To Mary Ames Sheret: Deaccessioning need not be a nightmare. If the items under consideration for disposal/deaccession have been around for a long time (years/decades), and you don't have legal title to the items, check your collections policy and see what it says for this type of situation. I think a good way to go about it would be to look carefully through all your documentation to determine who left the item with your museum. If this individual is nowhere to be found or deceased, and you have no idea where to turn, a good strategy would be to advertise in the local paper for the owners to come and pick their items up. You might also want to advertise in the local paper where the original owner lived or where you think the current heirs live. Specify what you have and that you need to return the item. In addition, specify in the ad what it says in your collections policy as to how long your museum is willing to store the items and for what purpose. Once that period is over and no one claims anything, you should normally feel free to dispose of the item. Also, long lost heirs need to present proof of ownership for the item as you do not want to give it to the wrong person. Hope this helps! Arlyn Danielson Newseum [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Mary Ames B. Sheret[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, July 11, 1997 12:19 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: objects found in collections How have others dealt with deaccessioning objects and/or library materials found in collections that don't have an accession number or a signed deed? Essentially, the museum can not prove legal title to the object, so how does one deaccession it? We have read Malero's books and made other inquries. I thought I would see if anyone else has experienced this problem. Thanks. Mary Ames Sheret Southern Oregon Historical Society