All -

I know this is not a Miles City, or even a Custer County topic, but you all seem so helpful and knowledgible, that I thought that I would be brave and ask a question.

Earlier this month I spent a total of three days researching in Dawson County, both in the courthouse and library.

While in the library I was given the book of brands (I forgot the exact name of it, oops). Anyway I found livestock brands for three of my direct ancestors.

My question has to do with how they would have been said, or referred to, in talking. Now, I have read the rules, but that only helped me with one. The second one, I have narrowed down to one of two things, and the third, well I think it is one of those that only the brand holder might know.

If anyone one out there is an expert in this matter, and has a copy of Montana brands, I would greatly appreciate some input.

The brandholders are:

In Dawson County: John Jay Southwick - "Half circle J", (my guess)
James Coram - I've got NO idea, and
In Ravalli County: Ulric Southwick - "Five standing O (or zero?)"

Thank you in advance, Diana Crippen, nee Southwick

Go online to Cowboy Showcase adn there is a section that will help you learn how to read brands or call our local brand inspectors

The local brand inspectors are all wonderful! Gary Anderson I know for sure would help you out.

Stacie Miller

Thanks for the help. I will try and call Gary next week.

Not one of the places that I have found, either online or in a book, have helped me beyond John Jay's "half circle J". There was never an illustration comparable to Ulric's 5 with an O or zero to its upper right, attached to the top of the 5. And as for James, perhaps only HE knows what that was. It kinda looks like an apple to me, in a way.

Diana

[This message has been edited by Diana Crippen (10/29/2010)]

Could you copy and paste the brands in a reply, I am sure someone on here could probably read them.

A brand is usually read top to bottom, left to right. Figure brands can be more difficult to read as in: @ Then there are the ones with unique names like: ( ) are quarter circles, ^ is a rafter, a quarter circle under and connected to the bottom of the figure makes it rocking,and if the figure is inverted it can be called walking. Bars are bars and / is slash. These are just some quickies for you to work with.

I believe figural brands cannot be registered unless you are re-registering an existing brand. Which is too bad, because some of those were great. Still, I can see how they cause problems in reading and duplicating.

I will try to do as you ask. I only have photo copies from the book, and haven't scanned them into my PC since we got back home.

I was just hoping one of you would have the book, and be able to look them up based on the names and counties I gave.

you can go online and have the Montana Historical Society research a brand for you it use to cost $5.00

If the J is resting over an open half circle, my guess is the brand would be the Rocking J. I base this on my experience growing up on an eastern Montana ranch and having spent some time partying in Bozeman.

A guess on the 5 O brand would be "Hanging 5 oh". I'm guessing this was long before the tv series with Jack Lord.

[This message has been edited by Dave Golterman (10/30/2010)]

[This message has been edited by Dave Golterman (10/30/2010)]

Dave -

The half circle is above the J in that brand, that is why I guessed half circle J.

As for the brand with the 5, I was unsure. I knew it would be a hanging 5, if it (the 5) were on the right side, but I didn't know about the other way around.

Diana

[This message has been edited by Diana Crippen (10/30/2010)]

If it is over the J, it would be my experience that it is a quarter circle J.... My mom has one similar to it. Your local brand office is most definitely the place to go however to get the rest of them, there is one in every town! Usually located close to your sales yard, or with in the police station. Good luck in your search.

Molly is right I have always wondered why it wouldn't be half circle, but it isn't it is quarter circle. Also in some counties I think the Sherrif is also the brand inspector.

It won't be of help with the original questions, but this is fun to look through. I haven't looked but it could be there are more available through google books.

Montana Stockgrowers Association, BRAND BOOK OF THE MONTANA STOCK GROWERS' ASSOCIATION FOR 1903.
http://books.google.com/b...&q&f=false

Stacie -

Talked to Gary today, and he was a great help, as you said he would be.

He said Ulric Southwick's was "5 standing O" (oh).

John Jay Southwick's was "quarter circle over J".

As for James Coram's we might never know. I will scan them in, and try and show them to you all.

Diana

[This message has been edited by Diana Crippen (11/3/2010)]