Oregon Research Guide Digital Download

You'll love this if…

• You're getting started tracing your ancestors in Oregon
• You want new ideas and resources to get past a Oregon brick wall
• Your genealogy search is focused mainly on Oregon

Trace your Oregon ancestors with the advice and resources in our State Research Guide! This four-page download includes:

• a how-to article detailing Oregon’s history and records, with helpful advice on tracking your family there
• the best websites, books and other resources for Oregon research, handpicked by our editors and experts
• listings of key libraries, archives and organizations that hold the records you need
• timeline of key events in the state's history

Here's a sampling of the helpful tips you'll get in the Oregon guide:

• In 1843, Oregon’s provisional government began giving free land to settlers. Then, under the federal Donation Land Act of 1850, citizens received real estate if they’d live on and farm it for four years.
• Some Oregonian couples hopped across the Columbia River to neighboring Washington, which had laxer marriage restrictions. Such marriages would be documented in the collections of teh Washington State Archives.
• Oregon joined the Union just in time for the Civil War. Look for relatives in the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System online index.

Plus, each guide contains active web links for one-click access to every recommended online resource. You can view this PDF on your computer and print pages for references for reference.