Montana, the 41st state to join the union, has an interesting history because of the timeline of itself and its bordering neighbors.
Montana Territory was opened on 26 May 1862 and remained as such until 8 November 1889 when it achieved statehood. From the above 1866 map, you can see Montana’s neighbors – Idaho on the west, Wyoming to the south and Dakota Territory to the east.
The Dakotas were split into North and South Dakota just 6 days before Montana became a state, on 2 November 1889. Idaho became a state 8 months after Montana on 3 July 1890 and Wyoming followed one week later on 10 July 1890. Within a matter of 8 months, these former territories were all granted statehood.
Montana is geographically a very large state, but like other western states, has proportionally a much smaller population. The old cowboy song Home on the Range brings Montana to mind for me!
Although Montana didn’t become a state until 1889, territorial papers include vital records and military records, along with probate, prison and some tax records.
Montana’s population in 1889 was about 142,000. Today, just over 1,000,000 people call Montana home.
Here are some online resources to trace family members in Montana. Given the small population of the state, there are lots of resources to explore:
Access Genealogy – Montana
Billings Public Library – Local, Montana & Nearby Locations Genealogy
Central Montana Genealogy Society
FamilySearch – Montana Records
GenWed – Montana Marriage Records
Great Falls Genealogy Society
Historical Societies – There are a number of local historical societies in Montana. Scroll down the FamilySearch page for the list.
Linkpendium – Montana
Missoula Public Library – Genealogy
Montana Genealogy Record Guides – RAOGK
Montana Genealogy Resources on Genealoger
Montana Historical Society Research Center
Montana State Genealogical Society –Links to online Montana records
Montana State University – Online Photo Galleries, Electronic Theses, Dissertations,, Proceedings, and Publications
Montana State University – Special Collections & Archives
New Horizons Genealogy – Montana
Resources for Local History & Genealogy – Library of Congress
University of Montana – Maureen & Mike Mansfield Library Digital Collections
Western Montana Genealogical Society
Your Guide to Researching Montana Ancestors