R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Oregon
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property Records
Maps
Military Records
Native Races
Naturalization Records
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

CHURCH RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Oregon were Roman Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Christian (Disciples of Christ).

Some early Episcopal and Catholic records are available at the Oregon State Library. Roman Catholic records for 1838 to 1869 have been published in M. Leona Nichols, Mantle of Elias, The Story of Fathers Blanchet and Demers in Early Oregon (Portland: Binfords and Mort, 1941; FHL book 979 V26n; film 372495). An index is at the Oregon State Archives.

The Family History Library collection includes histories of some denominations, such as the Roman Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, and Quakers. The library has few original church records for Oregon.

A guide to help you locate churches and their records is the Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations, State of Oregon (Portland: Historical Records Survey, 1940; FHL book 979.5 K24d; fiche 6051178).

Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses:


BaptistLook this term up in the glossary.

American Baptist—Samuel Colgate Historical Society
1106 S. Goodman St.
Rochester, NY 14620-2532
Telephone: 716-473-1740
Fax: 716-473-1740
Northrup Library
Linfield College
900 S. Baker
McMinnville, OR 97128-9989
Telephone: 503-434-2262
Fax: 503-434-2566

Disciples of ChristLook this term up in the glossary.

Disciples of Christ Historical Society
1101 19th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
Telephone: 615-327-1444
Fax: 615-327-1445

MethodistLook this term up in the glossary.

United Methodist Archives Center
Drew University Library
36 Madison Ave.
Madison, NJ 07940
Telephone: 973-408-3189
Fax: 973-408-3909
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 127
Madison, NJ 07940

PresbyterianLook this term up in the glossary.

Presbyterian Historical Society
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
425 Lombard St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516
Telephone: 215-627-1852
Fax: 215-627-0509
To locate Presbyterian records, see Inventory of Church Archives of Oregon Presbyterian Churches: 1968 Arrangement with Indexes (N.p.: Historical Records Survey, WPA, 1968; FHL film 899323).


Roman CatholicLook this term up in the glossary.

Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Chancery Office
2838 E. Burnside St.
Portland, OR 97214-1895
Telephone: 503-234-5334
Fax: 503-234-2545
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 351
Portland, OR 97214-1895

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COURT RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

Major courts that have kept records of genealogical value are the following:

Circuit courtsLook this term up in the glossary. have countywide jurisdiction over criminal casesLook this term up in the glossary., probateLook this term up in the glossary. matters, guardianshipsLook this term up in the glossary., and domestic relations.

County courtsLook this term up in the glossary. have countywide jurisdiction in juvenileLook this term up in the glossary. cases, civil matters under $500, and probate matters. The Family History Library has a few county court records.

District courtsLook this term up in the glossary. have countywide jurisdiction over minor civilLook this term up in the glossary. and criminal matters.

Justice courts have concurrent countywide jurisdiction with circuit courts over minor civil and criminal cases.

Supreme CourtLook this term up in the glossary. has the final appellate jurisdictionLook this term up in the glossary. for the state.

The Family History Library has copies of a few court records, including Douglas County court records (1852-63) and coroner's inquest records (1896-1946). You can obtain copies of court records at the various county courthouses. The Oregon State Archives has files for Clackamas, Lane, Marion, and Wasco counties.

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