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*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=28877 Montana: the land and the people], ($), index | *[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=28877 Montana: the land and the people], ($), index | ||
*[http://mtmemory.org/cdm/search/collection/p15018coll43/ County Histories of Montana]. | *[http://mtmemory.org/cdm/search/collection/p15018coll43/ County Histories of Montana]. | ||
*[http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/browse?type=lcsubc&key=Montana Online Books - Montana] | |||
*[http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.35112101782409;view=1up;seq=1 The Montana blue book], e-book<br><br> | *[http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.35112101782409;view=1up;seq=1 The Montana blue book], e-book<br><br> | ||
Biographies provide useful genealogical information such as a person’s birth date and place; names of family members, including maiden names; education; occupation; and social, political, and religious affiliation. They may also contain a physical description of the person, previous residences, and immigration information. Biographies are the product of family knowledge or previous research about early settlers and prominent citizens of a state, county, or town. Local histories may contain biographical sketches of lesser-known people. | Biographies provide useful genealogical information such as a person’s birth date and place; names of family members, including maiden names; education; occupation; and social, political, and religious affiliation. They may also contain a physical description of the person, previous residences, and immigration information. Biographies are the product of family knowledge or previous research about early settlers and prominent citizens of a state, county, or town. Local histories may contain biographical sketches of lesser-known people. | ||
==Biographies in Local Histories== | |||
*Biographical information is often found in '''state, county, and town histories'''. | *Biographical information is often found in '''state, county, and town histories'''. | ||
*Towards the end of the 19th century, began publishers soliciting short biographical/family histories from local founding families, offering to publish them in an upcoming local history. This then became an incentive for family members to buy a copy of the book. | *Towards the end of the 19th century, began publishers soliciting short biographical/family histories from local founding families, offering to publish them in an upcoming local history. This then became an incentive for family members to buy a copy of the book. | ||
*Families represented were '''not necessarily prominent'''. Practically everyone living there, especially in the Midwest, counted as an early settler. | *Families represented were '''not necessarily prominent'''. Practically everyone living there, especially in the Midwest, counted as an early settler. | ||
*These biographies often start with '''the first member of the family to settle in the area''', and detail their descendants at the time of publishing. They may tell '''where the family moved in from'''. Children's marriages often are given, with '''maiden names''' included. | *These biographies often start with '''the first member of the family to settle in the area''', and detail their descendants at the time of publishing. They may tell '''where the family moved in from'''. Children's marriages often are given, with '''maiden names''' included. | ||
===Finding Biographies=== | |||
*The [[Montana, United States Genealogy#Counties|'''county Wiki page''']] lists several county histories. It also lists '''local libraries, and societies''' which probably have copies of local histories. | *The [[Montana, United States Genealogy#Counties|'''county Wiki page''']] lists several county histories. It also lists '''local libraries, and societies''' which probably have copies of local histories. | ||
*Many histories are no longer under copyright and can be found in the following '''online, digitized book collections'''. Search with keywords "History" and "the name of your locality" (state, county, or town). | *Many histories are no longer under copyright and can be found in the following '''online, digitized book collections'''. Search with keywords "History" and "the name of your locality" (state, county, or town). | ||
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The [http://mhs.mt.gov/ Montana Historical Society] has an extensive collection of biographical materials. There is no statewide biographical index or major manuscript collection. You may find information in the biographical sections of state, regional, and county histories. | The [http://mhs.mt.gov/ Montana Historical Society] has an extensive collection of biographical materials. There is no statewide biographical index or major manuscript collection. You may find information in the biographical sections of state, regional, and county histories. | ||
== Biographical Encyclopedias == | |||
Representative biographical encyclopedias for [[Montana Genealogy|Montana]] are: | Representative biographical encyclopedias for [[Montana Genealogy|Montana]] are: | ||
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::Note: Contains brief biographies of settlers who arrived in Montana before the territory was established in 1864. | ::Note: Contains brief biographies of settlers who arrived in Montana before the territory was established in 1864. | ||
== Further Reading == | |||
See the [[United States Biographies|United States Biographies]] page for information on nationwide biographical collections. See also the Montana "[[Montana History|History]]" and "[[Montana Genealogy|Genealogy]]" sections for additional sources. You may wish to explore biography, history and genealogy sections in the wiki at county levels also. | See the [[United States Biographies|United States Biographies]] page for information on nationwide biographical collections. See also the Montana "[[Montana History|History]]" and "[[Montana Genealogy|Genealogy]]" sections for additional sources. You may wish to explore biography, history and genealogy sections in the wiki at county levels also. | ||
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