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

NATIVE RACESLook this term up in the glossary.

The Family History Library has histories of the various tribes that have lived in Oregon. The library also has microfilm copies of the Bureau of Indian Affairs'Look this term up in the glossary. records of births, marriages, deaths, censuses, schools, land allotments, and heirships. In general, these are for 1877 to 1952 and include records of the Chemawa Indian School, Grand Ronde-Siletz and Klamath agencies, and the Portland Area Office. The original documents are at the National Archives—Pacific Alaska Region (Seattle).

Of special value are the Family Index Cards, 1938-1950 from the Portland Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (FHL films 1028470 item 4, to 1028471) and Family History and Medical Data, 1904-1937 from the Klamath Agency (FHL films 1028454 item 2, to 1028455).

A useful guide is Charles E. McChesney, Rolls of Certain Indian Tribes in Oregon and Washington (Fairfield, Wash.: Ye Galleon Press, l969; FHL book 970.1 R659).

Other records are also listed in the Subject Search of the Family History Library Catalog under the name of the tribe, or in the Locality Search of the catalog under the name of the state and various subjects, such as PROBATE RECORDS and LAND AND PROPERTY.


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NATURALIZATION RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

In the territorial era, immigrants could apply for citizenship at any U.S. district court. Naturalization recordsLook this term up in the glossary. filed as part of the “donation landLook this term up in the glossary.” laws are at the National Archives.

After statehood in 1859, the circuit courtLook this term up in the glossary. had primary jurisdiction over naturalization. The county clerk served as clerk of the circuit courtLook this term up in the glossary. and kept the records. You can obtain copies of declarationsLook this term up in the glossary. and petitionsLook this term up in the glossary. from the clerk's office in each county. Some naturalization records may also be found in county court journals or U.S. district court records. The Family History Library has copies of some naturalization records for Oregon.

For naturalization records after September 1906, contact the National Archives—Pacific Northwest Region (Seattle) or the local office of the Immigration and Naturalization ServiceLook this term up in the glossary.. The Seattle Branch has records of the U.S. District Court for 1859 to 1970, and the U.S. Circuit Court for 1870 to 1912. The Family History Library has U.S. District Court indexes 1863-1956 and records 1859-1941 (beginning on FHL film 1492135 item 2), and U.S. Circuit Court indexes 1859-1956 (beginning on FHL film 1433979). There is also a published index covering the years 1906-1930, W. David Samuelsen, Oregon Naturalization Records Index (FHL book 979.5 P4s).


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NEWSPAPERSLook this term up in the glossary.

The Oregon Historical Society Library, the University of Oregon Library, and the Oregon State Library have some Oregon newspaper files. The Oregon Historical Society Library has an alphabetical card file with abstracts of birth, marriage, and death information from early Oregon newspapers. Some pre-1880 Oregon newspapers are available at the Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley.

The Family History Library does not have copies of Oregon newspapers. The library has copies of published obituaries, such as those from the Pacific Christian Advocate (1864-80 on FHL films 369746-47; 1880-1890 on film 365234).

A guide to Oregon newspapers is Rory Funke, Oregon Newspapers on Microfilm (Eugene, Oregon: University of Oregon Library, 1980; FHL book 979.5 B3o).


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PERIODICALSLook this term up in the glossary.

The major genealogical periodicals and magazines helpful for Oregon research are:

Beaver Briefs. 1969-. Published by the Willamette Valley Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 2083, Salem, OR 97308. (FHL book 979.53 B2b.)

The Bulletin. 1951-. Published by the Genealogical Forum of Portland, Oregon, 2130 S.W. 5th Ave.—Suite 220, Portland, OR 97201-4934. (FHL book 979.549 D25gf; vols. 10-31 on film 1321467 items 15-19.)

Coos Genealogical Forum Bulletin. 1966-. Published by The Coos Genealogical Forum Library, P.O. Box 1067, North Bend, OR 97459. (FHL book 979.523 B2c; vols. 1-17 beginning on film 1321409.)

Mt. Hood Trackers. 1959-1977. Published by the Mt. Hood Genealogical Forum, P.O. Box 703, Oregon City, OR 97045. (FHL book 979.541 B2t; vols. 3-10 and index to vols. 1-10 beginning on film 1321465 item 7.)

Oregon Genealogical Society Quarterly. 1962-. Published by the Oregon Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 10306, Eugene, OR 97440-2306. (FHL book 979.5 D25o.)

Rogue Digger. 1966-. Published by the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society, 133 S. Central Ave., Franklin Bldg., Medford, OR 97501-7221, Telephone: 503-770-5848. (FHL book 979.527 B2r.)

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