Newsletter Archive

2022  |  2021  |  2020 |  2019  |  2018  |  2017  |  2016  |  2015  |  2014  | 2013  | 2012  |  2011  |  2010

The October 2022 edition features reports from the MSGS Board Meeting and the membership meeting held during the annual conference, as well as the conference evaluation summary, winners of the Anna Mae Hanson award, an annual financial report, and several local society updates.

The July 2022 edition contains details about the 2022 annual conference at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, as well as reports from the MSGS Board, the MSGS librarian, and several local society updates.

The April 2022 issue features reports from the MSGS Board and the MSGS librarian, local society updates, information about the 1950 census and free genealogy websites, as well as exciting news about the 2022 MSGS Annual Conference.

January 2022 Issue features a MSGS Library Report, information about an upcoming online learning opportunity, Local Society Updates, and ordering information for Volume V of First Families and Early Settlers

October 2021 Issue features MSGS Board news, including the announcement that Volume V of the First Families and Early Settlers will be available for purchase in November, 2021; Local Society Reports, a new section showing links to online genealogical education, and a MSGS Library Report.

July 2021 Issue features Local Society Reports, an update on progress at the MSGS Library in Helena, information on the September 2022 Conference, a look ahead to the Celebration of the 250th year of United States independence, and a continuation of the comparison of the remaining 6 women covered in the book Nothing to Tell Extraordinary Stories of Montana Ranch Women by Donna Gray to their entries in the FamilySearch Family Tree.

April 2021 Issue features Local Society Reports and how each is adapting to restrictions, the announcement that the September 2021 Conference has been cancelled but plans are finalized for the September 2022 Conference, and a comparison of 6 of the 12 women covered in the book Nothing to Tell Extraordinary Stories of Montana Ranch Women by Donna Gray to their entries in the FamilySearch Family Tree.

January 2021 Issue features updates on how all of us have adapted through the months of Covid-19 restrictions, helpful research-from-home tips including one for Norwegian research, details on everything the Liberty County Museum in Chester has to offer, the success of Billings Genealogists to supply necessary documentation to restore vandalized veteran tombstones in Mountview Cemetery in time for Veteran’s Day, and a request to identify a couple in a found photo. Email msgs.bigskyroundup@gmail.com if you know their identity or where it might have been taken.

The July 2020 and October 2020 Issues of the Big Sky Roundup were not published.

April 2020 Issue features Local Society Reports and how each is reacting to the Covid-19 restrictions, Ideas on how to use the time at home to further your genealogical research, updates on the MSGS Library, and the latest information on the September 2020 MSGS Conference at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

January 2020 Issue features an update on the MSGS Library and the scanning project, summary of the October 2019 MSGS Board Meeting, information on upcoming Genealogical conferences in the western US, and Local Society Reports.

October 2019 Issue features the wrapup on the 2019 Conference in Helena, summary of the September 2019 MSGS Board Meeting & Annual Meeting, an article on the Montana law requiring gun registrations during WW1 and the records it created, update on the MSGS Library, and Local Society Reports.

July 2019 Issue features the latest details on the 2019 Conference in Helena, summary of the July 2019 MSGS Board Meeting and approval of Revised MSGS Standing Rules, and Local Society Reports.

April 2019 Issue features Local Society Reports, Yearbooks available on Montana Memory Project, Suggestions on how to convert computer files saved in outdated programs, Details on what is provided for accepted Applications in the First Family & Early Settlers of Montana program, and the latest information on the September 2019 MSGS Conference in Helena.

January 2019 Issue features several sources featuring Montana ancestors including Montana Mining Country from the International German Genealogy website, Montana Military Records on FamilySearch, the Crazy Mountain Museum in Big Timber, and Montana immigrants featured in “Norwegians in Montana, Their History and Record” translated by Olaf Tronson. Also Local Society Reports, and a summary of the October 2018 MSGS Board Meeting.

October 2018 Issue wraps up the 2018 Conference in Great Falls, complete with a summary of the evaluation sheets, news that the revision of the MSGS Bylaws passed, Award Winners at the 2018 Conference, Local Society Reports, and a summary of the September 2018 MSGS Board Meeting.

July 2018 Issue features the latest details on the 2018 Conference in Great Falls, Information on the Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering in Hamilton, update on the revision of MSGS Bylaws, summary of the July 2018 MSGS Board Meeting, Local Society Reports and Genealogy on Facebook information.

April 2018 Issue marks the first issue by our new editor, Fran Jensen. It features a summary of the March 2018 MSGS Board Meeting, an update on the MSGS Bylaw revision process, Local Society Reports, current web & facebook addresses for member societies and a detailed preview of the 2018 Conference in Great Falls.

October 2017 Issue features a review of the 2017 Conference in Billings, (along with summary of the evaluation sheets), the 1st News on the 2018 Conference in Great Falls, Possibility of re-establishing a Daughters of 1812 Society in Montana, Announcement of New Norwegian database on MSGS Website, MSGS’s presence at the FGS Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, Local Society Reports, and a story of making connections while at conference.

July 2017 Issue features the latest details on the 2017 Conference in Billings, Information on the Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering on August 19 & 20 in Hamilton, summary of the July 2017 MSGS Board Meeting, Local Society Reports and an article (to be continued) listing some of the treasures found in the Vertical Files of the MSGS/LCCGS Library in Helena.

April 2017 Issue features the latest details on the 2017 Conference in Billings, a report that Paulette Parpart was named Montana Librarian of the Year, summary of the March 2017 MSGS Board Meeting, Local Society Reports and an article on the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) detailing who they are and what they do; who might qualify for membership; and current chapters in Montana.

October 2016 Issue features the 2016 Conference in Missoula in Review, the 1st News on the 2017 Conference in Billings, Status of the Save the Pensions – War of 1812 Fund Raising Project, Local Society Reports, and the story of the Man Behind Montana’s State Song

July 2016 Issue features all the events and speakers of the 2016 Conference in Missoula, and Local Society Reports.

April 2016 Issue features the latest details on the 2016 Conference in Missoula, handy websites for genetic genealogy and 1883 Pensioners, and Local Society Reports.

October 2015 Issue features the highlights and photos from the 2015 Conference in Butte including presentation of awards, the unveiling of First Families and Early Settlers of Montana Volume IV, the Memorial Program, and Local Society Reports.

July 2015 Issue features all details plus the change of speakers (Paul Milner will now be joined by Ceil Wendt Jensen, MA) for the upcoming September 24-26, 2015 Conference in Butte, Local Society Reports, an Update concerning Genealogist’s Role in helping keep records available, and an article on hard rock drilling contests and the Butte man who became a world champion at them.

April 2015 Issue features an opportunity to become more involved in the State Society, Local Society Reports, a preview of the upcoming September 24-26, 2015 Conference in Butte, new index of the Morrisites available at the MSGS Library in Helena, announcement of the 2015 Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival, and the story of how a Lewistown query led to the discovery of a tragedy in the Judith River.

October 2014 Issue features Society Reports, a review of the 25th Anniversary Conference in Helena, Notice that June 1, 2015 has been set as a deadline for submissions for Volume IV of the 1st Families/Early Settlers of Montana, several articles on helpful websites, Montana’s presentation of $1,701.00 (which after matching funds by FGS & ancestry.com grew to $6,804.00) for the Digitization Project of the War of 1812 Pension Records, and “My Mother’s Elopement,” a story about a couple that left Sweden and moved to the United States so they could marry.

July 2014 Issue features Society Reports, All the details and New Developments concerning the 25th Anniversary Conference in Helena September 25-27, 2014, Reminder that we are nearing the deadline for submissions for Volume IV of the 1st Families/Early Settlers of Montana, J. Mark Lowe’s fascination concerning a family heirloom a conference attendee shared with him last year, and details on how to help Preserve the Pensions from the War of 1812

April 2014 Issue features Society Reports, Announcement that the September 2014 Conference in Helena will feature 2 National Speakers: Curt Witcher and David Rencher, Introduction of the MSGS Facebook Page, Montana Workman Index now on website, and the discoveries from a querry concerning Marie Clapasson Mack in Missoula

October 2013 Issue features Society Reports, Bozeman Conference Recap, the Bitterroot Scottish/Irish Festival, New Montana Newspapers Online, Business Records, Civil War 150 Commemoration & Exhibit, and the first part of the Deaths recorded in the Montana Workman, the Newsletter devoted to the Interest of the Ancient Order of United Workmen in Montana, March 1892 to February 1899

July 2013 Issue features Society Reports, First Families of Montana Information, New US & Montana T-Shirts Available for Sale, Opening for MSGS Secretary, Bozeman Conference Details, and Obituaries of Montanans appearing in the Arizona Republic Newspaper

April 2013 Issue features Society Reports, September 2013 Conference in Bozeman information, MSGS Board and Committee Openings, and the research behind procuring a gravestone for the unmarked grave of James C. Beatie

January 2013 Issue features Society Reports, an update on the Montana Death Index posted on ancestry.com, using city directories in research and the search for finding the identity of a buried child in Rosebud Cemetery in Absarokee

October 2012 Issue features Society Reports, re-cap of the 2012 MSGS Conference in Billings, an example of the treasures found in some Pension Files and the story of Josephine Kline 1870-1940

July 2012 Issue features Society Reports, latest information on the 2012 MSGS Conference in Billings; and a first-hand account by John F. Tobol, Jr. (1889-1970) about growing up in various mining-towns around Helena

April 2012 Issue features Society Reports; Information on the 2012 MSGS Conference in Billings; Notice MSGS will once again have vests for sale; & Family Postcards of Montana

January 2012 Issue features Society Reports; Indexing Opportunity Info for the 1940 US Census; Al Stoner’s Search for her Family’s Ranch; & Barbara Britt’s Personal Genealogical Journey

October 2011 Issue features Society Reports; Pictures & News of the September 2011 Kalispell MSGS Conference; The Diaries of Daisy Dewey Stephens (1 January 1921 to 16 August 1936)

July 2011 Issue features Society Reports; All the details on the September 2011 Kalispell Conference; Why Not Ynot? The story of a Phillips County town and a family that called it home; & Info on the new lineage society of Sons & Daughters of WW2 Veterans

April 2011 Issue features Society Reports; Additional information on the 2011 MSGS Conference; & Twin Bridges Orphanage

January 2011 Issue features Montana Aerial Photos for Genealogy; & Beatrice Collins and the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic in Livingston

October 2010 Issue features a re-cap of the September 2010 Lewistown MSGS Conference; The Story of Ghost Town Granite, Montana (Once known as the “Silver Queen”; & Instructions for Grave Dowsing