Herd Register of the American Jersey Cattle Club

The Herd Register of the American Jersey Cattle Club was initiated in the mid-19th century to establish a formal pedigree system for Jersey cattle in North America. Following the formation of the American Jersey Cattle Club in 1868, these volumes were compiled to authenticate the lineage of imported and domestic stock, serving as the definitive registry for breeders seeking to maintain the purity and quality of the Jersey breed, which was highly valued for the exceptional butterfat content of its milk.

The design of these volumes prioritizes archival utility, featuring structured layouts that document registration numbers, breeding records, and ownership histories. These registers were essential to the development of commercial dairy farming in the United States, providing a standardized record-keeping practice that mirrored the professionalization of agriculture during the industrial era. The series is regarded by historians as a fundamental primary source for tracing the genealogical evolution of American livestock.