We present the first determination of fundamental
parameters (positions, reddenings, distances, ages and kinematics) for
a sample of 22 open clusters in the solar vicinity. A systematic search for unknown open clusters using the astrometric
and photometric data included in the Tycho2 catalogue has resulted
in the identification of several candidates. In this work, we
introduce 11 of the most promising open cluster candidates. The
reality of the stellar aggregates is supported by the analysis of
proper motions, colour-magnitude diagrams, stellar density
distributions, and by the visual inspection of the Digitised Sky
Survey (DSS) plates. The proper motion data included in the Tycho2 catalogue
has also allowed us to identify members in 11 open clusters
for which no information, besides their
positions and estimates of their apparent diameters, was previously
available. Reddenings, distances and ages were determined for most objects
using colour-magnitude diagrams for cluster members, built using
the photometry included in Tycho2, complemented by spectral types
found in the literature. We find that the majority of the
aggregates are nearby (closer than ~500 pc) open clusters.