Montana Research Tips and Strategies

Montana Research Strategies
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Montana


 * Montana Online Genealogy Records
 * How to find Montana Birth Records
 * How to find Montana Marriage Records
 * How to find Montana Death Records

Montana Research Tips
These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Montana.


 * Birth information: Montana statewide registration of births began in 1907 with general compliance by 1920. The best substitute record for locating birth information is death records (the majority of death records will list the date of birth of the decedent, and since death certificates are considered a primary resource, they can provide you with the same documentation as a birth certificate). Or, try these other substitute records.
 * Finding Parents: Registration of deaths on the state level began in 1907. By 1910 the registration of deaths reached about 90 percent. It was not until about 1915 that the registration of Montana deaths became reasonably complete. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. Search Montana death records
 * Look in all censuses: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. Search U.S. Censuses.

Montana Record Finder
This Record Finder is designed to help you determine the best record to search for the type of information you are looking for. It is most helpful for post-1850 research.

Further Montana Research
For more research on Montana, including research at the county level, visit the Montana page on the Research Wiki.

Search all of the Montana record collections at FamilySearch.