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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -