Pondera County, Montana Genealogy

Guide to Pondera County Montana genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

United States Montana  Pondera County

Historical Facts

 * Parent County: created 17 February 1919 from Chouteau and Teton
 * County seat: Conrad 
 * Neighboring Counties: Chouteau | Flathead | Glacier | Liberty | Teton | Toole

Boundary Changes
The Montana legislature created Pondera County in 1919 from Chouteau and Teton Counties with Conrad as the county seat. Local lore suggests that Pondera is either the phonetic spelling of the French word “Pend d’Oreille” meaning hanging earring or “pain d’or” meaning golden bread for the color of the native grasses in the area. Wheat production remains the main industry for the county.

Cemeteries
Pondera County Cemeteries

Land and Property
Grantee and Granto index 1919-1950, Deeds Vol 1-12 (1910-1932), and Patents Vol 1-5 (1910-1974)

[[MEMO To: 	Missionaries and Staff Who Use Special Collections From: 	CindyLee Banks Date: 	11 July 2013 Subject: 	Privileges for Special Collections  Checking in All persons who use Special Collections should stop at the desk as they enter to be properly identified and checked in. The policy for checking people into Special Collections is found in Register 10. 	 	Removing Films from Special Collections •	No one can remove films from Special Collections unless this memo indicates they can. This memo lists specific privileges and restrictions each unit has.  •	When films are to be taken out of Special Collections: o	The missionary on duty in Special Collections should physically check the films out of and back into Special Collections, in the Special Collections Reference Manual (Register 10) behind the tab labeled “Film Checkout”. (He or she should also record the name of the person taking the films and date the films were taken and returned.) The missionary who checks the films in may not be the same as the one who checked them out. o	The person removing films should present the films he plans to remove to the Special Collections missionary for the missionary to record the numbers and other pertinent information in Binder 10. If someone plans to remove several films, he may present a list of the films to be removed to the missionary on duty. This list may be placed in the binder by the current check-out page. The same check out and check in information should be recorded for films in such a list. o	Any questions or problems relating to this procedure should be referred to CindyLee Banks (x21508). 	 	Note:  No films are to be removed from Special Collections – even by those who are authorized – without having the Special Collections missionary record the film numbers in the appropriate book. 	 	List of Privileges of Persons with Assignments in Special Collections •	The following staff and missionaries need to have access to Special Collections when they are on work assignments. Their names should appear on the list of users. In the space where the expiration date is entered for patrons, enter instead, “See Privileges Memo.” This memo explains any special privileges an individual or group may have. If no special privileges are written, it simply means the person can enter and exit Special Collections as needed for their assignment, and that their Special Collections privileges do not expire until their assignment or employment ends.  	   	Special Collections Advisors (These individuals may be called on to resolve problems. They may need to remove films from time to time – though they must sign the films out.) 	CindyLee Banks 		Sister LaRae Harrison – Function Leader 		Elder Ed Harrison – Function Leader 		Sister Debra Amos 		Sister Julia Moore 	 	Access Services Area (Normally they will not remove films, though they may need to remove damaged films to repair them.) 		Jeff Blaylock 		Viviana Davis 	 	Ordinance Data Management Team (ODM) (They can make copies of any film they need to. They may need to check films out of Special Collections on occasion to use another copier.) 	Kaylene Williams 	Charmaine Roper 	Janae Lakey 	Elder Don Marler 	 	Library Public Affairs (They may have work assignments that bring them to Special Collections. They may need to check films out on occasion to make copies – though they must sign the films out.)     		Elder Neal Dixon 		Sister Julia Dixon 		Elder Bret Fowler 	 	Photoduplication  They no longer are authorized to take out films or provide information for patrons from Special Collections. 	 	Missionary and Staff Trainers (These people can use films and fiche or other resources in Special Collections to prepare for and provide training. They may not remove films from the room or make copies of anything but Endowment Index films.) 	 	Reader Repair (They may repair microfilm readers and our reader printer) 		Tom Armstrong 		 	Computer Repair 		CindyLee Banks 	 	U.S. Canada Staff Members (They may have work assignments that bring them to Special Collections. But they may not remove films or make copies.) 			 		Tim Bingaman 		David Dilts 		Jason Harrison 		Joan Healey 		Joni Kesler 		CindyLee Banks 	 	Other Family History Leadership 		Don Anderson 		Diane Loosle 		Suzanne Curley 		Tamra Stansfield 		Noel Barton and Wayne Morris (Joseph Smith Papers) 		 	|On line at FamilySearch ]]

Maps
See an interactive map of Pondera County cemeteries and modern-day townships. (Histopolis)

Cemetery Maps

 * Dupuyer Cemetery
 * Golden West Cemetery
 * Hillside Cemetery
 * Lakeview Cemetery
 * Robare Cemetery
 * Sacred Heart Cemetery
 * Saint Anne Cemetery

Military
There are many online sources out there for Military records because they provide invaluable detailed records for those that have served. accessgenealogy provides a jumping off place for information.

Naturalization and Citizenship
Petition for naturalization 1914-1945, Naturalization cards 1913-1945, and Petition evidence 1913-1945

on line at FamilySearch

Probate
Probate Case files 1919-1930 and Probate Court Minutes 1919--1930 on Line at FamilySearch

Courthouse
County Clerk has birth, death and land records from 1919; Clerk Court has marriage, divorce, probate and court records

Family History Centers
Introduction to LDS Family History Centers


 * Conrad Montana Family History Center

Vital Records
On line at Family Search: Birth 1910-1982, Marriages 1919-1955, and Deaths 1914-2012

Websites

 * Pondera MT GenWeb
 * Montana Historical Society
 * Pondera County
 * Pondera County

Places
Glacier (North) | Toole (North) | Liberty (East) | Chouteau (East) | Teton(South) | Flathead (West)

Indian Reservation
A small portion of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation is located in Pondera County. The larger part of the Reservation is in Glacier County.