Gresham Oregon Family History Center

The Gresham Family History Center and its consultants are available to help you in the fun and fascinating hobby of family history or genealogy. If you’ve never done family history before, or if it’s been awhile since you have, you are in for a treat. With so many historical documents and records available online, and more being added all the time, each day can bring you a new discovery.

Center Contacts and Hours
Location:


 * 1) 3600 SE 182nd, Gresham, Oregon, 97030 across from Centennial High School.
 * 2) Park in the North parking lot. The entrance is on the north side near the rear of the building, but the actual door faces west, towards the street. 

Phone: 503-665-1524

Open Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00am-9:00pm, Thursday 10:00am-6:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm. The Family History Center is open on Sundays for Family History Classes. It is closed on Mondays and Fridays.

Holiday Schedule: 

We are closed the entire week of Thanksgiving, November 20th-26th.

We will be closed the last two weeks of December 18th-31st, reopening January 3rd.

What To Bring:
If you are new to family history or genealogy and don't know where to start, start by gathering the information that you do have and know. Even a few names, places, and/or dates can give you a good place to start searching. Bring this information with you when you come and we can help you get started on your family research.

You might also want to consider bringing the following:


 * 1) a small notebook or steno pad
 * 2) pen or pencil
 * 3) a USB stick/flash drive/thumb drive, etc. to save information that you find
 * 4) computer glasses if you use them
 * 5) change for any copies you may make

Class Schedule:

 * Currently classes are taught through the individual wards or congregations. Please contact your ward to find out when the next family history class is scheduled to start. To find your ward go to lds.org and click on Meetinghouse Locator on the left hand side.
 * You can also learn online by clicking the ‘Learn’ button at the top of the page or by visiting our Family History Center and using our computers.

Staff Training Meetings:
The next meeting is Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 7:00pm.

Collections

 * Family History Library Catalog: You may order microfilm and microfiche from the convenience of your home computer from the Family History Library Catalog and have it sent to this Family History Center to view. But check with us first: we might already have what you are looking for. We have several records available in our collection.
 * We have the complete 1850 Census records and several others. We have vital records on microfiche for Oregon, Washington and Oregon.  We also have the IGI for the United States and several other countries.

Databases and Software

 * FHC Portal: This Portal allows you free access to many subscription databases including Ancestry, Heritage Quest, World Vital Records and more.

Hardware and Equipment

 * We have nine computers and three printers available for patron use. Copies are five cents each.
 * We also have microfilm and microfiche readers.

Staff Research Specialties
 

Resources in the Local Area
You may also want to check the Oregon Historical Society which has many historical records and manuscripts that may help you in your research of Oregon and Northwest ancestors. Their website is http://www.ohs.org/  

Other Resources

 * Oregon State Library: http://oregon.gov/OSL/
 * Northwest Digital Archives: http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/
 * Oregon Historic Newspapers: http://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/