Oregon, Polk County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes digital images of records from the Polk County Courthouse in Dallas, Oregon. More records will be added to this collection as images become available.


 * Land (1857-1945)
 * Probate - Wills (1925-1945)
 * Other records (1934-1936)

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

County
 * Name of deceased
 * Date and place of event
 * Residence
 * Age and gender
 * Names of parents
 * Occupation
 * Biographical information about parents such as date and place of birth
 * Names of heirs, such as spouse, children, other relatives, or friends
 * Names of the executor, administrator, or guardian
 * Names of witnesses
 * Dates the documents were written and recorded (used to approximate event dates since a will was usually written near the time of death)
 * Description and value of property or land

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * The location or date of the event

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the 
 * 1) Select the Record category
 * 2) Select the Record Type, Year Range and Volume to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the probate record to identify adoptions, guardians, heirs and relatives
 * Use the will or probate record to approximate a death date
 * For earlier years, use the probate record or will to substitute for civil birth and death records
 * Search for vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death records
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in census records
 * Use the information found in the record to find land and property record
 * Use the information found in the record to find probate records
 * Search for death or burial information in BillionGraves Index or at Find A Grave
 * If applicable, search for immigration and naturalization records as well

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching a nearby locality
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Oregon.
 * Oregon Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1903 | 1900-Present

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.