Madison County, Montana Genealogy
Guide to Madison County, Montana ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The Madison County is located in the southwestern area of the state. Madison County was named for James Madison.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Madison County Courthouse
110 W Wallace Street
Virginia City, MT 59755
Phone: 406.843.4270
Madison County Website
County Clerk and Recorder has birth and death records from 1909 and land records from 1864;
Clerk Court has marriage records from 1887, divorce, probate and court from 1865[3]
Madison County, Montana Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1909 | 1887 | 1909 | 1865 | 1864 | 1865 | 1860 |
Compliance for recording births was 1922 and 1915 for deaths.[5] | ||||||
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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Parent County: created 2 February 1865 as an original county
County seat: Virginia City [6]
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]
| Towns | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Madison County. To find more resources, go to the Montana Bible Records page.
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1870 | 2,684 | — |
| 1880 | 3,915 | 45.9% |
| 1890 | 4,692 | 19.8% |
| 1900 | 7,695 | 64.0% |
| 1910 | 7,229 | −6.1% |
| 1920 | 7,495 | 3.7% |
| 1930 | 6,323 | −15.6% |
| 1940 | 7,294 | 15.4% |
| 1950 | 5,998 | −17.8% |
| 1960 | 5,211 | −13.1% |
| 1970 | 5,014 | −3.8% |
| 1980 | 5,448 | 8.7% |
| 1990 | 5,989 | 9.9% |
| 2000 | 6,851 | 14.4% |
| 2010 | 7,691 | 12.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Before Montana was a state in 1889, the western portion of Montana was included in the 1860 Washington Territory and the eastern was in the unorganized parts of 1860 Nebraska Territory. The 1870 and 1880 Federal Censuses included Montana Territory. No state censuses have been taken.[8] See links listed below.
Territory and State Censuses[edit | edit source]
- 1860 - United States Census, 1860 at FamilySearch Historical Records - How to Use this Collection; index and images; Montana was included in the 1860 Washington and Nebraska Territory Censuses
- 1870 - United States Census, 1870 at FamilySearch Historical Records - How to Use this Collection; index and images; Montana Territory Census
- 1880 - United States Census, 1880 at FamilySearch Historical Records - How to Use this Collection; index and images; Montana Territory Census
Federal Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Censuses were taken for the state of Montana starting in 1890, although no records survived. The 1900 Census is the next Federal Census available. For links to Federal Census indexes, see Montana Census.
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Montana denominations, view the Montana Church Records wiki page.
Online Church Records
Lutheran Church
- 1875-1940 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Records, 1875-1940 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county
Presbyterian Church
- 1900-1904 - U.S., Presbyterian Records, 1701-1970 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Presbyterian Church of Twin Bridges, Baptisms, Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1900-1904
- 1913-1975 - U.S., Presbyterian Records, 1701-1970 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Community Presbyterian Church of Whitlash, Baptisms, Births, Deaths, 1913-1975
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1897-1930 Montana, Madison County, School Teachers Directories, 1897-1930(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- K & L Mortuaries, Inc in Ennis, Harrison, Sheridan, Twin Bridges
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Montana Land and Property for additional information about early Montana land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
Online Land Records
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
- 1796 - 1907 - U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
- 1863 - 1908 - U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry.com - ($), index and images
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Madison County, Montana Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the wiki page section Montana Local Histories.
- Golden Gulch, The Story of Montana's Fabulous Alder Gulch : Being a True, Quite Partial and Somewhat Humorous History of Alder Gulch, Montana, the state's richest placer mining district and the cradle of Montana history. c1991. By Dick Pace. Virginia City, Montana : Bovey Restorations. At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Pioneer Trails and Trials: Madison County 1863-1920. c1983. By Madison County History Association. [Sheridan, Montana] : Madison County History Association (Montana). At various libraries(WorldCat).
Online County Histories
- All Should Be Remembered: Dedicated to Graves Wherever They May Be. c2005-2016. By Susan Slater Ren. Ennis, Montana : S.S. Ren. Available at FamilySearch Catalog, 7 Volumes; At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Golden Gulch: The Story of Montana's Fabulous Alder Gulch. c1970. By Dick Pace. Virginia City, Montana : D. Pace. Online at FamilySearch Digital Library; At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Golden Gulch: The Story of Montana's Fabulous Alder Gulch. c1962. By Dick Pace. [Montana?] : D. Pace. Online at FamilySearch Digital Library, At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Pioneer Trails and Trials : Madison County, 1863-1920. c1976. By Madison County History Association. Great Falls, Montana : Blue Print and Letter Company. Available at FamilySearch Catalog, Montana Memory Project; At various libraries(WorldCat).
- Progressive Years; Madison County, Volume 2, 1920-1950. c1983. By Madison County History Association. Butte, Montana : Artcraft Printers. Available at FamilySearch Catalog; At various libraries(WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- See an interactive map of Madison County cemeteries and modern-day townships. (Histopolis)
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Montana - shows boundary changes for Montana Counties
- Historical Maps and Atlases of Montana - maps and atlases of Montana
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Online Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections are unique to Montana. You will find nationwide databases for military records on U.S. Military Online Genealogy Records and Montana Military Records.
Civil War
- 1890 United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; indexindex
- 1890 - 1918 Montana Military Enlistments at Montana Memory Project
World War I
- 1904 - 1918 Montana, Military Records, 1904-1918 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1917 - 1918 U.S. WW I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- Soldiers of the Great War from the State of Montana at USGenWeb.
- Military Enlistments Montana World War I at Montana Memory Project
World War II
- WWII Army and Army Air Force Casualties for Montana - Index only
For further information see Montana Military Records.
Records]] and Montana Military Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Please see the Montana Naturalization and Citizenship page for state-wide information.
Online Naturalization Records
- 1791-1992 - U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 at Ancestry($), index only
- 1868-1999 - Montana Naturalization Records, 1868-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1870-1929 - Montana Naturalization Records, 1856-1979 – Browseable images only; County records for Madison County have various naturalization records from 1870-1929.
- 1870-1999 - Montana, Federal Naturalization Records, 1870-1999 at Ancestry($), index only
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For more information, see Montana Newspapers.
Montana Newspapers Online
- Butte and Helena newspapers that may include residents of Madison County. This database is sometimes free at libraries.
- Chronicling America - contains images of some Montana newspapers; searching tips
- Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites
- GenealogyBank - ($), contains images of Montana newspapers
- Montana Newspapers by the Montana Historical Society
- Newspaper Archive - ($), contains images of Montana newspapers
Montana Newspaper Catalogs
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- Obituary Daily Times - large obituary index from newspapers across the United States.
See also United States Obituaries for more about finding United States obituaries.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
In most counties in Montana, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include wills, inventories, claim registers, inheritance records, probate packets, and dockets. The records are available at the county courthouse.
The FamilySearch Catalog lists films of probate records. To find the records for this county, use the Place Search for Montana, Madison - Probate records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1800-1922 Montana, Madison County, Probate Records, 1800's-1922(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1831–1952 Montana Wills and Probate Records 1831-1952 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
- 1865-1899 Montana, Madison County, Probate Case File, 1865-1899(*); District Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Montana tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the records.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most birth and death original records can be purchased from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. For information about marriages, divorces, and requirements for obtaining any vital records, see the CDC Where to Write website.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840 - 2004 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840 - 2004 at Ancestry ($) — index
- 1864-1970 Register of births recorded in Madison County courthouse, Virginia City, Montana, 1864 thru 1907 Arranged alphabetically by name within each year.
- 1897-1988 Montana, U.S., Birth Records, 1897-1988 at Ancestry — index & images, ($)
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1800-1994 Montana, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
- 1864-1886 Marriage certificates (Madison County, Montana) 1864 - 1886 A typed list, by year, of marriages, giving names of bride and groom, marriage date, and date filed.
- 1864-1887 Register of marriages recorded in Madison County courthouse, Virginia City, Montana, 1864 thru 1887 Arranged by year and groom's surname. Includes only a partial listing for 1887.
- 1865-1950 Montana, County Marriages, 1865 - 1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1865-1950 Montana, County Marriages, 1865 - 1950 at Ancestry ($) — index
- 1889-1947 Montana Marriages, 1889 - 1947 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1889-1947 Montana Select Marriages 1889 - 1947 at Ancestry ($) — index
- 1943-1988 Montana, U.S., Marriage Records, 1943-1988 at Ancestry — index & images, ($)
- Western States Marriage Index - Index, incomplete, list of counties included
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840 - 2004 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840 - 2004 at Ancestry ($) — index
- 1860-2007 Montana Death Index, 1860 - 2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1868-2011 Montana, Death Index, 1868 - 2011 at Ancestry ($) — index
- 1977-1981 Register of deaths recorded in Madison County courthouse, Virginia City, Montana, 1977 thru 1981 Arranged alphabetically by name within each year.
- pre 1954-2002 Montana State Death Registry Index Pre 1954 & 1954 - 2002 at Montana State Genealogical Society — index
- 1954-2011 Montana Death Records at findmypast ($) — index
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1943-1988 Montana, U.S., Divorce Records, 1943-1988 at Ancestry — index & images, ($)
Voting Records[edit | edit source]
- 1884-1992 Montana, County Voting Records, 1884-1992 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Madison County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Montana Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Madison County. For state-wide library facilities, see Montana Archives and Libraries.
Madison Valley Public Library
210 E Main
Ennis, MT 59729
406-682-7244
Email: ennislib@3rivers.net
Website
Facebook
Thompson-Hickman Madison County Library
217 E Idaho St
PO Box 128
Virginia City, MT 59755
406-843-5346
Email: thlibrary@madisoncountymt.gov
Website
Facebook
Museums[edit | edit source]
Madison Valley History Museum
447 State Highway 287 South
PO Box 474
Ennis, MT 59729-0474
406-682-4685
E-mail: president@madisonvalleyhistoryassociation.org
Website
Facebook
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Madison County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Montana Societies.
Madison Valley History Association
447 State Highway 287 South
PO Box 474
Ennis, MT 59729-0474
406-682-4685
E-mail: president@madisonvalleyhistoryassociation.org
Website
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Madison County at Cyndi's List — a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Madison County at Genealogy Trails — volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Madison County at Montana USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Madison County at Montana USGenWeb Archives - free online data for genealogical research
- Madison County, Montana at Linkpendium - genealogy and family history
- Madison County, Montana Genealogy at LDSGenealogy.com - collection of links by state, county, city, and record type
- FamilySearch Catalog The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_County,_Montana accessed 11/18/2016
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), p. 417.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Madison County, Montana. Page 417. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 406.
- ↑ Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Rev. ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 1992), 439.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Madison County, Montana," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_County,_Montana, accessed 5 December 2016.
- ↑ ’'Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 409. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
