In doing research on Long Island history, I've come across some information on ear-marking, an early form of identifying cattle. Beginning in colonial times and up through the 1800's the townspeoples cattle and sheep were often pastured together on common lands. The animals were left in charge of a keeper who watched over them and was paid a fee for his services. He rounded up strays, rescued cattle who got stuck in the marsh or were injured, and herded them into enclosures when necessary. Each owner identified his cattle by means of an ear-mark. This was a similar system to brands that were used on Western cattle. Earmarks were registered with the town clerks as evidence of private ownership. Earmarks were cuts in the animals ear in a specific pattern. They can be used as a source of information in tracing genealogies because a son would use the same ear-mark of his father after his fathers death. Earmarks were recorded in the town clerk's offices by means of a diagram and in the larger offices, an accompanying written description. Georgina Martorella Newsday--Long Island History Project