Montana, Lake County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1857 to 2010.

The collection consists of the following records from the county courthouse in Polson, Montana.


 * Court records
 * Divorce records
 * Land and property records
 * Naturalization records
 * Probate records
 * School records
 * Vital records

For a list of record categories currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found in this collection may include:


 * Name of primary individual, their age, gender and residence
 * Event date and place
 * Biographical information about parents such as date and place of birth
 * Names of heirs, such as spouse, children, other relatives, or friends
 * Names of the executor, administrator, or guardian
 * Names of witnesses
 * Dates the documents were written and recorded (used to approximate event dates since a will was usually written near the time of death)
 * Description and value of land or property
 * Occupation
 * Military information such as company, rank, and enlistment date
 * Farm information such as number and value of acres, details of crops raised
 * Statistical information about members of household

How to Use the Record
To search the collection, ⇒Select Browse through images on the initial collection page ⇒Select the Record Category ⇒Select the Record Type, Volume, and Year Range which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination. Keep in mind:
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:


 * The approximate date the event occurred
 * The name of the individual or individuals

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the age to calculate the birth date.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth of each partner to find a couple's birth records and parents' names.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth to find the family in census records.
 * Use the residence and names to locate church and land records.
 * Use the parents' birth places to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Occupations listed can lead you to other types of records such as employment or military records.
 * The name of the officiator may be a clue to their religion or area of residence in the county.
 * The name of the undertaker, mortuary, or cemetery could lead you to funeral records which often include the names and residences of other family members.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * The information in the records is usually reliable, but depends upon the reliability of the informant.
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as more recent records.
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another record.
 * Compiling the entries for every person who has the same surname is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. It can also help you to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives. You may want to repeat this process for each new generation or surname that you identify.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the surnames.
 * Check for an index. There are often indexes created by local genealogical and historical societies.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.

Related Websites
Lake County, Montana Free Public Records Directory

Related Wiki Articles

 * Lake County, Montana
 * Montana
 * Montana Land and Property
 * Montana Probate Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Montana. Lake County Records 1857-2010" images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 17 April 2012), Montana. Lake County Records 1857-2010 &gt; Vital Records &gt; Certification of death Certificate 2002-2006 &gt; image 1 of 617; entry for Kay Martin Bridenstine, born 9 May, 1925; Iowa City, Iowa, died 25 November, 1925. Lake County Clerk, Polson, Montana.