This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: COTTER Classification: Census Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4NB.2ACI/91.1 Message Board Post: Just a couple of notes: It would have been the geographical survey, not the genealogical survey. Geographic surveys were used to determine mineral and homestead rights, and in developing maps. Montana became a Territory in 1864, and a state in 1889 with eleven large counties. These counties were later divided up into 56 much smaller counties. For example, part of Meagher County became Lewis & Clark County, etc. The information I found about Richard D. Cotter does not match the information you have. 1870 U.S. Federal Census; Monana Territory; Lewis & Clark County; Fort Shaw; P.O. Helena; Roll: M593_827; Page: 229; Image: 461; Enumerated on 24 Aug 1870; Line 2: COTTER, Rich; unknown age; male; white; soldier-U.S.A.; born in Ireland; both parents foreign born. --------------- 1880 U.S. Federal Census; Montana Territory; Meagher County; Cooper Gulch & Vicinity; Roll #: T9_742; Family History Film: 1254742; Page: 405C; Enumeration District: 21; Image: 0822; Enumerated on 10 Jun 1880; Line: 29: COTTER, Richard D.; white; male; 38 years of age; single; placer miner; born in Ireland; both parents born in Ireland. --------------- 1900 U.S. Federal Census; Montana; Lewis & Clark County; Township 11 N., Range 1 W.; Roll: T623_912; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 163; Enumerated on 21 Jun 1900; Line: 25: COTTER, Richard D.; head of household; white; male; born Sep 1842; 57 years of age; single; born in Ireland; both parents born in Ireland; immigrated to U.S. in 1850; have resided in U.S. last 50 years; occupation: miner. --------------- 1910 U.S. Federal Census; Montana; Lewis & Clark County; School District: 33; Roll: T624_833; Part 1: Page: 290B; Enumerated on 16 Apr 1910 (this census page is barely legible): COTTER, Richard; head of household; white; male; 60 years of age; single; born in Ireland; both parents born in Ireland; occupation: placer miner. --------------- 1920 U.S. Federal Census; Montana: Lewis & Clark County; Hospital--Poor Farm; Outside SD #1; Roll: T625_972; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 93; Image: 166; Enumerated on 12 Jan 1920; Line: 20: COTTER, Richard D.; inmate; male; white; 77 years of age; single; born in Ireland; both parents born in Ireland; immigrated to U.S. in 1850; became U.S. citizen in 1870; occupation: miner--placer mine. --------------- MONTANA DEATH INDEX 1920-1929: COTTER, R.D. Died: 12 Mar 1927 at 84 years of age Index #: Hel 1612 ("Hel" indicates he died in the city of Helena, MT). ---------------- If you try "Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness" of Montana, you will find there is one volunteer for Lewis & Clark County who will do look-ups of public records. You may be able to obtain a Death Certificate, but if Richard E. Cotter died in the county Poor Farm, it is unlikely that there was any obituary published. I hope you find the above information helpful. I am not related to, nor do I have any personal knowledge of the Cotter family.