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Montana Homesteading Project records, 2004-2006

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Montana Historical Society
Title
Montana Homesteading Project records
Dates
2004-2006 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.8 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
MC 340 (collection)
Summary
The Montana Homesteading project was initiated by the Montana Historical Society in cooperation with the Homestead National Monument of America in 2004 as a means to document family stories relating to homesteading experiences in Montana. The project focused on living descendants of homesteaders in Montana in an effort to gather written stories and/or names for potential oral history interviewees—23 interviews were conducted for this project. The historical information submission form, arranged alphabetically by family name, contains background information on families who homesteaded in Montana, primarily between 1909-1930. Some files contain additional information including reminiscences, photographs, and official homesteading documentation. The Montana Homesteading Project was a short term project and is now closed to additions or donations.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Supplemental documentation provided with the historical information submission forms is provided for research purposes only. The Montana Historical Society does not hold copyright on these materials.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

The Montana Homesteading project was initiated by the Montana Historical Society in cooperation with the Homestead National Monument of America in 2004 as a means to document family stories relating to homesteading experiences in Montana. The project focused on living descendants of homesteaders, primarily between 1910 and 1930, in an effort to gain written stories and/or names for potential oral history interviewees.

The Homestead National Monument of America commemorates the Homestead Act of 1862. Homestead National Monument of America, located in Southeast Nebraska, commemorates this Act and the far-reaching effects it had upon the landscape and people of the plains. Located on the site of the one of the first homesteads claimed, this National Monument is a tribute to the courage and tenacity of the settlers and original inhabitants of this land. It is maintained by the National Park Service.

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Content Description

The historical information submission form, arranged alphabetically by family name, contain minimal background information on families who homesteaded in Montana. Some files contain additional information including reminiscences, photographs, and paper documentation. It is valuable because it contains family stories relating to homesteading experiences in Montana.

Participation in this project was completely voluntary. The historical information submission forms ask the participant a series of questions, including:

  • When and how did your family/ancestors arrive in Montana?
  • Do you know how they heard about homesteaded opportunities in Montana?
  • Where did your family/ancestors homestead?
  • Do you know the legal land description(s) of the homestead(s) in question?
  • Were they able to "prove-up" on the homestead?

The form then asked to add any family stories or first-hand experiences you would like to share relating to homesteading/farm life in Montana. There is a wide variety of material, based on the time each respondent took to reply. Thus some files are very rich in information, and others are quite scant.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

[item description and date]. Montana Homesteading Project records, 2004-2006. Manuscript Collection 340. [box and folder number]. Montana Historical Society Research Center. Archives. Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The information survey forms are arranged alphabetically by family name.

Location of Collection

16:2-6

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request.

Future Additions

This collection is not currently accepting additions.

Processing Note

This collection was originally processed in 2007.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Frontier and pioneer life--Montana
  • Homesteading--Montana
  • Pioneers--Montana
  • Ranching--Montana
  • Rural Transportation--Montana
  • Women homesteaders--Montana

Geographical Names

  • Montana--Rural conditions
  • Montana--Social life and customs

Finding aid prepared by Karen Bjork
2007

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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