In archives, the term Estray describes records that are no longer in possession of their original custodian.

In archives, the term Estray describes records that are no longer in possession of their original custodian.

• A. Escheat
• B. Bailment
• C. Estray
• D. Adverse possession

Answer: (C)

Estray describes the situation where property has strayed from its owner and is now in someone else’s possession, with no clear custodian in control. In archives, this matches records that are no longer in the care of their original custodian because the custody or provenance of those records is uncertain or lost. This term is the best fit because it focuses on the custody issue—the records exist, but the rightful custodian isn’t currently in possession. Escheat would involve property reverting to the state when there’s no claimant, which isn’t about misplaced custodianship. Bailment refers to temporarily handing over property for a specific purpose with an expectation of return, not the absence of a known custodian. Adverse possession is about gaining ownership through long-term possession, not about determining custody of records.

Estray describes the situation where property has strayed from its owner and is now in someone else’s possession, with no clear custodian in control. In archives, this matches records that are no longer in the care of their original custodian because the custody or provenance of those records is uncertain or lost.

This term is the best fit because it focuses on the custody issue—the records exist, but the rightful custodian isn’t currently in possession. Escheat would involve property reverting to the state when there’s no claimant, which isn’t about misplaced custodianship. Bailment refers to temporarily handing over property for a specific purpose with an expectation of return, not the absence of a known custodian. Adverse possession is about gaining ownership through long-term possession, not about determining custody of records.