Hi Frank,
this is descriptive by field names. When you set status first time for an object, record is created in table CRM_JEST, where INACT = space and CHNGNR = 1. When you deactivate the status, it is not deleted but INACT = X and CHNGNR is increased. And again, if you set the status active, then INACT is set to space and CHNGNR is increased again.
In other words, if you want to read active statuses, then define INACT = space in your SQL WHERE clause.
The changes are tracked in table CRM_JCDS.
Please, come back if you need more clarification.
Regards,
Dawood.