Our Library
We are a reference library located on the third floor of the Great Falls Public Library, adjacent to the Montana Room.
HOURS:
Monday – Saturday, 12 noon – 4 p.m.
We are open to the public and have one of the largest genealogy collections in the Northwest, with over 10,000 items in our catalog. Although our emphasis is on Cascade County and Montana genealogy, our Library has extensive resources on other states and Canada and a large collection of general reference material. Internet access is available to all patrons (free of charge to members, small hourly fee to non-members) to aid in their research and volunteers are always available to assist.
GFGS Current Collection – Aug 2023
Our Space
Our Resources
We offer access to some of the major online genealogy websites from the computers in our library. Fold3, Genealogy Bank, AmericanAncestors.org and Newspaper Archive are available for free to paid members of the Society, but can still be accessed by non-members for a small hourly fee. We also have:
Research Aids: Wide variety of reference helps will answer your questions or direct you to specific areas for the information you require. Many can be checked out by members.
Birth Records: Includes 1887 – 1944 for Cascade County
Cemetery Transcriptions: Cemetery listings for Cascade, Teton and Chouteau Counties have been compiled by the Society.
Newspaper Clippings: Vital Statistics, 1951 – 1999
Obituary Records: Extensive collection, many electronic
Coroner’s Records: The Library holds records for Cascade County, 1893 – 1984, many include death certificates
Directories: The collection holds assorted 1887 – 2003 directories for Great Falls and numerous volumes for other Montana cities and communities.
Old Age Pension Applications: Cascade County records for 1923 – 1938, indexed by surname, are available on request.
Newspapers: Bound volumes of the Great Falls Tribune and Leader, 1905 – 1957
Citizenship Records Index: Declarations of Intent, Naturalization, repatriations. Over 17,000 entries.
Marriage Records: Original certificates for Cascade County, 1887 – 1967
Local Histories: Cascade County, Montana and U.S.
Family Histories: Over 500 published books as well as 4-generation charts submitted by members.
Probate Files: Cascade County 1887 – 1984
Blackfeet Records: The Library has records of over 11,500 members of the Blackfeet tribe and others connected with the reservation, including burial records.
High School Annuals: Yearbooks and many class reunion booklets from Cascade County schools.
Voter Registration Records: Early Great Falls registers, 1910 – 1911, Cascade County registration cards 1937 – 1990.
Genealogical Journals: The Library has over 6,000 genealogical journals from a variety of national, state and Canadian organizations.