Our Oregon genealogists research on location. They will find and analyze the best records available to further your family history research. They can search the various archives and libraries in Oregon, including:
- Archdiocese of Portland’s History and Archives
Sacramental records created prior to January 1, 1930, including baptism, communion, confirmation, and marriage records - Diocese of Baker Archives, Eastern Oregon Diocese (Bend)
Sacramental registers of the Catholic church, principally baptisms, marriages, and deaths, with significant genealogical detail - Genealogical Forum of Oregon Library (Portland)
Largest US genealogical collection in Oregon. Over 32,000 items with about 20% on the state of Oregon with the remaining covering all states and many foreign countries, including Ireland, Sweden, France, Italy, Germany, and Native Americans - George Fox College, Quaker Collection (Newberg)
Comprises documentation from George Fox College, the oldest Christian university in Oregon. Includes presidential files, minutes, accreditation, annual reports, correspondence, manuals, newsletters, yearbooks, Crescent student newspaper - Jackson County Genealogy Library (Medford)
Houses the largest collection of genealogical books and resources in Southern Oregon. Over 16 thousand volumes cover all states, especially rich in Jackson County and Oregon - National Archives Pacific Alaska Region (Seattle)
Records for Federal agencies and courts in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Includes Federal population censuses for all States, military service records, pension and bounty land warrant applications, passenger arrival and naturalization records, and records relating to the Five Civilized Tribes - Oregon Genealogical Society Research Library (Eugene)
Holds large selection of Oregon research materials as well as over 9,000 books and 3,000 periodicals for all 50 states and many European and North American countries, and a large collection of Oregon material and family histories - Oregon Historical Society Library (Portland)
Contains one of the most extensive collections of state history materials in the U.S., including approximately 25,000 maps, 30,000 books, 8.5 million feet of film and videotape, 16,000 rolls of microfilm, 12,000 linear feet of documents, and over 2.5 million images from pre-statehood to the present day - Oregon State Archives (Salem)
Birth and marriage records (1848-1912), death records (1903- 1962), divorces (1925-present), military records (1847-1986), naturalization records since 1849, probate records since 1843, land records - Oregon State Library (Salem)
Major emphasis is on Oregon history and genealogy. Contains Oregon marriages (1906-2005), deaths (1910-1979), divorces (1946-2003), miliary records, newspapers since 1915, city directories and phone books (1861-1986), family histories, land records, Oregon Trail emigration. - University of Oregon Libraries (Eugene)
Contains the largest research collection in Oregon with over 3 million volumes and 17,000 journals. Has the most complete collection of Oregon newspapers available anywhere in the world. Also has extensive collections of microforms, manuscripts, state, federal, and international documents
Our professional researchers can do research projects of many sizes and for many budgets. We customize the amount of research provided according to your needs.
If you want to know more about how our genealogists can further your research, you can request a research quote.
Some of the major records sources that can be used for genealogy research in Oregon include:
- Birth, marriage, and death records were kept by some towns as early as 1842.
- Birth and death records were recorded by the state government from July 1903 to the present; however, birth records are restricted for 100 years and death records are restricted for 50 years.
- Marriage records were recorded by the state government from 1906 to the present.
- Territorial and state census records were recorded from 1842 to 1905.
- The Bureau of Indian Affairs reservation and school censuses were recorded from 1880 to 1950.
- Federal census records were recorded every 10 years starting in 1850.
- Land records were kept by the counties from the time they were settled
- Probate records were kept by the local courts from 1843 to the present
- Churches often kept records of the christenings, marriages, deaths, or other information about their members
- Newspapers were written in many areas and time periods which contain information such as notices of marriages, notices of death, and obituaries
- Tax records began with the formation of individual counties.
- Town and county histories were written that record information about the settlers and their families.
- For those who traveled the Oregon Trail, trail diaries, journals, genealogies, autobiographies, newspaper articles, and letters exist.
- Naturalization and citizenship records were recorded by the courts as early as 1859
- Ship passenger lists were recorded as early as 1888.
- Immigration records were recorded as early as 1882.
- City and county directories have been published since 1863.
- A variety of town records were recorded for many areas.
