEARCH PERMISSION

Site research, it seems, is one of the more neglected aspects of our hobby. Why should one field be productive of finds year after year and yet the next field be totally barren? The answer is past human activity, and David Villanueva shows in this book simple ways, through map and document research, how to locate such activity. The methods are clearly explained and often require no more than an hour or two spent at the local library or on the Internet.

And, as an added bonus, farmers are far more likely to grant search permission if an approach is made to them armed with documents detailing the past history of their land. In fact, one chapter of the book is devoted to ways of gaining land to search.

Site Research contains 160 full colour pages divided into 20 chapters, profusely illustrated with examples of maps and documents, and examples of finds resulting from the suggested research methods. Although written mainly for detectorists, this book will also be of interest and help to fieldwalkers, local historians and archaeologists.

David Villanueva has over 30 years of experience in metal detecting and research, and is a regular contributor to Treasure Hunting magazine. He has been responsible for seven reported finds of Treasure, and has built up a collection of other coins and artefacts that would be the envy of many.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced detectorist, within a short while of owning this book and applying its lessons, you will start to acquire more productive sites and as a result start to make better finds.

Chapter titles: * Using Archives, Libraries & Computers * County Maps * Ordnance Survey Maps * Practical Map Reading * Town Plans * Road Maps * Road, River, Canal & Railway Construction Maps * Enclosure & Tithe Maps * Estate Maps * Sea Charts * Aerial Photographs, Maps & Surveys * Local Histories * Guide to County Histories * Domesday Book * Gaining Search Permission * Search Agreements * Living with the Treasure Act * Code of Practice * Bibliography & Sources

"I have enjoyed working on this book and feel that I have personally learnt a lot from it, even though I purchased my first metal detector in 1971 and have been in the hobby for many years."

Greg Payne, Editor

"I have just received my copy of the new book Site Research by David Villanueva. This book is a cracker for all of us as the longer that I am in this hobby the more I have a thirst for more data. The new folks to the hobby will find it's a way to advance their knowledge in a short time. The illustrations are on a par with Benet's [a superb colour finds catalogue] and there is an insight when it comes to doing the homework prior to going on a dig is a must. Computer sites for data are also included and pictures of old maps from centuries past are very interesting. Well I think that I have said enough to wet the appetite of those who want to get the best out of the hobby. It certainly won't break the bank at £20 and there is always the Xmas list."

JBM, Bristol

"I just would like to say the book is fantastic, you have done a good job and it's a great help."

Paul Kelly

Greenlight Publishing:

250mm x 190mm, 160 pages, 20.00 GB Pounds post free

ISBN 1 897738 285

AUTHOR'S SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!

Buy SITE RESEARCH and choose either:

The Successful Treasure Hunter's Essential Dowsing Manual

(SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS)

Metal Detecting Genealogy and Family History

(SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS)

ABSOLUTELY FREE!

CLICK ON EITHER OF THE ABOVE BUTTONS TO GET TWO GREAT BOOKS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

ALTERNATIVELY

SEND A STERLING CHEQUE DRAWN ON A UK BANK, OR A BRITISH POSTAL ORDER FOR 20.00 GB POUNDS TO:

TRUE TREASURE BOOKS,

43 SANDPIPER ROAD, WHITSTABLE, KENT CT5 4DP

PLEASE STATE WHICH FREE TITLE YOU WOULD LIKE

The Successful Treasure Hunter's Essential Dowsing Manual

& Metal Detecting Genealogy and Family History

ARE BOTH AVAILABLE SEPARATELY (and also as E-BOOKS). PLEASE SEE BELOW

The Successful Treasure Hunter's Essential Dowsing Manual

How to Easily Develop Your Latent Skills to find Treasure in Abundance

(True Treasure Books, 2005)

Will guide you every inch of the way to:

Make your own dowsing instruments FOR FREE and get dowsing in no time

Save time on fruitless searching and find treasure fast

Improve your metal detector’s performance, without upgrading your detector

MULTIPLY YOUR FINDS RATE BY TWENTY-FIVE TIMES OR MORE

...and much MORE!

Soft cover, 210mm x 146mm, 60 pages ISBN: 0-9550325-0-4 £5.00 post free

SOME FEEDBACK RECEIVED:

"It's taken me a while but I thought I'd write to you to let you know of my experience after reading your book which I purchased last year.

After quickly reading through it I thought how interesting it seemed, but reserved judgement until I could put something into practice.

It wasn't until two weeks later that I remembered that I hadn't "had a go" at the general idea, so the night before our club search I got the map out and looked for a pendulum.

I couldn't find anything suitable so picked up the first thing from my desk tray which happened to be two safety pins. I hooked one into the other and let the other pin "dangle" to give some kind of feedback.

I was amazed to find that I received a reaction from a certain part of the area on the map.

The next day I found that we were detecting on the other side of this area and come lunchtime nothing of interest had been found. I jokingly said that I wasn't surprised as the treasure was over on the other side. The site secretary said that the only available part of this area was a small part which was stubble and the rest had been set, but I was welcome to have a go on the stubble.

Feeling I had nothing to lose I started detecting on this area and after a couple of hours had found nothing. Then I unearthed what looked like a large ornate ear-ring with a heavy hook.

This turned out to be a very handsome Tudor silver gilt cap hook, declared as treasure which has since been disclaimed and returned to me.

My find was then followed by others finding a literal "hoard" of Tudor buckles in one area, probably a dozen in all.

Needless to say we returned the following week and after showing the farmer my previous find I went straight onto the field and my first signal was a 9ct gold gents signet ring.

Others unearthed a Mary Groat, a large Roman fantail brooch and then the best of all one of our club members found a Roman Gold Aureus.

I cannot say for sure but either the safety pin or myself certainly picked up on something that night!"

Regards, John R.

Please click here for more information : http://www.truetreasure.co.uk

METAL DETECTING GENEALOGY AND FAMILY HISTORY:

How to Find Heirlooms and Ancestors Through the Metalwork They Left Behind

(True Treasure Books, 2006)

In the British Isles, for well over one thousand years many people from all walks of life have been putting their names and other personal details on a variety of metal objects. Initially there was a need to identify or be identified and from around the seventeenth century an increasing need to advertise trades or professions. In addition the crown, the armed forces and civilian institutions increasingly awarded medals and badges for service and merit. The result is that there are thousands upon thousands of metal objects around engraved with personal details, any of which your ancestor, regardless of how humble, may have made, used or been awarded.

In the United Kingdom (UK), there are some 30,000 metal detectorists busily unearthing this ancestral metalwork, which is not only bringing to light countless thousands of lost or discarded items but spawning studious research and volumes of new and revised literature on the history and ancestry behind these metal objects. So, often with little more effort than a visit to you local library, you can get your hands on extensive catalogues of potential ancestors with more genealogical and family history information than you will generally find in church records. And remember these metal records date back as far as 750 years before parish records began.

I will not only guide you swiftly to these sources but also describe a number of ways that you can get your hands on the objects themselves, whether they have been lost, discarded or sold and often at little or no cost. If you have ever handled an object your ancestor made, used or was awarded, you will know what a thrill it is. You will be in direct contact with REAL family history, not just a scribbled note in a document. In this book I will guide you every step of the way to discover:

The types of metal objects your ancestors may have made, used or been awarded.

The extensive sources of information on these artefacts and the people associated with them, many of which will be found by visiting your local library.

New lines of enquiry that can take your ancestry back into the mists of time.

How and where you can locate the real antique items connected with your ancestors and experience the joy of owning and displaying tangible family history.

How finders of these objects can learn more about the personalities associated with their finds and the artefacts themselves.

How finders can contact family historians interested in their finds (even some of those in the scrap box) to the benefit of all parties.

How to trace the family history of your finds or your own for that matter.

Soft cover, 210mm x 146mm, 60 ISBN 0-9550325-2-0 £4.97 post free

SOME FEEDBACK RECEIVED:

"Brilliant, very interesting read, delighted!"

New Book

PERMISSION IMPOSSIBLE

Metal Detecting Search Permission Made Easy

ISBN-13: 978-0-9550325-3-0

David Villanueva has over 30 years of experience in metal detecting and research, in Britain and is a regular contributor to Treasure Hunting magazine. He has been responsible for seven reported finds of Treasure, and has built up a collection of other coins and artefacts that would be the envy of many. But EVERY ONE of those finds has started from either getting SEARCH PERMISSION or legally avoiding that obligation.

Where can you legally search without permission? How do you find the landowner to ask for search permission? How do you persuade the landowner to give their permission? These are the questions on the lips of many participants in the hobby. David draws on his experience at successfully and painlessly gaining search permission on a wide range of sites both as an individual detectorist and club leader and reveals ALL in this fact-packed book.

Chapter Titles:

INTRODUCTION
THIS LAND IS MINE
MAKE FOR THE COAST
SEARCH AND RECOVERY SERVICE
TRACKING DOWN LANDOWNERS
THE PLANNERS
WRITING A LETTER AND GETTING IT READ
PROPERLY ADDRESSED?
CODE OF PRACTICE AND CODE OF CONDUCT
SEARCH AGREEMENTS
VISITING CARDS
PUBLIC LAND
THE BLANKET APPROACH
THE PROJECT APPROACH
ON THE MOVE
THE SERVICES OFFER
THE SUBSIDY APPROACH
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READING
APPENDIX: MAJOR UK LANDOWNERS

SOME FEEDBACK RECEIVED:

Just a quick note to say I purchased your "Permission Impossible" booklet earlier this year. I read it many times, decided on the "project approach", did my research and spent some time finding the actual landowner. Within 2 days of her receiving my letter, research info and maps, she had invited me to the farm for a chat.

The upshot is that I now have my first land – 200 acres of pasture / arable, the farmhouse being a 1620 listed building– with a roman road passing through it, "Camp" marked on one field on an 1803 O/S map, a roman villa recently identified by aerial view in an adjacent field, springs, a Saxon hillfort nearby and significant finds on nearby land over the last decade.

So – thanks, who knows if I’d have secured this if I’d not followed your advice, and if I find anything interesting you’ll be the first to know!

Cheers Paul

True Treasure Books:

210mm x 144mm, 52 pages, 4.97 GB Pounds post free

NEW AND PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED BOOKS AND MAPS

CLICK HERE

ARTICLES PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED

FREE ARTICLES

(ADOBE ACROBAT -- PDF)

YOU MAY DOWNLOAD ANY OF THE ARTICLES Underlined FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. PLEASE EMAIL ME: david@truetreasurebooks.com IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS PUBLICATION OR ARE DESPERATE TO GET YOUR HANDS ON ANY OF THE OTHER ARTICLES.

'To the Manor Drawn' (The Searcher, January and March, 1997)

Searching a deserted medieval manor house site.

'Dowsing for Detectorists', Part I: The L-Rod (The Searcher, November 1997)

Making and learning to use the L-Rod.

'Dowsing for Detectorists', Part II: Finding the Target (The Searcher, December 1997) Using the L-Rod to find buried metal objects.

'Dowsing for Detectorists', Part III: The Pendulum (The Searcher, February 1998)

Pendulums and learning to use them.

'Dowsing for Detectorists', Part IV: X Marks the Spot (The Searcher, March 1998)

Map dowsing.

'Dowsing for Detectorists', Part V: But Not as We Know It (The Searcher, June 1998)The Electroscope.

'A Riparian Tale' (The Searcher, May 1999) Finds along a river bank.

'Another Day, Another Manor' (The Searcher, April 2000) Finds from another deserted medieval manor house site.

'Gold for the Gods' (The Searcher, November 2000) Finding a scattered hoard of gold staters.

'Long-Range Locators' (from The Successful Treasure Hunter's Essential Dowsing Manual, 2000)

'Gathering in the Past' (The Searcher, September 2001) Finds from a hundred meeting site.

'Metal Detecting and Family History' (Family Tree Magazine, April/May 2005) A glossary of metal detecting finds relating to family history.

'Detecting Family History' (Treasure Hunting, January 2006) A glossary of metal detecting finds relating to family history.

'Hopping for More Finds' (Treasure Hunting, September 2006) A short history of hop-picking in Britain and great finds made on hop-farms.