MTLRS59.xml Guide to the Montana Livestock Commission Records 1889-1970 Montana Livestock Commission records Finding aid prepared by MTHS Staff; Updated by Lindsey Mick Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Montana Historical Society 2004; 2024 Finding aid encoded by Ellie Arguimbau with assistance by Cuadra Associates; Updated by Lindsey Mick2004; 2024 Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition) Montana Historical Society Archives RS 59_RS 500 Montana Livestock Commission Montana Livestock Commission records 1889-1970 20 linear feet This collection is a subgroup (Board) of the Montana Department of Livestock records, RS 500. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Department of Livestock records. These records of the Board of Livestock (formerly named Montana Livestock Commission), and its predecessor the Montana Board of Stock Commissioners, consist of bounty claims and payments, journals, collection books, and miscellaneous financial record volumes. 119:5-3 English

The Montana Board of Stock Commissioners was established in 1885 to protect the interests of cattle and horse ranchers. In 1917 it was consolidated with the Board of Sheep Commissioners to form the Montana Livestock Commission. The Commission was composed of six members to be appointed by the Governor. Each member had to be a resident of the state and an owner of cattle, sheep, or horses. The Commission was mandated to "exercise general supervision over and, so far as possible, protect the live stock interests of the State from theft and disease, and recommend from time to time such legislation as will in the judgment of the Commission, foster the industry." The Commission was also given the power to prosecute violations of livestock laws, including illegal use of brands and rustling, and to pay bounties for the killing of predator animals, including wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. In 1971, the Livestock Commission was renamed the Board of Livestock and became purely a governing body, giving up its administrative functions to the new Department of Livestock.

Records consist primarily of bounty certificate registers (1895-1832) and a bounty claim list (1892-1895). In addition there are numerous financial volumes, including cash books (1888-1933), journals (1888-1971), ledgers (1888-1922), warrant registers (1885-1899), salaries and expenses (1915-1923), and egg seals cash receipts (1966-1970).

The collection is arranged by series.

Collection open for research

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. The Library & Archives does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

In 2024, the various collections of the Department of Livestock were integrated under one collection identifier, RS 500, in order to help facilitate access, reduce redundancy in the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives catalog, and to follow best archival practices.

Collections from the Department of Livestock's Divisions and Boards that were previously treated as separate entities are now integrated into this collection, RS 500. Rather than reprocessing over 50 linear feet of Livestock materials, MTHS staff decided to keep the past arrangement of those collections/finding aids and provide access to them via links in this central finding aid. This decision has allowed the MTHS archival staff to maintain intellectual control over the collection, while removing the need to reprocess it. It also keeps State Agency finding aids at manageable sizes. Please read the Content Note carefully to determine if this subgroup/sub-subgroup pertains to your research needs.

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives, Helena, Montana.

Acquisition information is available upon request.

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Montana Historical Society Archives catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search under these terms.

Agriculture and state--Montana Cattle brands--Montana Cattle raising--Montana Wolves--Control--Montana Montana Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

Miscellany Vol. 1-2 Journals 1888-1892, 1909-1931 Vol. 3-15 Journals 1923-1971 Vol. 16 Bounty claims list 1892-1895 Vol. 17-42 Bounty certificate record, vols. A-Z 1895-1932 Vol. 43 Record of inspectors' outside work 1962-1971 Vol. 44-45 Stock estrays 1934-1964 Financial records Vol. 46 Salaries and expenses 1915-1923 Vol. 47 Egg seals and cash receipts 1966-1970 Vol. 79-81 Cash books 1888-1933 Vol. 82-84 Account ledgers 1888-1912, 1917-1922 Vol. 85 Warrant register 1885-1899