Montana Church Records: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:10, 5 February 2015

United States Montana Montana Church Records

Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Montana were the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian churches.^[1] Each group arrived during the territorial period to proselyte among the Indians and the miners.

Missions[edit | edit source]

St. Francis Xavier Mission Jesuit mission 1887-1960
Holy Family Mission Jesuit mission 1890-1914 - Guide to records
Ignatius Mission 1854 Catholic on Flathead Reservation
St. Paul's Mission 1887 Catholic on Fort Belknap Reservation
St. Mary's Mission Jesuit 1841-1908
St. Paul's Mission Catholic 1887
St. Peter's Mission Jesuit 1859-1898

The Family History Library has a few church records for Montana. The collection includes histories of the United Methodists, United Brethren, and Roman Catholics.

Many denominations have gathered their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)[edit | edit source]

Early Montana ward and branch records are available on microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Find film numbers by searching the FamilySearch Catalog, or by refering to Jaussi, Laureen R., and Gloria D. Chaston. Register of Genealogical Society Call Numbers. 2 vols. Provo, Utah: Genealogy Tree, 1982. (FHL book 979.2258 A3j; fiche 6031507). These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple records.

Methodist[edit | edit source]

Montana Methodist Historical Society
Paul M. Adams Memorial Library
Rocky Mountain College
1511 Poly Drive
Billings, MT 59102
Phone: 406-657-1000 or 1-800-877-6259
Fax: 406-259-9751

Presbyterian[edit | edit source]

Presbyterian Historical Society
United Presbyterian Church in the United States
425 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516
Phone: 215-627-1852
Fax: 215-627-0509
Email: Refdesk@history.pcusa.org

Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]

Diocese of Great Falls—Billings
121 23rd Street South
P.O. Box 1399
Great Falls, MT 59403-1399
Phone: 406-727-6683
Fax: 406-454-3480

The diocese includes the counties of: Big Horn, Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Hill ,Judith Basin, Liberty, McCone, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux and Yellowstone

Diocese of Helena Archive
515 North Ewing
P.O. Box 1729
Helena, MT 59624-1729
Phone: 406-442-5820

The diocese includes the counties of: Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Gallatin, Glacier, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders, Silver Bow, Teton, Wheatland

The following guides may help you find church records:

A Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Montana. Bozeman, Montana: Historical Records Survey, 1941. FHL Collection book 978.6 K24h; film 908039 item 8
Inventory of the Vital Statistics Records of Church and Religious Organizations in Montana. Bozeman, Montana: Historical Records Survey, 1942. FHL Collection book 978.6 V2hi; film 1036415 item 3; fiche 6046711. This gives the types of records available in 1942 and the years covered by the records.

A list of pre-1910 churches, their addresses, and dates they began keeping records is in Montana's Genealogical and Local History Records (see Montana For Further Reading).

References[edit | edit source]

↑ Sydney E. Ahlstrom, A Religious History of the American People (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). FHL Book 973 K2ah.

[1] Sydney E. Ahlstrom, A Religious History of the American People (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). FHL Book 973 K2ah.

[1]

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-{{MT-sidebar}}
+''[[United States|United States&nbsp;]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] &nbsp;[[Montana|Montana&nbsp;]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] &nbsp;[[Montana_Church_Records|Montana Church Records]]''
-{{breadcrumb
-| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
-| link2=[[United States Church Records|U.S. Church Records]]
-| link3=[[Montana, United States Genealogy|Montana]]
-| link4=
-| link5=[[Montana Church Records|Church Records]]
-}}
-<div style="float:right; margin:30px">
-{|
-|-
-|style="border:1px solid DarkBlue; margin:70px; background:GhostWhite; width 15%; padding-right:15px; padding-left:15px; height:50px "|
-<center>'''For greater success, use all the Wiki Articles in this series:'''</center>
-*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?|'''What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?''']]
-*[[Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended|'''Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended''']]
-*[[How to Find Church Records in the United States|'''How to Find Church Records in the United States''']]
-*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination''' ]]
-*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by U.S. State|'''Searching for Church Records by U.S. State''']]
-|}
-</div>
-------
-==Historical Background==
-Before 1900 the largest religious groups in [[Montana Genealogy|Montana]] were the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian churches.<ref>Sydney E. Ahlstrom, ''A Religious History of the American People'' (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). {{FSC|282712|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 K2ah}}.</ref> Each group arrived during the territorial period to proselyte among the Indians and the miners.
-The largest denominations in Montana as of 2010 were the Catholic Church with 127,612 adherents, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 46,484 adherents, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 38,665 adherents, and nondenominational Evangelical Protestant with 27,370 adherents.<ref>"Montana: Religion" in Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana#Religion. Accessed 10 July 2020.</ref>
-===Missions===
+__TOC__
-*St. Francis Xavier Mission Jesuit mission 1887-1960
+Before 1900 the largest religious groups in [[Montana Genealogy|Montana]] were the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian churches.<ref>Sydney E. Ahlstrom, ''A Religious History of the American People'' (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). {{FHL|282712|item|disp=FHL Book 973 K2ah}}.</ref> Each group arrived during the territorial period to proselyte among the Indians and the miners.
-*Holy Family Mission Jesuit mission 1890-1914  - [http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/nwda-search/fstyle.aspx?doc=WUGJopaMH04.xml&t=k&q Guide] to records
-*Ignatius Mission 1854 Catholic on Flathead Reservation
-*St. Paul's Mission 1887 Catholic on Fort Belknap Reservation
-*St. Mary's Mission Jesuit 1841-1908
-*St. Paul's Mission Catholic 1887
-*St. Peter's Mission Jesuit 1859-1898
-==Information Found in the Records==
-To effectively use church records, become familiar with their content. Click on these links to learn about a specific record type:
-{|
-|-
-|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
-*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Baptisms or Christenings|Baptisms or Christenings]]
-*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Marriages|Marriages]]
-|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
-*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Funerals or Burials|Funerals or Burials]]
-*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Membership Lists|Membership Lists]]
-|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
-*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Minutes or Historical Narrative|Minutes or Historical Narrative]]
-|}
-==Finding the Records==
+==== Missions  ====
-===Look for online records.===
-<br>
+*St. Francis Xavier Mission Jesuit mission 1887-1960
+*Holy Family Mission Jesuit mission 1890-1914&nbsp; -&nbsp;[http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/nwda-search/fstyle.aspx?doc=WUGJopaMH04.xml&t=k&q Guide]&nbsp;to records
+*Ignatius Mission 1854 Catholic on Flathead Reservation
+*St. Paul's Mission 1887 Catholic on Fort Belknap Reservation
+*St. Mary's Mission Jesuit 1841-1908
+*St. Paul's Mission Catholic 1887
+*St. Peter's Mission Jesuit 1859-1898
-{|
+The [[Family History Library]] has a few church records for Montana. The collection&nbsp;includes histories of the United Methodists, United Brethren, and Roman Catholics.
-|-
-|
-[[File:Caution sign.png|70px]]
-|
-Online databases are <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span>. This can lead to two common errors:
-#'''Near matches:''' Researchers might <span style="color:Red">'''mistakenly accept an entry very similar to their ancestor'''</span>, thinking it is the only one available. Only use information that matches your ancestor in date, place, relationships, and other details.
-#'''Stopping research''': Researchers might <span style="color:Red">'''assume the database proves church records do not exist'''</span>.  Actually the record is still out there, just not in this <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span> collection of records.  Keep searching!
-|}
-====Indexes====
-*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60065 Montana, Select Marriages, 1889-1947]($), index
-*[http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30193/montana-marriages-1889-1947?s=218489221 Montana, Marriages, 1889-1947]($), index
-====Dutch Reformed====
-*'''1856-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60524/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970], index & images, incomplete.($)
-*'''1856-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60767/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970], index & images, incomplete.($)
-====Lutheran====
-*'''1781-1969'''  - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969], index & images, incomplete.($)
-====Presbyterian====
+Many denominations have gathered their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.
-*'''1701-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970], index & images, incomplete.($)
-===Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. ===
+=== The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)  ===
-[[File:Family History Library.jpg|right|thumb|<center>'''FamilySearch Library'''<br>'''Salt Lake City, Utah'''</center>]]
-*The [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] (FS Library) has a substantial collection of original church records and transcripts on microfilm for churches in the United States.
-*Online church records can be listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under the state, county, or town.
-*If you find a record that has not yet been digitized, see [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-request-that-a-microfilm-be-digitized '''How do I request that a microfilm be digitized?''']
-*Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a [https://locations.familysearch.org/en/search '''FamilySearch Center'''] near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations.
-*To find records:
-:::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=19&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Montana%22 '''records of United States, Montana'''].
-:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Montana''' and a list of counties will appear.
-:::c. Click on your county if it appears.
-:::d. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
-:::e. Click on '''Places within United States, Montana[COUNTY]''' and a list of towns will appear.
-:::f. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
-:::g. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
-:::h. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. [[File:FHL icons.png|75px]].  The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.
------
-===Consult available finding aids.===
+Early Montana ward and branch records are available on microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.&nbsp;Find film numbers by searching&nbsp;the FamilySearch Catalog, or by refering to Jaussi, Laureen R., and Gloria D. Chaston. Register of Genealogical Society Call Numbers. 2 vols. Provo, Utah: Genealogy Tree, 1982. (FHL book 979.2258 A3j; fiche 6031507). These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple records.
-'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
-*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/252265-redirection '''''A Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Montana'''''.] Bozeman, Montana: Historical Records Survey, 1941. {{FSC|187579|item}} book 978.6 K24h; film 908039 item 8
-*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/604327-redirection '''''Inventory of the Vital Statistics Records of Church and Religious Organizations in Montana'''''.] Bozeman, Montana: Historical Records Survey, 1942. {{FSC|197064|item}} book 978.6 V2hi; film 1036415 item 3; fiche 6046711. This gives the types of records available in 1942 and the years covered by the records.
-----
-===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.===
+=== Methodist  ===
-Some records are still held in the local churches. Contact the current minister to find out what records are still available.
-*'''Make an appointment''' to look at the records. Or ask the minister of the church to make a copy of the record for you.
-*To find church staff available, you might have to visit on Sunday.
-*Ask for small searches at a time, such as one birth record or a specific marriage. Never ask for "everything on a family or surname".
-*A '''donation''' ($25-$40) for their time and effort to help you would be appropriate.
-*If the church has a website, you may be able to '''e-mail a message'''.
-*See the [[Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy|'''Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy''']] for help with composing letters.
-*Each [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''denomination page''']] offers an [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''online address directory of local churches''']] for that denomination.
-===Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.===
+'''Montana Methodist Historical Society <br>'''[http://www.rocky.edu/academics/library/Archives.php Paul M. Adams Memorial Library] <br>[http://www.rocky.edu/ Rocky Mountain College]<br>1511 Poly Drive<br>Billings, MT 59102 <br>Phone: 406-657-1000 or 1-800-877-6259<br>Fax: 406-259-9751
-Some church records have been deposited for preservation in government archives or in libraries. Watch for links to '''digitized, online records''' offered by the archives. Some archives provide '''research services''' for a fee. For others, if you cannot visit in person, you might hire a researcher.<br>
-<br>
-<span style="color:DarkViolet">'''Here you will find archive information unique to the state. Many more archives are kept by denomination. For denominational  archives, go to  [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination.''']]</span>
------
+=== Presbyterian  ===
-====Government====
-[http://www.statearchives.us/montana.htm '''Montana Historical Society Library and Archives''']<br>
-N Roberts St.<br>
-Helena, Montana 59620-1201<br>
-<br>
-Phone: (406) 444-2681
-====Lutheran====
+[http://www.history.pcusa.org/ '''Presbyterian Historical Society''']'''<br>'''United Presbyterian Church in the United States <br>425 Lombard Street <br>Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 <br>Phone: 215-627-1852 <br>Fax: 215-627-0509 <br>Email: [mailto:Refdesk@history.pcusa.org Refdesk@history.pcusa.org]
-[http://www.plu.edu/archives '''ELCA Region 1 Archives''']<br>
-Archives and Special Collections<br>
-Mortvedt Library<br>
-Pacific Lutheran University<br>
-Tacoma, WA 98447<br>
-<br>
-(253) 535-7586<br>
-Email: archives@plu.edu<br>
-*Archives hold records for '''closed churches.'''  '''For open churches write directly to [[Lutheran Church in the United States#Correspond with or visit the actual churches.|the local church.''']]
-====Methodist====
+=== Roman Catholic  ===
-'''Montana Methodist Historical Society''' <br>'''[http://www.rocky.edu/academics/library/Archives.php Paul M. Adams Memorial Library]''' <br>[http://www.rocky.edu/ '''Rocky Mountain College''']<br>1511 Poly Drive<br>Billings, MT 59102 <br>Phone: 406-657-1000 or 1-800-877-6259<br>Fax: 406-259-9751
+[http://www.dioceseofgfb.org/index.phtml?p=home '''Diocese of Great Falls—Billings''']<br>121 23rd Street South<br>P.O. Box 1399 <br>Great Falls, MT 59403-1399 <br>Phone: 406-727-6683 <br>Fax: 406-454-3480
-===Roman Catholic===
+The diocese includes the counties of: [[Big Horn County, Montana Genealogy|Big Horn]], [[Blaine County, Montana Genealogy|Blaine]], [[Carbon County, Montana Genealogy|Carbon]], [[Carter County, Montana Genealogy|Carter]], [[Cascade County, Montana Genealogy|Cascade]], [[Chouteau County, Montana Genealogy|Chouteau]], [[Custer County, Montana Genealogy|Custer]], [[Daniels County, Montana Genealogy|Daniels]], [[Dawson County, Montana Genealogy|Dawson]], [[Fallon County, Montana Genealogy|Fallon]], [[Fergus County, Montana Genealogy|Fergus]], [[Garfield County, Montana Genealogy|Garfield]], [[Golden Valley County, Montana Genealogy|Golden Valley]], [[Hill County, Montana Genealogy|Hill]] ,[[Judith Basin County, Montana Genealogy|Judith Basin]], [[Liberty County, Montana Genealogy|Liberty]], [[McCone County, Montana Genealogy|McCone]], [[Musselshell County, Montana Genealogy|Musselshell]], [[Park County, Montana Genealogy|Park]], [[Petroleum County, Montana Genealogy|Petroleum]], [[Phillips County, Montana Genealogy|Phillips]], [[Powder River County, Montana Genealogy|Powder River]], [[Prairie County, Montana Genealogy|Prairie]], [[Richland County, Montana Genealogy|Richland]], [[Rosebud County, Montana Genealogy|Rosebud]], [[Roosevelt County, Montana Genealogy|Roosevelt]], [[Sheridan County, Montana Genealogy|Sheridan]], [[Stillwater County, Montana Genealogy|Stillwater]], [[Sweet Grass County, Montana Genealogy|Sweet Grass]], [[Toole County, Montana Genealogy|Toole]], [[Treasure County, Montana Genealogy|Treasure]], [[Valley County, Montana Genealogy|Valley]], [[Wibaux County, Montana Genealogy|Wibaux]] and [[Yellowstone County, Montana Genealogy|Yellowstone]]
-'''[http://www.dioceseofgfb.org Diocese of Great Falls—Billings]'''<br>121 23rd Street South<br>P.O. Box 1399 <br>Great Falls, MT 59403-1399 <br>Phone: 406-727-6683 <br>Fax: 406-454-3480
+[http://www.diocesehelena.org/offices/archives/accessing-archives.html#geneological '''Diocese of Helena Archive''']<br>515 North Ewing <br>P.O. Box 1729 <br>Helena, MT 59624-1729 <br>Phone: 406-442-5820
-The diocese includes the counties of: [[Big Horn County, Montana Genealogy|Big Horn]], [[Blaine County, Montana Genealogy|Blaine]], [[Carbon County, Montana Genealogy|Carbon]], [[Carter County, Montana Genealogy|Carter]], [[Cascade County, Montana Genealogy|Cascade]], [[Chouteau County, Montana Genealogy|Chouteau]], [[Custer County, Montana Genealogy|Custer]], [[Daniels County, Montana Genealogy|Daniels]], [[Dawson County, Montana Genealogy|Dawson]], [[Fallon County, Montana Genealogy|Fallon]], [[Fergus County, Montana Genealogy|Fergus]], [[Garfield County, Montana Genealogy|Garfield]], [[Golden Valley County, Montana Genealogy|Golden Valley]], [[Hill County, Montana Genealogy|Hill]] ,[[Judith Basin County, Montana Genealogy|Judith Basin]], [[Liberty County, Montana Genealogy|Liberty]], [[McCone County, Montana Genealogy|McCone]], [[Musselshell County, Montana Genealogy|Musselshell]], [[Park County, Montana Genealogy|Park]], [[Petroleum County, Montana Genealogy|Petroleum]], [[Phillips County, Montana Genealogy|Phillips]], [[Powder River County, Montana Genealogy|Powder River]], [[Prairie County, Montana Genealogy|Prairie]], [[Richland County, Montana Genealogy|Richland]], [[Rosebud County, Montana Genealogy|Rosebud]], [[Roosevelt County, Montana Genealogy|Roosevelt]], [[Sheridan County, Montana Genealogy|Sheridan]], [[Stillwater County, Montana Genealogy|Stillwater]], [[Sweet Grass County, Montana Genealogy|Sweet Grass]], [[Toole County, Montana Genealogy|Toole]], [[Treasure County, Montana Genealogy|Treasure]], [[Valley County, Montana Genealogy|Valley]], [[Wibaux County, Montana Genealogy|Wibaux]] and [[Yellowstone County, Montana Genealogy|Yellowstone]]
-----
-'''[http://www.diocesehelena.org Diocese of Helena Archive]'''<br>515 North Ewing <br>P.O. Box 1729 <br>Helena, MT 59624-1729 <br>Phone: 406-442-5820
-*Contact [https://diocesehelena.org/parishes/ '''the local parish''' for records.]
-<br>
 The diocese includes the counties of: [[Beaverhead County, Montana Genealogy|Beaverhead]], [[Broadwater County, Montana Genealogy|Broadwater]], [[Deer Lodge County, Montana Genealogy|Deer Lodge]], [[Flathead County, Montana Genealogy|Flathead]], [[Gallatin County, Montana Genealogy|Gallatin]], [[Glacier County, Montana Genealogy|Glacier]], [[Granite County, Montana Genealogy|Granite]], [[Jefferson County, Montana Genealogy|Jefferson]], [[Lake County, Montana Genealogy|Lake]], [[Lewis and Clark County, Montana Genealogy|Lewis and Clark]], [[Lincoln County, Montana Genealogy|Lincoln]], [[Madison County, Montana Genealogy|Madison]], [[Meagher County, Montana Genealogy|Meagher]], [[Mineral County, Montana Genealogy|Mineral]], [[Missoula County, Montana Genealogy|Missoula]], [[Pondera County, Montana Genealogy|Pondera]], [[Powell County, Montana Genealogy|Powell]], [[Ravalli County, Montana Genealogy|Ravalli]], [[Sanders County, Montana Genealogy|Sanders]], [[Silver Bow County, Montana Genealogy|Silver Bow]], [[Teton County, Montana Genealogy|Teton]], [[Wheatland County, Montana Genealogy|Wheatland]]
-----
-===Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.===
-Some church records have been given to historical societies. Also, historical societies may be able to tell you where the records are being held. To find a society near you, consult these lists:
-<br>
-==Next, go to the Wiki article for your ancestors' denomination. ==
+The following guides may help you find church records:
-There are frequently additional, nationwide or regional archives and online collections for each denomination.  Find the article for your ancestors' denomination and follow the instructions there to access these sources.
-{{Template:US-church-sidebar}}
-<br>
-==Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor==
+*''A Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Montana''. Bozeman, Montana: Historical Records Survey, 1941. {{FHL|187579|item}} book 978.6 K24h; film 908039 item 8
-You will possibly find many different people with the '''same name as your ancestor,''' especially when a family stayed in a locality for several generations, and several children were named after the '''grandparents or aunts and uncles'''. Be prepared to find the correct church records by organizing in advance as many of these exact details about the ancestor '''as possible''':
+*''Inventory of the Vital Statistics Records of Church and Religious Organizations in Montana''. Bozeman, Montana: Historical Records Survey, 1942. {{FHL|197064|item}} book 978.6 V2hi; film 1036415 item 3; fiche 6046711. This gives the types of records available in 1942 and the years covered by the records.
-*'''name''', including '''middle name and maiden name'''
-*names of all '''spouses''', including middle and maiden name
-*exact or closely estimated '''dates of birth, marriage, and death'''
-*names and approximate birthdates of '''children'''
-*all known places of '''residence'''
-*'''occupations'''
-*'''military''' service details
-<br>
-[[File:Dark_thin_font_green_pin_Version_4.png|50px]]'''Carefully evaluate''' the church records you find to make sure you have really found records for your ancestor and not just a '''"near match"'''. If one or more of the details do not line up, be careful about accepting the entry as your ancestor. There are guiding principles for deciding how to resolve discrepancies between records that are seemingly close. For more instruction in evaluating evidence, read the Wiki article, [[Evaluate the Evidence|'''Evaluate the Evidence'''.]]
+A list of pre-1910 churches, their addresses, and dates they began keeping records is in Montana's Genealogical and Local History Records (see [[Montana For Further Reading]]).<br>
-==References==
+== References  ==
 <references />
@@ Line 174: / Line 54: @@
 {{Montana|Montana}} {{USChurch}}
-[[Category:Montana, United States|Church]]
+[[Category:Montana|Church]] [[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
-[[Category:U S States Church records]]