Montana

Montana Census Research

Federal censuses for the state of Montana began in 1870; however, some parts of Montana were included other Federal census records. In 1860, people living in the area of Montana east of the Continental Divide were enumerated in the unorganized part of Nebraska Territory. The only exceptions to this were two trading posts, Fort Alexander and Fort Union, which were enumerated with unorganized Dakota.

The area of Montana west of the Continental Divide was enumerated as the Bitterroot Valley and the Ponderay Mountains in Spokane County, Washington Territory. Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872, and all residents of the area were enumerated in the Wyoming census for 1880.

A “census” of miners taken during 1862–63 can be found in “List of Early Settlers: A List of All Persons (Except Indians) Who Were in What is Now Montana During the Winter of 1862–63, Which Was the First Winter After the Gold Mines of This Region Had Become Noised Abroad,” Contributions to the Historical Society of Montana, vol. 1 (Helena: Rocky Mountain Publishing Co., 1876).

Montana Vital Records
Although Montana began recording births and deaths in 1907, it was not until about 1915 that mandatory registration of births became more complete. By 1922, compliance was about 90 percent.

• Montana Department of Health and Human Services: Holds records of births and deaths from 1907.  Earlier records and marriage records are filed with the clerk of the county where the event was recorded. The Department of Public Health has only indexes to marriages (and only for those after 1945).
• Western States marriage index (BYU Idaho) special collections: a searchable index to marriages in several western states, including Montana. See the web site for specific counties and years included in the index.

Montana Research Resources

The organizations listed below provide information about Montana history and genealogy. In addition to these state-level resources, many counties and towns maintain important genealogical collections in local libraries, genealogical societies, or historical societies, so check for a local resource when researching.

• Montana State Library
• Montana Historical Society and State Archives
• Montana State Genealogical Society
• Montana GenWeb
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) at Denver: This facility maintains records from Federal agencies and courts in Montana, including census, military, court, naturalization, and immigration records.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) General Land Office Records: The BLM administers Federal Land for public land states including Montana, and maintains records of land patents which granted land from the Federal Government to individuals. Use the Land Patent Search to locate land grants by name. Many record images are available on the web site. See the FAQ for more information on how to locate and use land patents.