Ancestry Message Boards for Gallatin County:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=an&p=localities.northam.usa.states.montana.counties.gallatin

Read Old Queries

These local organizations have genealogical information available to the public.

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
2820 W. College, 406-587-4491  http://www.gomontana.com
Past issues of the Chronicle (from April 1891) on microfilm are now available at the Bozeman Public Library.

Bozeman Public Library
220 E. Lamme, 406-582-2400  http://www.bozemanlibrary.org

BridgerNet, the Library catalog, can be accessed online at the web address above.  There are no original records housed at the Library.  There are a few publications of extracts from cemetery, mortuary, and early newspapers.  The Library has titles that are useful in doing genealogy research for circulation and reference; how to get started, writing family histories/memoirs, photo preservation, etc.  There are also local histories and city directories.  There is a selected bibliography, “Genealogical Resources at Bozeman Public Library,” available at the Information Desk.

1.  “Genealogy Web Sites” is a binder at the reference desk with examples of useful genealogy web sites.  The Library offers “Genealogy on the Internet” classes twice a year.  Please call for further information.

2.    InterLibrary Loan.  The Library offers a loan service for titles that are not in the Library collection but available for loan from other libraries.  For further information please call the Information Desk.

Bozeman Stake Family History Center
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Third and Henderson 
406-586-3880, ext. 15
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Closed between Christmas week and New Year’s Day
Family Search offers the data bases of Ancestral File, International Genealogical Index, Social Security Death Index, Old Scottish Records, and Military Records (casualities of the Korean and Vietnam Wars).  Some of these options are available at http://www.familysearch.org .
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City is the largest holder of genealogy related information in the world.  Many of these holdings are film/fiche that can be ordered and read at the Family History Center in Bozeman.  (Film fee is $3.30 for 45-day use, fiche fee is 15¢/fiche for an indefinite loan).  There are some Montana census and other films on indefinite loan at the Center.

Personal Ancestral file is a computer program available at the Center to record, manage, and share genealogical information.  The current version is available for free download at   www.familysearch.org .

PERSI (PERiodical Source Index) is a partial index to Indiana’s Allen County Public Library, largest English-language genealogy and local history periodical collection in the world with more than 3200 current subscriptions and more than 4100 titles.  Photocopies of the articles can be ordered.

There is a limited number of genealogical reference books available for use in the Center.

Church Records

The city directories at the Bozeman Public Library list the churches existing for that year.  Call the specific church for availability and dates of records.

City of Bozeman
City Offices ­ 411 E. Main Street 406-582-2327 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F

Cemetery ­ From Main St. go south on Buttonwood, 406-586-7238, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., M-F
Sunset Hills Cemetery records are available for public use.  Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F, closed holidays.  Information can be accessed by name of the deceased.  Burial date and lot location is given.  There are lot and plot, and map books which give the exact location of the grave.  Call Darla at the City Finance Office.

Dahl Mortuary Funeral Chapel
300 Highland Blvd.  406-586-5298
Records are available from 1939.  The staff will search the records.  Verification of relationship and date of death is required.  Please call for appointment.  Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service
113 S. Willson, 406-587-3484
Records are available from 1900.  The staff will search the records.  Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Gallatin County Clerk of the District Court
615 South 16th Street, Room 302, 406-582-2165
        Probate from 1867
        Marriages from approximately 1877
        Naturalization from approximately. 1880
        Divorce, Civil & Criminal Courts from about 1886
Fees: Marriage $1.00 uncertified, $3.00 certified, by mail $5 certified only.  Searches over a period of years: $.50 per year per name.  Other documents: $.50 per copy for first five pages, and then $.25 for each page thereafter.

Gallatin County Courthouse
311 W. Main Street 406-582-3050
        Land records from 1895.  Available on film giving legal description and plat location.  Unfortunately, many of the earlier owners have been erased.  There is also an early grantee-grantor index in print format.
        Birth & Death: Very incomplete from 1895 to 1906, complete from 1907.
        Military Service: from 1919.
Fees: Birth­$5.00, Death­$3.00, searches over a period of years­$.50, other documents­$.50 first page and $.25 each page thereafter.

Gallatin County Pioneer Museum and Historical Society
317 W. Main Street   406-522-8122     10 to 4:30, M-F, 1-4 Sat.
http://www.pioneermuseum.org
Library and photo archives has primary and secondary source documents including unpublished manuscripts, biographies, obituaries, newspapers, and primary military history, maps, genealogical materials, as well as history books (out of print and current), high school yearbooks, and magazines.  The photo archives contains more than 8000 images which are photocopied and filed in notebooks by subject.  Copies of these images may be purchased by  the public.  Note: The Museum of the Rockies also has a photo archive.  Call for an appointment 406-994-2551.

Gallatin Genealogical Society
The society’s collection is housed at the Family History Center.  It is “Reference Only” except to members of the society.  They publish a quarterly, “Gallatin Trails.”  The society published an index of local mortuary records.  This index is available at the Bozeman Public Library, Montana Room (929.3 MORTUARY).  See “Community Resources” menu option of the Bozeman Public Library catalog   www.bozemanlibrary.org) for current officers and meeting schedule.

Montana State University ­ Bozeman Libraries
406-994-3171   http://www.lib.montana.edu
Although MSU ­Bozeman’s Renne Library does not actively collect materials for genealogical research, it has some sources which may be helpful to those doing research on the subject.  Anyone may use these resources.  Upon request a bibliography of genealogy resources held at MSU Libraries­Bozeman is available at the reference desk.  The “Genealogy Resources” bibliography lists newspapers, relevant indexes, and census information among many other items of interest.  Some family histories may be found in the main collection by subject searching the online catalog for surnames and using the subject “genealogy.”  Using only the word “genealogy” as a subject search will list all materials in the library related to genealogy.
Special Collections­ A few titles are still in a card system located only in the Special Collections reading room.  A separate photograph collection, which includes an extremely limited number of Montana individuals, is available.  For materials located in Special Collections a strict photocopy policy and limited hours are in place.  Please contact the reference desk at 994-3171 forfurther information.

Montana's Official State Song - Just to brighten your day!

The MTGenWeb Project's Photo Archive - Patti Easton started this amazing site and had added countless photos to the archive. Now, our new Photo Archive Coordinator, Ann Kramlich, is maintaining and adding photos with the help of a number of contributors. This site will be growing steadily, so check back often!!!

Montana Newspapers Online - Links to known Montana Newspapers who have sites on Internet.

Unknown County Queries - If you don't know your ancestor's county of residence, you may post and view their queries here! unknown counties!

Montana Place Names - Do not know which county a town resides or resided in? You should use this handy reference!

Guide to Montana Reference Books and Media - These lists feature hundreds of Montana historical and biographical books and media.

Montana Surnames Registry - This site lists surnames along with contact persons for unknown and unadopted counties in Montana.   (Be sure to check the MtGenWeb Project County Pages for county-specific surname lists.)

Montana Native American History & Genealogy - We still need more volunteers to provide tribal histories and information regarding Montana Native Americans to this MtGenWeb Project site. Thanks to a number of people, we now included some great links and a mailing list for the Metis!!

Montana's Military History - A new MtGenWeb Project site that will eventually provide biographical and historical information about Montana's Military Units.

Montana State Department of Health and Human Services/Vital Records - Another source of birth, death, marriage or divorce records is DPHHS/Vital Records.

Montana Libraries - Still under construction, we're are continuously adding Montana's libaries and any links to online library catalogs.

Montana State Historical Society - Although still under construction, this site features the Montana Magazine of Western History publication, will contain a link to the Montana State Historical Society Library and much more.

Index to 1899 "Society of Montana Pioneers" Volume 1 - Tom Graham created this name index for the above-mentioned publication!

Index to 1921 "Montana Its Story and Biography:"3 Volumes - Gayle Collins created this name index for the above-mentioned publication! Lookups available as well!

Battle of the Little Big Horn Casualties - You'll find a link to the list here, as well as to other Montana data.