Gresham Oregon FamilySearch Center

Family History Center Information:
The Gresham Family History Center is now open. Out of concern for the health and safety of our guests and volunteers, masks and social distancing are required. If you are coming from a long distance, please check in with us to find out our current status before coming in as things can change from week to week. You may call us at 503-665-1524.

Location Map:


 * Location on Map

Address:


 * 3600 SE, 182nd Ave Gresham, Oregon, 97030 United States
 * Across from Centennial High School, 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.


 * Language: English

Phone:


 * 503-665-1524

Email: OR_Gresham@familyhistorymail.org


 * NOTICE: Check for updates before coming in by calling: 503-665-1524.


 * Tuesday: 10:00am-6:00pm
 * Wednesday: 10:00am-5:00pm
 * Thursday: Closed
 * Friday: Closed
 * Saturday: 9:00am-1:00pm: We are closed the first Saturday in April and in October.

We are closed all major holidays and the first weekends in April and October.

Upcoming Holiday Closures: Christmas: we will be closed December 18, 2022 through January 2nd, 2023.

 

Inclement Weather: In case of inclement weather, please be sure to call the Family History Center to see if it is open. The number is 503-665-1524. As a general rule: if the schools are closed then we are closed.

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 will be happy to help you get started on your family research.

In addition to a mask, you might also want to consider bringing the following:


 * 1) a USB stick/flash drive/thumb drive, etc. to save information that you find
 * 2) computer glasses if you use them

Class Schedule:

 * You can learn online by searching the Wiki pages found under the Search button at the top of the page or by visiting our Family History Center and using our computers.

Staff Training Meetings:
There are no staff meetings scheduled at this time.

Center Resources

Collections

 * 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

 * FamilySearch Center Portal This Portal allows you free access to many subscription databases including Ancestry, Heritage Quest, World Vital Records and more.  A partial list and description follows:

19th Century British Library Newspapers

This fully searchable database of the British Library's newspaper holdings provides a complete run of 48 national and regional Victorian British newspapers for the 19th century from 1800 to 1900. These support the study of colonial history, genealogical research, politics, urban studies, and media courses. Alexander Street Social and Cultural History

Personal accounts of well-known historical figures.

The American Civil War—Research Database

Contains indexed, searchable information on over 4 million soldiers and thousands of battles, together with 15,000 photographs.

The American Civil War—Letters and Diaries

Contains approximately 100,000 indexed pages of diaries, letters, and memoirs, including 4,000 pages of previously unpublished manuscripts, such as the letters of Amos Wood and his wife and the diary of Maryland planter William Claytor.

The American Civil War—Images, Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera

Provides a vivid history of the American Civil War with over 1,400 images.

Women and Social Movements in the United States

Organized around the history of women in social movements in the United States between A.D. 1600 and 2000.

American Ancestors Advance your family history research today with AmericanAncestors.org! Created by the expert staff at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), America's founding genealogical organization, AmericanAncestors.org is the portal to the nation's leading resource for the highest-quality, comprehensive family history services. Consult with our expert staff, some of the most respected genealogists in the profession. Read the most significant original scholarship and important publications in genealogy. Access millions of exclusive and sought-after records online. Learn with in-depth online courses and webinars from expert staff. Explore the largest collection of original family history research materials in America. Ancestry Institution Ancestry gives you access to thousands of collections of records from around the world, including immigration, census, voter, vital, and military records; newspapers and periodicals; family trees; photos and images; directories, maps, court records, land records, wills and financial records, stories, memories, and histories; and detailed records about births, marriages, deaths, land ownership, and much more. Ancestry is the largest for-profit genealogy company in the world.

Visit this partner's localized sites:U.S.AustraliaCanadaGermanySwedenUnited Kingdom ArkivDigital ArkivDigital is the largest private provider of Swedish Church Records and other historical records online! All images are newly photographed color images of the original documents. Click the link from the Premium Family History Websites page to use ArkivDigital Online.  FamNet The online family history network for those who have New Zealand roots. Findmypast  Findmypast makes it easy to research your United Kingdom ancestry and create your family tree. Search census records, and trace births, marriages, and deaths to bring your family history to life. Please note that not all of the content from Findmypast is available in FamilySearch centers. Fold3 Search or browse millions of historical documents and photos. Fold3 has refocused their efforts on gathering the best online collection of military records and stories. The Fold3 name reflects military history and honor, since traditionally, the third fold in a flag-folding ceremony honors and remembers veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in the world. Geneanet With 3 billion referenced individuals and 600,000 trees online, Geneanet is the first site dedicated to genealogy in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany. The Geneanet community has 2 million members who exchange genealogical information. MyHeritage Library Edition Used by millions of people worldwide to help research family history, build a family tree, and add photos, historical records, and more. NewspaperArchive.com Online newspaper archive contains thousands of newspapers from the 1700s to the 2000s, and millions of additional pages are added every month. v Puzzilla Find new research opportunities on descendant lines in Family Tree. Relative Finder This is a fun way to discover how you are related to Prophets, Presidents, friends, historical figures, etc.

 Your Local Public Library : Many local libraries allow you access to free research databases. Check your local public library to find out the details in your area.

Hardware and Equipment

 * Have you been sitting all day and don't want to sit some more to do your family history? Well, we have a computer that you can use standing up, so stretch your legs and do some walking (in place) as you search for your family tree.
 * We have eleven new computers available for patron use. They have large 23 inch touch screens making it easy to have multiple windows open for research.  There are several USB ports, a camera SD card port.
 * We have a printers with scanning ability so that you can scan your photos and documents and then save them to your USB stick or directly to FamilySearch.org.
 * 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 Oregon Historical Society 

Other Resources

 * Oregon State Library
 * Northwest Digital Archives
 * Oregon Historic Newspapers

Volunteer at the Center

 * If you would like to volunteer please contact us. It's a great way to learn how to do family history!