About Us
Welcome to In Search of History.
I’ve spent much of my life chasing down the stories that most people overlook — whether they’re buried in the soil, tucked away in old relics, or whispered through local legend. My passion has always been to recover, preserve, and share the pieces of history that connect us to those who came before.
Over the years, I’ve been part of many unique searches. One that stays with me is the hunt for artifacts from the 1950 U.S. Air Force B-50D crash right here in Warren County, Ohio — a Cold War bomber carrying a nuclear payload that went down just a few miles from where I live. Finding and documenting those fragments was more than recovery work; it was about honoring history and making sure such moments aren’t forgotten.
I’ve also followed the trails of outlaws and legends, like the unfound John Dillinger treasure said to be hidden somewhere in this region. For me, the search is never just about the “booty” — it’s about the story, the mystery, and the thrill of proving (or disproving) the legends.
Through this site, I want to share my love of:
- Colonial through Civil War artifact collecting
- Ohio Valley early settler history
- Fossil and rock discoveries
- The chase after long-standing mysteries
I also welcome your stories, your finds, and your questions. In Search of History is as much about community as it is about collecting. If you’ve uncovered a relic, chased down a rumor, or stumbled onto something worth sharing, I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s keep the search alive.
— Jerry Hoffmann
In Search of History believes an object must be found before it becomes history. Only then can it tell its story. This is what inspired me for many years. We never know what Mother Earth has hidden and we relish the thrill of finding it.
An old friend of mine, Burt Webber, once told me, “It’s not about the money, it’s about the thrill of the chase”. Our goal to share stories of uncovering history, both personally and from other like-minded folks, like you.
If you have an interesting first-person story, send it our way and we’ll post it and promote it on all of our social media for others to find and enjoy.
Happy Hunting!
