Orginial Documents for the Mattson Family Ranch in Montana

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Everything and Anything pertaining to our family history is fair game for this blog. Let no stone be unturned, no story untold and no document not displayed and archived. Tonight I'd like to show you three documents from our family's ranch near Piniele Montana.

This first document (click to enlarge) is the filing for the homestead. I believe the date is October 13, 1916. This gives the physical location of the ranch along with the fees for the land and the filing. The document is signed by Albert Mattson, my GGGrandfather.

The second document is a letter from the State of Montana recording the brands for the Mattson Ranch to be used on cattle and horses.

The last document illustrates where the brands were to be placed on the animals.

So there you have it. The family brand. I'm guessing it is still legal, meaning if you wanted to mark your children as yours you could always use the Mattson brand. Mind you, I wouldn't use the branding iron - you'd be run in for abuse. I suggest a tattoo right on the forehead. That will do the trick with a minimum amount of fuss and bother.

Simply,
Victor