The estray records were kept by the local jp. when stock was found estray, it was up to the person finding the animal to notify the jp and record a description. if the animal were not claimed within a certain amount of time, the finder could legally claim the animal. one reason it was done was so they would not be accused of stealing. the claiment also had to pay the finder for feed use. the estray records are useful as they record who was where when. I posted on Ardrew last year about the estray records I found at the Drew Archives. they are very old and date back to when Lincoln Co was still part of Drew. Rebecca ---------- > From: Jann Woodard <jann.woodard@eudoramail.com> > To: ARDREW-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [ARDREW-L] Appraisements > Date: Sunday, January 03, 1999 3:19 PM > > Rebecca or anyone else----please explain these estray records!! >