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Lookups for Montgomery
County Texas
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If you would like to be a volunteer or a lookup
person for Montgomery County, please email
Jane Keppler.
When requesting a lookup please
be sure and ask politely and keep it short and to the point.
Please include the
surname,
location,
time period
and a
hook.
Always include the
county
you are researching. Many of us do lookups for several counties.
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Writing Queries that Get
Terrific Results!
by
Phyllis Stehm
Writing a great query and posting it to message board
can quickly advance your genealogy research and bust your brick walls! Many
sites offer tips on effective online communication techniques, which can be
read if you take the time before posting a query to the message board/forum
or sending an email. I want to point out a strategy that will make your
queries much more effective, that is, using the
subject line on the
query posting page to the greatest advantage by including four (4) pieces of
information: surname,
location,
date and a
“Hook”.
Let’s first review the
steps of an effective query whether print or electronic:
The
Subject Line
Target your
question briefly in the subject line. Ask for information on one problem or
subject. Be specific and use a hook! The hook gets your readers
interested in your problem!
For example:
“Seeking parents & siblings of,” “Searching for children of,” “Trying to
locate the family Bible of”, “Was it murder?” Do not ask “Please send all
the information you have.” Then be sure to add a surname, a date
or time period, and a location in the subject line. For example,
“Seeking cemetery info for
Amanda Fletcher, died Conroe, TX, early 1900’s.”
Do
not be so general that no one can connect to your information. The
experienced genealogist, who may have much to share with you, will pass over
your query if he/she cannot quickly identify information that connects to
what he/she may already know.
The Body
of the Query
f
Explain in more detail what you are searching for,
and include the names of the people that you know, capitalizing the
SURNAME. Be sure to
include the woman’s maiden name if known.
f
Include the
locality of the people you are looking for.
f
Include a
date or dates for the time period
you are researching.
f
Briefly state any information you may already know,
so that your reader doesn’t waste time re-sending info you have.
f
Use standard genealogical abbreviations,
but if there is a chance of a misunderstanding, spell the word out
Completely.
What Makes An Electronic Query Different?
Electronic queries may be searched by various search engines, they may be
displayed in various forums or on surname boards, but most of the time the
information displayed first will only be what you have put in your subject
line on the query posting page.
Below Is a Sample of an Ineffective
Query:
Subject line-> HELP!!!!
Posted by Amy Smith
xxxxxxxx@bbb.com
on Sunday, 27 Jul 2009
Surname:
Smith, Jones
Elizabeth Smith
married George Jones both are from Montgomery Co. Doing my family roots need
some help in finding info.
What‘s Wrong With This Query?
Quite a bit actually! But the biggest mistake for posting to a message
board, is the subject line “HELP”. This is what will be shown on the
forums/boards index before the query is opened to reveal the contents of the
rest of the message. This scream for help will be quickly passed over by
experienced genealogists, because they do not have time to open it based on
the information given. What can be done to improve this query, especially
the subject line?
Here’s an Example of an Effective Query:
Subject line-> Seeking parents of Elizabeth SMITH,
& George JONES, Montgomery Co., TX 1880’s
Posted
by Amy Jones
xxxxxxxx@bbb.com
on Sunday, 27 Jul 2009
Surname: SMITH, JONES
Seeking parents/siblings
of Elizabeth SMITH (b. ca 1865-1910), m. 2 Feb 1886 George JONES (b. ca.
1863-1916) in Montgomery Co., TX.
George and Elizabeth are
listed in 1900 US Census living with their children, Ann, George Jr. and
Hannah in Conroe, Montgomery Co., TX.
The second example will be noticed,
read and may even garner several responses from knowledgeable genealogists.
The subject line grabs attention because it gives surnames, location and a
date. The subject line is very important to those searching message board
indexes. It saves research time for everyone and produces more positive
results. Good query writing is
an art whether used in print or electronic format, but
don't forget to write an
effective subject line with a good hook!
Phyllis Stehm is a genealogy instructor at Lone Star College, Montgomery
campus in the
ALL ‑ Academy of Lifelong Learning Program
and co-founded the Montgomery County Genealogists’ Internet Research Group
(MCG-IRG). |
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Lookup Volunteers
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Darlene Madeley Lee
6 books from MCG&HS for Montgomery County TX cemeteries
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Jane Keppler
will do lookups from
5 books MCG&HS for Montgomery County TX cemeteries
Montgomery County History
Most all the Metcalf Funeral Home Books
Wrights Forest Hill Funeral Home Books
Wahrenberger Funeral Home Records
1850, 1860
census and Mortality Schedules for 1850, 1860, 1870, & 1880
Died Montgomery County Texas Buried Elsewhere
Early Settlers of Montgomery County
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Lee Nave
has volunteered to do
lookups from
Black Box Documents Vol II - 1849-1858 |
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Black Box Documents Vol III - 1857-1867
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Black Box Documents Vol IV - 1867-1885
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Black Box Documents Vol V - 1885-1899
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Cemeteries Vol 1
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Unmarked Graves |
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Name Index for Cemeteries
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State Docket of the District Court 1857-1879
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1890 Tax Records |
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1910 Census Index |
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1920 Census Index |
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1915 Property & Poll Taxes
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Various Court Records 1840-1896
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Montgomery County History Index
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Jean Shroyer, Texas State Library
in Austin, Texas
Lookups from the books in the
Texas State library.
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Date: Saturday, March
21, 2009, 2:49 PM |
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Hi Jane...hope things are good there!
Yes, progress is coming along well enough. Construction folks
are working on 2nd floor at the present where our genealogy
department will be housed as far as the plan has been known. As
I understand also the Archives Division will move back to its
same location on the 1st floor. |
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I think the best update comes from
Chris LePlant or from Diana Houston
DHouston@tsl.state.tx.us
if you'd like to query her online. Since Diana and Chris are
directly responsible for the various departments that relate to
Archives, Genealogy, Reference sections. Have you viewed the
main page for an update to the process for TSLAC at present.
That may give you some updates as to the progress of things at
the library. |
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The books and materials, films are
still in storage for now until the genealogy department
considers occupying the finished second floor. County Records
for some Texas counties, tax rolls on film for TX Counties,
Vital Records are on microfilm and city directories and
delayed/probated birth indexes for those born prior to 1903 but
sought to have identity later by obtaining a delayed birth
record. |
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I think the better updates will come
from Diana Houston at this point so you can get a more accurate
accounting of their strategies for completion. I believe there
are offices already operating now in the basement level of the
building. Some offices that were in the 20 building are still in
another location working at present until which time they will
move back to the de Zavalla building. I guess I am not much help
here but basically, Room 300 on the 3rd floor is where
genealogy, reference and archives are still housed for patrons
to come and visit to research. I am at the library two or three
days a week when possible to assist patrons who need assistance
on the computer or to find clues to their lineages. Is really
fun! You sure meet many cousins this way! I do hope once the
library is completed with its renovation process that folks will
come and research more so and I wish that our collection will be
improved and the staff they hire will be more outgoing and open
to assist the patrons. We had a DAR Marker Event on Sunday March
15, 2009 at the TX State Cemetery in honor of the Rev. War
soldiers who fought during the war but had moved to Texas and
died in this state. It was a lovely ceremony and Martha Hartzog,
State DAR Historian pulled this off with amazement. A map and a
list of men's names and a historical background in a book at the
state cemetery room was displayed that day. I served as a
hostess to the patrons who attended (cookies - thousands it
seemed were donated) and punch! Several of the DAR ladies who
had been to the library the past few months stated how
disappointed they were with the way things were progressing. In
that I mean, several stated that there was not much in order to
use for research and the staff on hand were not helpful nor
friendly when they visited Room 300. There was a survey done
last week for patrons to fill out to give their opinions and
comments or things they would like to see improved about the
library. |
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My hope is that when the collection is
opened back up for patrons that
1) Saturday hours return for patrons and travellers/visitors...a
must. Not sure if this is being considered...but hope so. Is
important to have the Saturday hours in operation for people who
work and travel to our state and archives.
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2) That genealogy societies and patrons
will again consider to donate books to the collection as in past
times...the problem has been space and hopefully, some of that
problem might be improved...not sure. And that all of the books
we have/did have in storage will come back to the shelves as
before for patrons usage.
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3) New computers /terminals or tables
for use of the internet for patrons like that in Atlanta, GA
State Archives. Lamps to help see for reading and working on
genealogy projects. |
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right now
www.footnote.com
is not on the list as it is a paid site for members and we can't
access
www.familysearch.org
to access the death images for the various states as we need an
updated version of adobe flash...probably 10.0 or so...I.T. at
the library may be able to take care of this issue. When one
tries to access the death images (as in TX) you can't access it
from the TSLAC genealogy computer terminal. You can access the
familysearch.org
site itself...just not the death records/images!
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TSLAC Genealogy dept. does access
Heritage Quest Online for patrons to use.
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However, they do not have
www.ancestry.com
as a service. You can Ancestry at your local public library as I
am told by patrons who frequent their public library in Austin
or at home of course as a member.
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What would be nice is to list somewhere
on a site all of the free sites and paid sites on a
webpage...and update periodically for patrons to view and select
for searching. Everton's Helper Magazine does this in their
magazine I think or perhaps Family Tree Magazine. Is nice to see
these sites listed, especially since some of us teach beginning
classes to new beginners and we can relate these sites to the
patrons. A help tool!
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4) Updates for the internet sites so
that patrons can access various sites |
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right now
www.footnote.com
is not on the list as it is a paid site for members and we can't
access
www.familysearch.org
to access the death images for the various states as we need an
updated version of adobe flash...probably 10.0 or so...I.T. at
the library may be able to take care of this issue. When one
tries to access the death images (as in TX) you can't access it
from the TSLAC genealogy computer terminal. You can access the
familysearch.org
site itself...just not the death records/images!
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TSLAC Genealogy dept. does access
Heritage Quest Online for patrons to use. |
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However, they do not have
www.ancestry.com
as a service. You can Ancestry at your local public library as I
am told by patrons who frequent their public library in Austin
or at home of course as a member. |
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What would be nice is to list somewhere
on a site all of the free sites and paid sites on a
webpage...and update periodically for patrons to view and select
for searching. Everton's Helper Magazine does this in their
magazine I think or perhaps Family Tree Magazine. Is nice to see
these sites listed, especially since some of us teach beginning
classes to new beginners and we can relate these sites to the
patrons. A help tool! |
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Thanks for asking me for an update. Not
sure I am the best one for info here but Mrs. Houston is the one
to ask about the library efforts. Let me know your comments. |
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Jean |
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Jean
Huot Smoorenburg:
Books in my home Library on
Montgomery County, Texas: |
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Historic Montgomery County: An Illustrated History of Montgomery
County, Texas, by Robin Montgomery |
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The
Herald: Parts of the Anniversary Issue, 1977, 1978, 1989 ‑ Present
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Every Name Index The Herald, Volume I - III, IV - VI, & Volumes 7 -9 |
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Genealogical Topical Index of Articles Published in the Past Issues
of The Herald, compiled by Vera Meek Wimberly |
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Isaac Conroe, Founder of Conroe, Texas 1834-1897 & Some of his
ancestors, compiled by Vera Meek Wimberly. |
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The
Choir Invisible, An Early History of Montgomery County, by
Montgomery Historical Society, including the 1850 Abstracted Federal
Census |
Many of the books published by MCG&HS:
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Montgomery County Texas Histories |
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Montgomery County Texas History Book, 1981 |
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Full Name Index - Montgomery County Texas
History, 1981 |
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Montgomery County Texas Census |
1850-60 Montgomery County Census &
1850-1880 Mortality Schedules |
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Naturalization Records includes nearby
counties Anderson, Grimes, Trinity, Walker, Waller & Washington
1840-1925 |
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1870 Montgomery County Census |
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1880 Montgomery County Census |
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1900 Montgomery County Census |
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1910 Montgomery County Census |
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1920 Montgomery County Census |
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Montgomery County Texas Cemeteries |
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Montgomery County Cemeteries
Volume I |
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Montgomery County Cemeteries
Volume II |
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Montgomery County Cemeteries
Volume III |
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Montgomery County Cemeteries
Volume IV |
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Montgomery County Cemeteries
Volume V |
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Montgomery County Cemeteries
Volume VI |
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Index of the name of each cemetery in each of
the 6 volumes |
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Unmarked Graves in Montgomery County |
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Died Montgomery County-Buried Elsewhere |
Montgomery
County Texas Marriages |
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Montgomery County Marriages 1838-1894 |
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Early Montgomery County Marriages Black Boxes
1838-1872 |
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Marriage Applications 1898-1907 |
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Death Dates & Marriages Inferred In Montgomery
County Texas Black Boxes 1838-1900 |
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Montgomery County Texas Funeral Homes |
Wahrenberger Funeral Home Records: 2 volume
set
Index in Vol. 2. This is transcribed directly from original
records and including ALL information therein. |
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Cockerham-Branch-Marland Funeral Home
Records |
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Volume 1 A-K |
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Volume 2 L-Z |
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Wright's Forest Hill Funeral Home
Records |
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Volume 1 |
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Volume 2 |
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Volume 3 |
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Volume 4 |
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Metcalf Funeral Home Records |
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Volume I--------1938-1942
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Volume II-------1942-1945 |
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Volume III------1945-1948 |
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Volume IV------1948-1950 |
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Volume V-------1950-1953 |
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Volume VI------1953-1955 |
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Volume VII-----1955-1961 |
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Volume VIII----1961-1965 |
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Volume IX------1965-1968 |
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Volume X-------1968-1971 |
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Volume XI------1971-1974 |
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Volume XII-----1974-1978 |
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Volume XIII----1976-1978 |
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Volume XIV----1978-1979 |
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Volume XV-----1979-1980 |
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Volume XVI----1980-1980 |
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Volume XVII---1980-1981 |
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MCG&HS Members Ancestor Charts |
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Membership Ancestor Charts - Volume 1, A-D |
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Membership Ancestor Charts - Volume 2, E-G |
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Membership Ancestor Charts - Volume 3, H-K |
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Membership Ancestor Charts - Volume 4, L-M |
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Membership Ancestor Charts - Volume 5, M-R |
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Membership Ancestor Charts - Volume 6, S-V |
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Membership Ancestor Charts - Volume 7, W-Z |
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Montgomery County Texas Court Records |
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Montgomery County TX - Deed Abstracts A-E
1831-1840 |
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Montgomery County TX - Various Court Rec.
1840-1896 |
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Montgomery County TX - State Docket 1857-1879 |
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Montgomery County TX - State Docket 1879-1894 |
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Montgomery County TX - Probate Minutes
1838-1851 |
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Montgomery County TX - 1890 Tax Rolls |
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Montgomery County TX - 1905 Tax Rolls |
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Montgomery County TX - 1915 Property & Tax
Rolls |
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Montgomery County TX - 1921 Tax and Poll Rolls |
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Montgomery County TX - 1925 Tax Rolls |
Montgomery County TX Property Assessments
1929,
The original tax assessment book no longer is in existence. However,
the abstractor was able to rescue it long enough to transcribe the
entire book. Alphabetically arranged. |
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Montgomery County TX - District Court Records
1842-1860 |
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Montgomery County TX - District Court Records
1838-1845 |
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Montgomery County TX - Treasurer Claim Record
1885-1894 |
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Treasurers Claim Record - Jury, Road, & Bridge
1911-1918, Vol. #1 |
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Treasurers Claim Record - Jury, Road, & Bridge
1911-1918 Vol. #2 |
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Montgomery County TX - Death Records 1903-1940 |
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Montgomery County Texas Miscellaneous |
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Early Settlers of Montgomery County Vol. I
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Early Settlers of Montgomery County Vol. II |
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Bible Records with Montgomery County
Connections |
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Montgomery County Texas Cattle Brands |
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Montgomery County, Texas Deeds, Book F
1835-1842 |
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Montgomery County School Records 1874-1909 |
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Montgomery County TX School Transfers |
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4th
Regiment of the United States Volunteers Mobilized at Camp Tom Ball
July 1898 this photo copy of the original muster roll provides the
name of the soldier, his age, place of residence, name and residence
of next of kin. The names of soldiers contained therein were from
not only Montgomery County, but many other Texas counties as well. |
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Griffin Papers Vol. 1 1829-1893 |
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Griffin Papers Vol. 2 1893-1906 |
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Griffin Papers Vol. 3 1906-1913 |
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Griffin Papers Vol. 4 1913-1943 |
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Montgomery County Texas Probate
Records |
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Probate Records, found in the Black Boxes "Black Box Documents" are
those original papers created in probating a will or settling an
estate. They may include an application for administration and
probate of an estate, a will, guardianship papers, bonds,
inventories, citations, requisitions for partition and vouchers to
support claims. All volumes include as slave index |
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Volume I - 1838-1848 |
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Volume II - 1849-1858 |
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Volume III - 1857-1867 |
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Volume IV - 1867-1885 |
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Volume V - 1885-1899 |
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