In the absence of documentation and a gift agreement,
     our state law would view these items as "abandoned
     property."  You should check with your state's attorney
     general to see if your institution is covered by an
     existing abandoned property law.  Our law requires
     published notifications before you "take possession" of
     the artifacts so you can deaccession them, etc.

     Legalities aside, you should document the artifacts and
     keep a permanent record of what action you take, as
     some relative will show up asking after them as soon as
     you have forgotten about it.  Good luck.

     Chris Dill

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C. L. Dill, Museum Director
State Historical Society of North Dakota
612 East Boulevard
Bismarck  ND  58505-0830    USA
P: (701)328-2666
F: (701)328-3710
E:  [log in to unmask]
Visit our Web site at: http://www.state.nd.us/hist/
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