Prairie County, Montana Genealogy
Guide to Prairie County, Montana ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Prairie County was created 5 Feb 1915[2]. The name was selected in a contest and reflects the predominant landscape of the region. Its county seat is Terry. It is located in the east central area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Prairie County Courthouse
217 W Park Street
Terry, MT 59349
Phone: 406.635.5575
Prairie County Website
County Clerk has birth, death and land records from 1915;
Clerk Court has marriage, divorce, probate and court records from 1915 [4]
Prairie 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 |
| 1915 | 1915 | 1915 | 1915 | 1915 | 1915 | 1860 |
Compliance for recording births was 1922 and 1915 for deaths.[6] | ||||||
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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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:[8]
| Towns | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Prairie 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. | %± |
| 1920 | 3,684 | — |
| 1930 | 3,941 | 7.0% |
| 1940 | 2,410 | −38.8% |
| 1950 | 2,377 | −1.4% |
| 1960 | 2,318 | −2.5% |
| 1970 | 1,752 | −24.4% |
| 1980 | 1,836 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | 1,383 | −24.7% |
| 2000 | 1,199 | −13.3% |
| 2010 | 1,179 | −1.7% |
| 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.[9] 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 & 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 & images; Montana Territory Census
- 1880 United States Census, 1880 at FamilySearch Historical Records - How to Use this Collection; index & 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 — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- Stevenson and Sons Funeral Homes in Terry
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Montana Land and Property for additional information about early Montana land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where records are currently housed.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
- 1796 - 1907 U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
- 1863 - 1908 U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry - - index & images ($)
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Prairie 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.
- Mildred Memories on the O'Fallon 1979. by Mary Haughian. Terry, MT: Mary Haughian. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- 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; index
- 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.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Please see the Montana Naturalization and Citizenship page for state-wide information.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1791-1992 U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 at Ancestry($), index only
- 1868-1999 Montana Naturalization Records, 1868-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1870-1999 Montana, Federal Naturalization Records, 1870-1999 at Ancestry($), index only
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For more information, see Montana Newspapers.
Montana Newspapers Online
- Chronicling America - contains images of some Montana newspapers; searching tips
- GenealogyBank - ($), contains images of Montana newspapers
- Montana Newspapers by the Montana Historical Society
- Newspaper Archive - ($), contains images of Montana newspapers
- 1800s-Current Montana, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
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, Prairie - Probate records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1831–1952 Montana Wills and Probate Records 1831-1952 at Ancestry — index & images $
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Montana tax records complement land records and can be used to supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the records.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most birth and death original records can be purchased from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. For information about marriages, divorces, and requirements for obtaining any vital records, see the CDC Where to Write website.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840 - 2004 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840 - 2004 at Ancestry ($) — index
- 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 $
- 1865-1950 Montana, County Marriages, 1865 - 1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & 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 ($)
- Western States Marriage Index - Index, incomplete, list of counties included
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840 - 2004 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1840-2004 Montana, County Births and Deaths, 1840 - 2004 at Ancestry ($) — 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 ($) — index
- pre 1954-2002 Montana State Death Registry Index Pre 1954 & 1954 -2 002 at Montana State Genealogical Society — index
- 1954-2011 Montana Death Records at Findmypast ($) — index
- 1954-Onward Montana Deaths at MyHeritage — 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 Prairie County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Montana Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch 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 FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Glendive Montana FamilySearch Center
- Miles City Montana FamilySearch Center
- Sheridan County Library - an affiliate library
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Prairie County. For state-wide library facilities, see Montana Archives and Libraries.
Prairie County Library
309 Garfield Ave
PO Box 275
Terry, MT 59349
406-635-5546
Email: prairielib@midrivers.com
Facebook
Museums[edit | edit source]
PRAIRIE COUNTY MUSEUM AND EVELYN CAMERON GALLERY
101 Logan Ave S
PO Box 368
Terry, MT 59349
406-635-4040
Email: prairiecountymuseum@gmail.com
Facebook
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Prairie County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Montana Societies.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Prairie County at Cyndi's List — a comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online
- Prairie County at Genealogy Trails — volunteer transcriptions of genealogical and historical data
- Prairie County at Montana USGenWeb - free online resources for genealogical research
- Prairie County at Montana USGenWeb Archives - free online data for genealogical research
- Prairie County, Montana at Linkpendium - genealogy and family history
- Prairie 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).
- ↑ Montana: Individual Chronologies, Montana Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/MT_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Prairie County, Montana," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairie_County,_Montana (accessed July 1, 2024).
- ↑ 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), Prairie County, Montana. Page 417. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 407.
- ↑ 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, "Prairie County, Montana," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairie_County%2C_Montana#Communities, accessed 1 Dec 2016.
- ↑ ’'Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 409. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.