CATTLE BRANDS
Genealogists of families with ties to the
As time has passed, the ownership of these ranges has been divested into smaller and smaller parcels and to other ownership. In many cases the brands of former ranchers have been lost or fallen into disuse whereby the descendants of the original family may not know the existence of the family brand. In many locals brand books have been printed to aid in the identification of stock as it passed through commercial channels. These were published by state or local stockmen’s associations or by local law enforcement agencies. However in the absence of such records it is necessary to use other means to determine the brands of various individuals.
In
It should be noted that in many cases the cattle are listed as having several brands. This is not unusual because if a herd of cattle were sold, the new owner would naturally place his brand upon the animal to identify it from that of the original owner. Thus, through the life of an animal it could acquire a number of brands. Also, a rancher might have more than one brand for his own use. In listing the brands, there is no way of knowing from the brands listed, which is the primary brand. Also, a rancher sometimes used a different brand for his horses and I have listed these if they are known.
A list of brands using the above method was made and printed in the Roger Mills County Genealogy Journal which may be viewed at the Minnie Slief Library in Cheyenne.
P. S. Since the above article was written I have discovered that the first and original Roger Mills County Brand Book is housed at the Oklahoma Department of Libraries in Oklahoma City. The ODL is located about two blocks southwest of the State Capital Building. In the brand book is found a record of brands and their owners from 1892 to the 1950s of any rancher who cared to register his brand with the county. A researcher must sign in and be escorted to the viewing area for access to this brand book.