About this season
A group of researchers help people to find answers to various historical questions they have, usually centering around a family heirloom, an old house or other historic object or structure. It devotes itself "to exploring the complexities of historical mysteries, searching out the facts, myths and conundrums that connect local folklore, family legends and interesting objects."
Episodes (12)
1. 3D Cuban Missile Crisis; Amos 'n Andy Record; Women's Suffrage Painting
Aired 25 June 2007 • 60 min
The fifth season begins with a portable projection screen that may have been used by President Kennedy to view spy photos during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also: an aluminum record that might contain an original recording of the “Amos 'n' Andy” program; and a painting that may have been an original portrait used in the women's suffrage movement.
2. Continental Currency; Short-Snorter; Liberty Bell Pin
Aired 2 July 2007 • 60 min
A possible Colonial-era $6 bill found by a Nebraska family; and a British 10-shilling note said to have been signed by FDR, Winston Churchill and George Patton. Also: A North Carolina woman has a pin she claims was made from metal taken from the Liberty Bell.
3. GAR Photograph; Jefferson Pledge; Dempsey Fight Bell
Aired 9 July 2007 • 60 min
A fight bell that may have been used in a Jack Dempsey boxing match; a photo that may depict white Civil War soldiers standing with two black men, all of whom are thought to be members of the Grand Army of the Republic. Also: a document that may have Thomas Jefferson's signature on it, along with a pledge that would help finance a school.
4. Atocha Spanish Silver; Ernie Pyle's Typewriter; Lucy Parsons Book
Aired 16 July 2007 • 60 min
Two bars of silver that may have been from a Spanish ship that went down off Florida; a book that might have belonged to social activist Lucy Parsons; a typewriter that may have belonged to WWII journalist Ernie Pyle.
5. Great Mexican War Posters; Muhlenberg Robe; Nora Holt Autograph Book
Aired 23 July 2007 • 60 min
Movie posters for a film that might contain footage of fighting during the Mexican Revolution; and an autograph book that may have signatures from Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge. Also: a robe that might have belonged to Gen. Peter Muhlenberg, who led troops during the American Revolution.
6. NC-4: First Across the Atlantic; Howard Hughes Crash; Civil War Balloon
Aired 30 July 2007 • 60 min
A square of fabric that may have been part of an NC-4 aircraft, which was the first to fly across the Atlantic; and an altimeter that might have been part of the XF-11 aircraft flown by Howard Hughes in 1946. Also: a piece of material that may have been part of a Civil War-era hot-air balloon designed for the U.S. Army.
7. Grace Kelly Car; Harley-Davidson Motorcycle; Civil War POW Photos
Aired 6 August 2007 • 60 min
8. Coca-Cola Trade Card; Lawrence Strike; Vicksburg Map
Aired 13 August 2007 • 60 min
9. Red Cloud Letter; '32 Ford Roadster; Cast Iron Eagle
Aired 20 August 2007 • 60 min
A 1932 Ford Roadster that may have been used in dry-lake races; a letter that may have been written by Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum to James Red Cloud of the Lakota tribe; a cast-iron eagle that might have been a decoration for a New York post office
10. Lincoln Letter; Quaker Map; U.S.S. Indianapolis
Aired 27 August 2007 • 60 min
A letter that may have been signed by Abraham Lincoln; a map that might have markings for the Underground Railroad in Ohio; and artifacts that may have been aboard the USS Indianapolis when the ship was sunk by a Japanese sub during WWII.
11. Bill Pickett Saddle; Hitler Films; McKinley Casket Flag
Aired 3 September 2007 • 60 min
A saddle that may have been owned by cowboy legend Bill Pickett; a flag that might have been draped over the casket of President William McKinley; and film cans that may contain archival footage of Nazi officials.
12. USS Thresher; Pete Gray Cartoon; Manhattan Project Letter
Aired 10 September 2007 • 60 min
The fifth season ends with documents that may be related to the USS Thresher, a nuclear sub that sank in 1963; storyboards that may be for a comic strip about one-armed baseball player Pete Gray; and handwritten documents that may pertain to the Manhattan Project during World War II.