uncle passed and they gave me his strat

dont play but want to keep it I am trying to learn, I am older (45) my dad , brother grandfather, all played I hope it in me somwhere . the serial number is s996074 he palyed it until he became ill it could use to be fefinished but I think I will leave it the way he had it. could anybody tell me a rough value of the strat.

"S" prefixes usually means it's from the 1970s.

According to more than one internet database on Fender serial numbers, your uncle's axe was American made, and was manufactured in 1981.

Here is how they numbered them in the late 1970's and early 1980's:

S810000's to S870000's = 1979
S880000's to S980000's = 1980
S950000's to S990000's = 1981
E000000's to E100000's = 1979-1982

The E-numbered Fenders were often Japanese made.

You have a vintage American made strat, and it is as old as my beautiful daughter, 27 (going on 28) years old.