Indigenous Peoples of Oregon

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' 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) and their internet site.

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, Washington: 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.

Records available on the internet can be located by using a search engine with key words such as "Indians Tribes Oregon".

Warm Springs
Tribes served by the Warm Springs Agency are the Paiute, Walla, Walla, Cayuse, Umatilla, Wasco, and Chinook. This includes the record of Umatilla Agency, which became a subagency of Warm Springs Agency. Covers the years of 1879-1951.