This section lists the societies of Montana, giving details about each one and what resources and publications they offer.
Statewide and Regional Societies
County Societies
Statewide Societies
Central Montana Genealogy Society
The society is based in Lewiston Public Library. Located on the upper floor of the library, they have many archives, including:
- Births
- Cemetery and Mortuary Records
- Church Registers
- Federal and State Census Returns
- Local Histories
- Marriages
- Newspapers on Microfilm
Website:
http://lewistownlibrary.org/?s=Central+Montana+Genealogy+Society
Montana State Genealogical Society
The Society issues Early Settlers certificates to descendants of residents who arrived before 8 November 1889.
Many archives are available in their library, for which an online catalogue is available online.
Numerous databases are accessible on their site, which include the 1930 Federal Census (Index), Marriages and Naturalisations.
They also provide access to the State Death Index, which incorporates:
- Civil War Veterans
- Deaths 1954-2002
- Deaths Recorded in the Workman Newsletter March 1892 – February 1899
- Earliest Deaths through 1953
Website:
http://montanamsgs.org
Montana State Historical Society
The society was established in 1865. Many resources are available in their Research Centre, which inorporate Manuscripts, Government Records, Books, Maps and Photographs.
If you wish to find out more about archives held, an on-line catalogue is available.
Website:
http://mhs.mt.gov/
Western Montana Genealogical Society
The association was established in 1980. Their aims are to promote and encourage the study of genealogy, to collect and preserve genealogical records, to compile genealogies and to locate genealogical materials and make these available to the public.
Many publications are available for sale, including:
- Missoula City Cemetery Records
- Other Cemetery Transcripts
- Vital Records Announcements in Eleven Missoula area Newspapers 1870-1899
- Vital Records published in Daily Missoulian 1900-1914
Website:
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~mtwmgs/
County Societies
Bitterroot Genealogical Society
Some Indexes are available, which include Cemetery Records and the Ravalli Co. 1910 Census.
The society has extracted Death Records relating to Ravalli County from the Montana State Death Index, and an index of these is available, covering pre 1920-2000s.
A list of Pioneer Families of the Bitterroot Valley is also available along with a list of Ravalli Co. Cemeteries.
Website:
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~mtbgs/
Gallatin County Genealogical Society
The association was established in 2012, their aims being to promote the preservation of historical knowledge in Gallatin County and further afield, to teach people the best way to research genealogy, and to collect and preserve genealogical records.
Many indexes are available, which include:
- Divorces
- Naturalisation Petitions
- Obituaries
- Vital Records(Including Births, Marriages, Deaths and Divorces)
Website:
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~mtgcgs/
Lewis and Clark County Genealogical Society
Many resources are accessible in their library. Please peruse their online catalogue for further information.
Numerous databases are on-line through FindAGrave, which include Cemetery Transcripts of East Helena, Forestvale, Resurrection and Sunset Memorial Cemeteries.
The Montana State Veterans Cemetery Fort Harrison is also listed on FindAGrave, along with Lewis and Clark County Rural Cemeteries.
In addition, resources incorporate:
- Births 1860-1950
- Census Indexes
- Deaths 1880-1950
- Divorces 1866-1944
- Lewis and Clark County School Districts Census 1897-1899
- Naturalisation Papers 1864-1941
- Obituaries published in the Independent Record
- Probate 1865-1979
- Vital Records from the Marysville Gazette
Numerous publications are available for sale, which incorporate:
- Back Issues of their publication Faded Genes
- Births
- Divorces
- Forestvale, Sunset Memorial and Resurrection Cemeteries Indexes
- Immigration and Naturalisation Papers
- Marriages
- Probate Records
- Rural Lewis and Clark County and other selected Cemeteries
Website:
http://www.lccgsmt.org/
Sheridan County Daybreakers Genealogical Society
The association is in the process of transcribing Cemetery Records from Cemeteries in the Region. A list of Cemeteries is on the site, along with a note of which Cemetery Records have been transcribed.
Links to several sites which you may find of use are also available.
Website:
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~mtscdgs/
Yellowstone Genealogy Forum
The association publishes a Newsletter which is published in April, July and October. It is possible to download Recent Issues in PDF Format and it is possible to purchase Back Issues from the Society.
Many other publications are also available for sale, which incorporate Cemetery Transcripts, Marriages and an Obituary Index.
Website:
http://montanamsgs.org/ygf.html