Opelousas and Attakapas District Brand Books Available on the Louisiana Digital Library

The Opelousas and Attakapas District Brand Books, Collection 144 from the University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, are now available on the Louisiana Digital Library.

Donated by Mrs. Gradney Cochran, these are presumably the oldest cattle brand books in the United States. Brand registrations include Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and other parishes of south Louisiana.

The Collection is divided into two volumes: 1739-1888 and 1888-1944.

Since the physical book copies are in fragile condition, they were microfilmed for use. The books have since been digitized and can now be widely accessed in UL Lafayette's section of the Louisiana Digital Library.