Genealogy Research Requests
Submit a Request
Genealogy research requests may be submitted either online or by mail.
Submit a request online
Send a request by mail
No faxed or telephoned requests will be accepted.
The Research Center of the Montana Historical Society maintains a large collection of library, archival, and photographic materials that may be used in compiling family histories.
Fees & Payment
If you are unable to visit our Research Center to conduct your own research, our staff will research your request for a small fee.
Defining Your Search
The specific information you need us to find (i.e. a name, an event, a date or a document) and any sources you require us to search (i.e. city directory, obituary or census) must be clearly defined in your request. Vague or otherwise poorly defined requests cannot be researched and will be returned!
In addition to being well-defined, each request must be limited in scope. For obvious reasons, we cannot conduct "endless" searches. For example, we cannot:
- Compile your family genealogy or complete pedigree charts
- Answer requests for "any and all" information on an individual or family
- Speculate why an ancestor did what they did, or describe in detail what life in Montana was like for your ancestor
- Analyze long and detailed family histories and determine what searches to do for you
An example of one genealogy search includes up to three of the following:
- a search for a surname in a local county history for one county
- a search for a household or individual in a city directory
- a search for one household in a census
- a search for one obituary
- a search for one marriage license
MHS Members eligible for two complimentary research requests, may submit their second complimentary request once they have received a response to their first request.
Birth and Death Records
The Research Center does not maintain birth and death records for the state of Montana. These records can be obtained from the county in which the event occurred or the Montana Office of Vital Statistics.
Submitting Your Request
You can submit your request online and pay with a credit card, or send your request by mail along with a check made payable to "Montana Historical Society Research Center" (see mailing address printed on form).Fulfillment
Research requests are handled in the order they are received. Turn-around time is 15-20 business days, dating from the receipt of payment.Libel, Privacy, & Copyright Concerns
Providing research information does not imply permission to publish it. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright that may be involved in use of the collections. If you have questions about the reproduction policy, please email us.Contact Us
For questions about the Research Center and the services we provide, please contact the Research Center at 406.444.2681 or email mhslibrary@mt.govFor technical questions concerning the online payment portal, please contact our online services help desk at 406.449.3468.
