2025 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference

Welcome to the 2025 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference!

Date: 18-20 September 2025

Location: Heritage Inn, 1700 Fox Farm Road, Great Falls, Montana

Join us in Great Falls for our 33rd annual conference. This year's event will feature engaging workshops, expert speakers, the Book Frolic sale, the annual membership meeting, and networking opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, there's something for everyone. Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts and learn more about your heritage. See you there!

Info: Drop off your gently-used book donations in the Montana/Alberta Room for inclusion in our annual fundraiser. The Book Frolic will be a progressive sale this year. Hard covers will start at $5, soft covers at $3, and prices will decrease throughout the conference.

Info: Lewis/Clark Room. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Info: Lewis/Clark Room. Learn how to certify your ancestors who were in Montana either prior to statehood, or between 9 November 1889 and 31 December 1929.

Info: Missouri Room. Megan Sanford with the Great Falls History Museum will provide an overview of this valuable resource.

Info: Mingle with other attendees and enjoy dessert on us! No cost to attend, but registration is required.

Info: ABC Room

Info: ABC Room. Genealogy isn’t just about tracing lineage—it’s about understanding the world our ancestors lived in. This presentation will introduce the role of social history in family history research, showing how daily life influenced past generations. Discover how to use historical sources to add depth to your family history and bring your ancestors’ stories to life.

Info: ABC Room. Railroads for nearly two centuries have been the preferred mode of transportation for many of our ancestors. Their rich history includes details on when lines started, ceased, merged, or filed bankruptcy. Records including employee, manuscripts, directories, pensions, social security, and other organizations including the Pullman Porters and Harvey Girls are examined.

Info: Main Convention Area. Deli Sandwich Buffet.

Info: ABC Room. Family history isn’t just found in documents—objects tell powerful stories too. This presentation introduces genealogists to the study of material culture, exploring how heirlooms, textiles, tools, photographs, and everyday artifacts can provide insights into ancestors’ lives. Learn how to analyze and interpret these items, trace their origins, and use them to deepen your understanding of family history and social heritage.

Info: ABC Room. For many centuries, maps have been the preferred choice of travelers the world over. They not only serve as reliable guides to desired destinations, they also assist the user in getting his or her bearings straight. But beyond direction and bearing, maps enrich the genealogist’s journey through the roadways and byways of personal history. From fire insurance maps that provide minute detail of our ancestors’ homes, to election maps that detail boundaries of registered voters in large cities, you’re sure to find a research path not yet considered.

Info: ABC Room. Cemeteries are rich with history, offering valuable insights into the lives of our ancestors. This presentation explores how to analyze grave markers for genealogical research, from deciphering symbols and epitaphs to understanding materials, styles, and burial customs over time. Learn how to interpret headstones to uncover new details about your family’s past.

Info: ABC Room. General Society business, vote on Bylaws updates, officer elections. All are encouraged to participate!

Info: Main Convention Area. Pork tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon, chocolate cake for dessert. Presentation of the Anna Mae Hanson Award and the Al Hunstman Award. Presentation by Tim McGonigal.

Info: ABC Room. Beginning genealogy research on your ancestors who served in the military is not without rewards; research can be both challenging and daunting for persons not familiar with the records, repositories, and the methodology employed to find details of military service. This lecture focuses on a large number of records, strategies, and techniques on how to research military ancestors from the colonial era through Vietnam that can be used to discover facts about your ancestor’s life.

Info: ABC Room. Sectional differences and ideology tore apart the United States between 1861 and 1865. This lecture, separated in two parts, is an in-depth examination of the various military records used to search for soldiers, sailors, and marines on both sides during this conflict. Compiled Service Records, Pensions, Draft Registrations, and related genealogical material is covered in this presentation. Civilian records covering the war period are also examined in both segments of this lecture.

Info: Main Convention Area. Baked Potato Bar.

Info: ABC Room.

Info: ABC Room. Traditional records often overlook women’s lives, but with the right approach, their stories can be uncovered. This lecture explores unconventional sources for researching historical women, including court records, diaries, midwife journals, community cookbooks, textiles, and more. Learn how to navigate these lesser-known resources to piece together their lives.

Host or Publisher Montana State Genealogical Society