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County level research is essential in the pursuit of family and local history. The list below highlights the most common county courthouse records used by genealogists, but there are many more record sets available. Use the guides below and explore the specific resources for the counties of interest to assure that you locate all pertinent documents.
When requesting courthouse records, inquire about both docket books and paper files. Often both types of material exist for each record. While the two formats may merely repeat the data, one may be easier to read than the other. And, in many cases, there are further details, unique notations, over-sized pages such as maps, and so on, that are filed in only the docket book or in only the paper file. Seeing both will provide a more complete review of the record.
| Birth Records |
See the Vital Records section of this guide. |
|---|---|
| Civil Lawsuits |
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| Coroner's Inquests |
Note: The County Attorney assists the coroner in conducting an inquest before a jury. Inquests identify the decedent, cause of death, and those who may be culpable. All deaths that occur while the decedent is in custody must be investigated. |
| Criminal Court |
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| Death Records | See the Vital Records section of this guide. |
| Deeds |
|
| Divorce Records | See the Vital Records section of this guide. |
| Marriage Records | See the Vital Records section of this guide. |
| Naturalizations |
Note: Naturalizations from District Court records may be available in Microform at the Montana Historical Society External or through interlibrary loan. |
| Taxes |
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| Will and Probate |
|
The subscription resources marked with a padlock 
are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.
Using Ancestry Library Edition for Montana
Begin your search through Ancestry's vast collections, by viewing the list designated as Montana records External.
Using FamilySearch for Montana
FamilySearch provides useful state and county wikis that make excellent starting points for research. The Montana Wiki External includes links to each of its counties.
FamilySearch has digitized many of its microfilms containing county courthouse records. Not all records have been indexed yet, so search engine results may NOT show you the full range of FamilySearch data. You must browse the FamilySearch catalog External listings for each county to view the full set of records available. The vast amount of accessible original records is well worth your time to explore.
There is no fee to use FamilySearch, but you must create a free, personal account to access the databases and digital records.
Below are selected print publications for statewide courthouse records. The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.
To locate additional published materials, go to the Print Resources section of this guide for search tips on locating published county courthouse records, abstracts, and indexes that may aide you in locating original records at the county level.
County Courthouse Book by 
Courthouse Research for Family Historians by 
