This file is as complete and accurate as possible, however if you should find errors, have additions or deletions, send them to me and I will update the file. Bill Green bgreen@milo.nodak.edu bill90@Delphi.Com Date of last update: 31 August 1994 ************************************************************************** GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF OREGON 5 March 1989 Robert McLaren 7810 Kincardine Ct. Alexandria, VA 22310-4025 The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical societies in Oregon. Included in the listing, where known, are telephone numbers and yearly dues. This listing is donated to the public domain and may be freely copied. Under no conditions can this listing be sold or used in any other commercial fashion. If you think this list has any value, then donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or the National Genealogical Society). If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE). Many of these societies work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to respond unless a SASE is included in your letter. Oregon Genealogical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 10306 Eugene, OR 97440-2306 Dues: $15.00 per year Benton County Mid-Valley Genealogical Society 3960 NW Elizabeth Place Corvallis, OR 97330 Dues: Clackamas County Clackamas County Family History Society P.O. Box 995 Oregon City, OR 97045 Dues: $12.00 includes subscription to 'Clackamas Legacy' which is published 4X/year and indexed in PERSI Clatsop County Clatsop County Genealogical Society c/o Astoria Public Library 450 10th Street Astoria, OR 97103 Dues: Clatsop County Historical Society 1618 Exchange Street Astoria, OR 97103 Dues: Coos County Coos Bay Genealogical Forum P.O. Box 1067 North Bend, OR 97459 Dues: Curry County Port Orford Genealogical Society c/o Port Orford Public Library 555 West 20th Street Port Orford, OR 97465 Dues: Deschutes County Deschutes County Historical and Genealogical Society P.O. Box 5252 Bend, OR 97701 Dues: La Pine Genealogical Society P.O. Box 2081 La Pine, OR 97739 Dues: Douglas County The Genealogical Society of Douglas County P.O. Box 579 Roseburg, OR 97470 Dues: $10.00 per year Jackson County Rogue Valley Genealogical Society 125 South Central Avenue Suite 204 Medford, OR 97501 Dues: Digger O'Dells Restaurant Genealogical Society c/o Susan Geear 333 East Main Street Medford, OR 97501 Dues: Josephine County Josephine County Historical Society 508 SW 5th Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 Dues: Grants Pass Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1834 Grants Pass, OR 97526 Dues: Klamath County Klamath Basin Genealogical Society 1555 Hope Street Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Dues: Lake County Lake County Historical Society 35 South G Street Lakeview, OR 97630 Dues: Lane County Lane County Historical Society 84889 Harry Taylor Road Eugene, OR 97405 Dues: Cottage Grove Genealogical Society P.O. Box 388 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Dues: $10.00 per year Cottage Grove Historical Society Isabelle Woolcott, Treasurer 80227 Hazelton Road Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Dues: Siuslaw Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1540 Florence, OR 97439 Dues: Lincoln County Yaquina Genealogical Society c/o Toledo Public Library 173 NW Seventh Street Toledo, OR 97391 Dues: $5.00 per year Linn County Linn Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1222 Albany, OR 97321 Dues: Sweet Home Genealogical Society c/o Sweet Home Library 13th and Kalmia Streets Sweet Home, OR 97386 Dues: Marion County Willamette Valley Genealogical Society P.O. Box 2083 Salem, OR 97308 Dues: $10.00 per year (single); $15.00 per year (family) Woodburn Genealogical Club c/o Virginia Eckert 2220 Oregon Court Woodburn, OR 97071 Dues: Multnomah County Genealogical Forum of Portland, Oregon, Inc. 1410 SW Morrison Street Suite 812 Portland, OR 97205 Dues: $15.00 per year Polk County Polk County Genealogical Society c/o Dallas Public Library 187 SW Court Street Dallas, OR 97338 Dues: Umatilla County Umatilla County Historical Society Box 253 Pendleton, OR 97801 Dues: Blue Mountain Genealogical society P.O. Box 1801 Pendleton, OR 97801 Dues: Milton-Freewater Genealogical Club c/o Carmen Buff 127 SE 6th Street Milton-Freewater, OR 97862 Dues: Wasco County The Mid-Columbia Genealogical Society 722 Court Street The Dalles, OR 97058 Dues: Yamhill County Yamhill County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 568 McMinaville, OR 97128 Dues: $6.00 per year ************************************************************************** VITAL RECORDS County Records of Births and Deaths While most counties began keeping birth and death records in 1903, some areas started as early as 1854. For example, birth records for Portland begin in 1864 and death records begin in 1862, but they are incomplete. These are available at the Oregon State Archives. You can write to each county clerk for information. State Records of Births and Deaths Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1903. The original birth and death records are only available from the state. To request copies, write to: Oregon State Health Division Vital Statistics Section P.O. Box 14050 Portland, OR 97214 State records are not open to the public. Birth records are available only to the registrant's immediate family. Death records are available to persons with a "direct and tangible interest." In your request, state your relationship to the individual you want information about and your reason. The Oregon State Archives has an index to the state's records of births and deaths from 1903 to 1984. Delayed registration of births began in the late 1930s. To obtain these records write to the Oregon State Health Division. Marriage and Divorce Records Counties began to record marriages soon after they were organized. Some county marriage records date from 1849. Write to the county clerk for information on early records they may have. Beginning in 1906 each county sent copies of the records to the Oregon State Health Division (address above). For records after 1906 you can write to the county clerk or to the state. Before 1853, divorces were granted by the territorial legislature. These records are now kept at the Oregon State Archives. Divorces that occurred after 1853 were recorded in the circuit court of each county. Records since 1925 may also be obtained from the Oregon State Health Division (address above). (Source: FHC Research Guide) ************************************************************************** STATE ARCHIVES Oregon State Archives 1005 Broadway, N.E. Salem, OR 97310 The new Oregon State Archives Building (noted for its $100 per yard carpet and marble floors) only has records that are over 50 years old. When visiting in person, for death records, you may request the year and county, and they will get the boxes that contain those records. You may look for the records you want, and make copies of any you wish. The copies are 15 cents each, on the honor system. They have a (small) section of genealogical books and indexes, and the staff were helpful and friendly. I'm not sure how they handle mail requests. For records less than 50 years old, you must request them from the State Vital Records Office, in Portland, OR, where birth or death certificate copies are $13 each. If you want to order by telephone ([503] 731-4450) with a credit card, they charge a $10 expediting fee. For information other than ordering, the number is (503)731-4108. The Address for mail requests is: Oregon Health Division Division of Vital Records PO Box 14050 Expect copies requested by mail to take 3 weeks. Oregon Genealogical Society P.O. Box 10306 Eugene, OR 97440-2306 Oregon Historical Society Library 1230 S.W. Park Avenue Portland, OR 97205 Genealogical Forum of Portland, Oregon, Inc. 1410 S.W. Morrison Street, Room 812 Portland, OR 97205 Oregon State Library State Library Building Salem, OR 97310-0640 University of Oregon Main Library Eugene, OR 97403-1299 Multnomah County Library Literature and History Division 801 S.W. Tenth Avenue Portland, OR 97205 (Source: FHC Research Guide) ************************************************************************** NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS -- **************************************************************************** * Bill Green Minot, North Dakota 58701 * Home of the * * bgreen@milo.NoDak.Edu * NORSK H0STFEST * * Bill90@Delphi.Com * Velkommen! * ****************************************************************************