Step-by-Step Oregon Research, 1880-Present

Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What are the best questions to ask?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History


 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.

 * A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
 * For each person living in a household (depending on the year), their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military can be listed.
 * Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
 * Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.

Using clues to lead to census record searches.
- '''Following the Crawford family through the years, they apparently had no children. Ingeborg has a son, August Sandberg from an earlier marriage.'''

Finding an earlier generation.
There is no 1890 census, but here is Albert in the 1880 census with his parents, Robert and Esther Crawford. In 1870, Robert and Esther are probably newly married, with no children yet.
 * The next goal would be to find Albert Crawford in earlier census records living in his parents' home.



Look for ancestors in as many censuses as possible. Use the clues from each census for hints where to find families in both earlier and later census records.
- For more information, see Oregon Census and United States Census.

Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
 * In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations.
 * A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
 * A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Using census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records. In addition to basic birth date and place, a birth certificate can give age, birthplace, occupation, etc. about the parents. Example of a delayed birth certificate..

Using the census clues to lead to a marriage certificate
Finding marriage records can: '''Example of a marriage record. Notice that although the parents' names are not given, their birth places are.'''
 * establish the full identity of the wife, with her maiden name and possible birth details.
 * find the names of the parents of the bride and groom.

Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate
Moving forward in time, older generations stop showing up in the census. That is a clue that they probably died in the last 10 years. The death certificate is important because of all the possible secondary data beyond just the date and place of death: '''Example of a death certificate. Notice that the parents' names and birth places are given.'''
 * birth date and place of the deceased
 * maiden name of the wife
 * names of the deceased's parents
 * birth places of the deceased's parents.



Gather as many birth, marriage, and death records as possible.
'Sometimes only index entries'' are found online. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists'''. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate.

How to Find the Records
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
 * online databases
 * writing to a county courthouse (prior to the beginning of state civil registration)
 * purchasing them through the mail

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Oregon Counties.

Order Certificates from Oregon Vital Records Department.
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).


 * Where to Write for Oregon Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Oregon, see How to Find Oregon Birth Records, How to Find Oregon Marriage Records, and How to Find Oregon Death Records.

Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.

Obituaries

 * Online Oregon Death Records &amp; Indexes
 * Genealogical Forum of Oregon Obituary Index
 * ObitsArchive.com - Oregon
 * ObituariesHelp.org

Cemeteries

 * Find-A-Grave.com
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current at Ancestry
 * Billion Graves
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * BillionGraves Index at Findmypast ($)
 * Oregon, Church and Cemetery Records, 1840-1965 at Ancestry
 * at FamilySearch – How to Use This Collection
 * Oregon Cemetery Records at AccessGenealogy
 * Oregon Cemetery Records at Interment
 * Oregon Gravestones Photo Project at Oregon Gravestones
 * Oregon Tombstone Transcription Project at USGenWeb Transcription Project
 * Online Oregon Obituary and Cemetery Indexes at DeathIndexes

U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see Oregon Obituaries and Oregon Cemeteries.

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card. - Example of a World War II draft card.



'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- For more information and additional collections, see Oregon Military Records.
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 6: Look for church records online.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



Indexes
also at Findmypast($), index, also at MyHeritage($), index, also at Ancestry($).
 * Oregon, Church and Cemetery Records, 1840-1965, index($)
 * Oregon, Church Records, 1853-1874 - Index and images. Incomplete
 * 1868-1929 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1853-1935 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1903-1998 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1903-1947 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Lutheran

 * 1781-1969 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969, index and images, incomplete.($)

Presbyterian

 * 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1838-1869 Church records, 1838-1878, Presbyterian Church (Oregon) Records of Marcus Whitman's mission in the Oregon Territory. Records of the first Presbyterian Church in Oregon territory to 1878.

Roman Catholic

 * The Mantle of Elias: The Story of Fathers Blanchet and Demers in Early Oregon. , e-book by Nichols, M. Leona. Portland, Ore.: Binfords and Mort, 1941
 * Searchable index

- For help with church records kept in Oregon, see Oregon Church Records. To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 7: Search for wills and probate packets.

 * County probate records include '''probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
 * In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
 * Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.

Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: Oregon
 * Oregon, Wills and Probate Records, 1833-1963($), index and images, incomplete.
 * Probate Records available through the Oregon State Archives
 * Oregon State Archives Probate and Estate Records Index
 * Oregon State Archives Guardianship Records
 * 1857-1963 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each Oregon county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Oregon Counties

For more information, see Oregon Probate Records and United States Probate Records.

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.



Oregon Immigration Records

 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records
 * 1500s-1900s All U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s at Ancestry - index only ($); Also at MyHeritage; index only ($); includes those with Destination of Oregon
 * 1882-1903 Portland, Oregon, Chinese Immigrant Case files, 1882-1903 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1888-1956 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1888-1963 Oregon, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1888-1963 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1895-1954 Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1954 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1895-1956 United States, Border Crossings from Canada, 1895-1956 at MyHeritage - index & images ($); includes those with Destination of Oregon
 * 1895-1964 All U.S., Border Crossings from Mexico to U.S., 1895-1964 at Ancestry - index & images ($); includes those with Destination of Oregon
 * 1949-1955 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * Paper Trail Database A Guide to Overland Pioneer Names & Documents

Cultural Groups

 * 1920-1939 Germany, Bremen Emigration Lists, 1920-1939 at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Oregon
 * Germans Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Oregon
 * Italians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Oregon
 * Russians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Oregon

Passport Records Online

 * 1795-1925 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1795-1925 U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 Index and images, at Ancestry ($)

Oregon Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records
 * Oregon State Archives Naturalization Record Index
 * Oregon, Naturalization Records 1895-1999 ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for Oregon, 1859-1935 - U.S. Circuit Court, Indexes to Declarations ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for Oregon, 1906-1935 - U.S. Circuit Court, Petitions ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for Oregon, 1859-1907 - U.S. Circuit and District Courts, Admissions to citizenship ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for Oregon, 1859-1956 - U.S. District Court, Indexes to Declarations ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for Oregon, 1906-1956 - U.S. District Court, Petitions ($)
 * Naturalization Records List Records held at the Oregon State Archives
 * Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, 1859-1941 ($)

For more information, see Oregon Emigration and Immigration and Oregon Naturalization and Citizenship.

Local Histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: Oregon; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "Oregon" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * County and Town Histories
 * Internet Archive.Use keywords "Oregon" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Oregon and the name of the county.

FamilySearch Collected Local Histories

 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
 * If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
 * Go to the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * In the "Place" field, type the name of your county and click "Search".
 * A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, or History - Indexes.

Biography Collections

 * Oregon, Biographical and Other Index Card File, 1700s-1900s($), index/images
 * About Oregon, Biographical Index Card File, 1900-1986($), index/images
 * Oregon Pioneer Biographies
 * County and Town Histories, includes biographies
 * USGenWeb Oregon Biographies
 * WPA Life Histories from Oregon
 * Paper Trail
 * Early Oregonians Database Index
 * An illustrated history of the state of Oregon($), index/images
 * Pioneer days of Oregon history($), index/images
 * County and Town Histories Oregon, with biographies
 * Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature, e-book
 * The story of Oregon; a history, with portraits and biographies, by Julian Hawthorne. Vol. 1, e-book; Vol.2
 * The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Vol. 1, e-books, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4

For more information, see Oregon Biography.

Step 10: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.

 * County historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.


 * If you can find the society on the internet, they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, you can hire one of their members to search the collection for you.
 * For more information, see Oregon Societies.

The online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the list to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Example of a historical society.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * Oregon, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * Oregon, United States Historical Images, Old Version

Oregon Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in Oregon Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Oregon Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * Oregon Online Genealogy Records

Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Oregon.
This article focused more on Oregon state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Oregon. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.