Oregon Church Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Oregon|Oregon ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Oregon_Church_Records|Church Records]]''  
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<center>'''For greater success, use all the Wiki Articles in this series:'''</center>
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?|'''What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?''']]  
*[[Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended|'''Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended''']]
*[[How to Find Church Records in the United States|'''How to Find Church Records in the United States''']]
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination''' ]]
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by U.S. State|'''Searching for Church Records by U.S. State''']]
|}
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==Historical Background==
Before 1900 the largest religious groups in [[Oregon, United States Genealogy|Oregon]] were [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|Roman Catholic]], [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist Episcopal]], [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|Presbyterian]], [[Baptist Church in the United States|Baptist]], and Christian ([[Disciples of Christ Church in the United States|Disciples of Christ]]).<ref>William Chamberlin Hunt and United States Bureau of the Census, ''Religious Bodies: 1906'' (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1910), Vol. 1:350. Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Z6ZdiZWeStAC Google Books].</ref>


==Information Found in the Records==
Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Oregon were [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|Roman Catholic]], [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist Episcopal]], [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|Presbyterian]], [[Baptist Church in the United States|Baptist]], and Christian ([[Disciples of Christ Church in the United States|Disciples of Christ]]).{{cn}}  
To effectively use church records, become familiar with their content. Click on these links to learn about a specific record type:
{|
|-
|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Baptisms or Christenings|Baptisms or Christenings]]
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Marriages|Marriages]]
|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Funerals or Burials|Funerals or Burials]]
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Membership Lists|Membership Lists]]
|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Minutes or Historical Narrative|Minutes or Historical Narrative]]
|}


==Finding the Records==
=== Missions  ===
===Look for online records.===


<br>
St. Andress Mission - Jesuit 1888-1960


{|
Some early Episcopal and Catholic records are available at the [[Oregon Archives and Libraries|Oregon State Library]]'''[[Oregon Archives and Libraries|Oregon Archives and Libraries]]'''. Roman Catholic records for 1838 to 1869 have been published in:
|-
|
[[File:Caution sign.png|70px]]
|
Online databases are <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span>. This can lead to two common errors:
#'''Near matches:''' Researchers might <span style="color:Red">'''mistakenly accept an entry very similar to their ancestor'''</span>, thinking it is the only one available. Only use information that matches your ancestor in date, place, relationships, and other details.
#'''Stopping research''': Researchers might <span style="color:Red">'''assume the database proves church records do not exist'''</span>.  Actually the record is still out there, just not in this <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span> collection of records.  Keep searching!
|}
----
====Indexes====
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2527 Oregon, Church and Cemetery Records, 1840-1965], index($)
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2790272 Oregon, Church Records, 1853-1874] - Index and images. Incomplete
*'''1868-1929''' {{RecordSearch|1675468|Oregon, Births and Christenings, 1868-1929}} at FamilySearch - [[Oregon Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
also at [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/oregon-births-and-baptisms-1868-1929 Findmypast]($), index, also at [http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30194/oregon-births-christenings-1868-1929?s=218489221 MyHeritage]($), index, also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60106 Ancestry]($).
*'''1853-1935''' {{RecordSearch|1675533|Oregon, Marriages, 1853-1935}} at FamilySearch - [[Oregon Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1903-1998''' {{RecordSearch|1946790|Oregon, Death Index, 1903-1998}} at FamilySearch - [[Oregon Death Index, 1903-1998 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1903-1947''' {{RecordSearch|1675532|Oregon, Deaths and Burials, 1903-1947}} at FamilySearch - [[Oregon Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


====Lutheran====
*Nichols, M. Leona. ''The Mantle of Elias: The Story of Fathers Blanchet and Demers in Early Oregon. ''Portland, Ore.: Binfords and Mort, 1941; {{FHL|258406|item}} film 372495; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=28872 Ancestry] ($). An index is at the [[Oregon State Archives|Oregon State Archives]].
*'''1781-1969'''  - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969], index & images, incomplete.($)


====Presbyterian====
The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] collection includes histories of some denominations, such as the Roman Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, and Quakers. The library has few original church records for Oregon.  
*'''1701-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970], index & images, incomplete.($)
*'''1838-1869''' {{FSC|224599|item|disp=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====
A guide to help you locate churches and their records is the:  
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/399741-redirection '''''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
**[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/28872/ '''Searchable index''']
----


===Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. ===
*''Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations, State of Oregon'' Portland, Ore.: Historical Records Survey, 1940; {{FHL|150144|item}} fiche 6051178.
[[File:Family History Library.jpg|right|thumb|<center>'''FamilySearch Library'''<br>'''Salt Lake City, Utah'''</center>]]
*The [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] (FS Library) has a substantial collection of original church records and transcripts on microfilm for churches in the United States.
*Online church records can be listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under the state, county, or town.
*If you find a record that has not yet been digitized, see [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-request-that-a-microfilm-be-digitized '''How do I request that a microfilm be digitized?''']
*Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a [https://locations.familysearch.org/en/search '''FamilySearch Center'''] near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. 
*To find records:
:::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=56&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Oregon%22 '''records of United States, Oregon'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Oregon''' and a list of counties will appear.
:::c. Click on your county if it appears.
:::d. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
:::e. Click on '''Places within United States, Oregon [COUNTY]''' and a list of towns will appear.
:::f. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village. 
:::g. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
:::h. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. [[File:FHL icons.png|75px]].  The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.
-----


===Consult available finding aids.===
Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses:  
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/424686-redirection '''''Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations, State of Oregon'''''] Portland, Ore.: Historical Records Survey, 1940
*'''''Inventory of Church Archives of Oregon Presbyterian Churches: 1968 Arrangement with Indexes''.''' n.p.: Historical Records Survey, WPA, 1968; {{FSC|308751|item|disp=FS Library film 899323}}.


===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.===
=== Baptist  ===
Some records are still held in the local churches. Contact the current minister to find out what records are still available.
*'''Make an appointment''' to look at the records. Or ask the minister of the church to make a copy of the record for you.
*To find church staff available, you might have to visit on Sunday.
*Ask for small searches at a time, such as one birth record or a specific marriage. Never ask for "everything on a family or surname". 
*A '''donation''' ($25-$40) for their time and effort to help you would be appropriate.
*If the church has a website, you may be able to '''e-mail a message'''.
*See the [[Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy|'''Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy''']] for help with composing letters.
*Each [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''denomination page''']] offers an [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''online address directory of local churches''']] for that denomination.


===Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.===
American Baptist—Samuel Colgate Historical Society<br>1106 S. Goodman Street<br>Rochester, NY 14620-2532<br>Telephone: 716-473-1740<br>Fax: 716-473-1740
Some church records have been deposited for preservation in government archives or in libraries. Watch for links to '''digitized, online records''' offered by the archives. Some archives provide '''research services''' for a fee. For others, if you cannot visit in person, you might hire a researcher.<br>
<br>
<span style="color:DarkViolet">'''Here you will find archive information unique to the state. Many more archives are kept by denomination. For denominational  archives, go to  [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination.''']]</span>


----
Northrup Library<br>Linfield College<br>900 S. Baker<br>McMinnville, OR 97128-9989<br>Telephone: 503-434-2262<br>Fax: 503-434-2566
====State Library====
[https://www.oregon.gov/Library '''State Library of Oregon''']<br>
250 Winter St. NE<br>
Salem, Oregon 97301<br>
Phone:503-378-4243<br>
*[https://search.library.oregonstate.edu/primo-explore/search?vid=OSU&search_scope=everything&tab=default_tab&query=any,contains,church%20records&displayField=all '''Library Search Enginne''']


====Baptist====
=== Disciples of Christ  ===
[https://alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/search?vid=LINF&tab=default_tab&sortby=rank '''Linfield Libraries''']<br>Linfield College<br>900 S. Baker<br>McMinnville, OR 97128-9989<br>Phone: (503) 883-2261<br>Fax: (503) 883-2566


====Lutheran====
Disciples of Christ Historical Society<br>1101 19th Avenue South<br>Nashville, TN 37212<br>Telephone: 615-327-1444<br>Fax: 615-327-1445
[http://www.plu.edu/archives '''ELCA Region 1 Archives''']<br>
Archives and Special Collections<br>
Mortvedt Library<br>
Pacific Lutheran University<br>
Tacoma, WA 98447<br>
<br>
(253) 535-7586<br>
Email: archives@plu.edu<br>
*Archives hold records for '''closed churches.'''  '''For open churches write directly to [[Lutheran Church in the United States#Correspond with or visit the actual churches.|the local church.''']]


====Roman Catholic====
For a history of the Disciples of Christ in Oregon, see:
[https://dioceseofbaker.org/ '''Diocese of Baker''']<br>P.O. Box 5999<br>Bend, OR 97708-5999<br>Phone: (541) 388-4004
*[https://www.dioceseofbaker.org/parishfinder '''Contact the local parish.''']


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Baker County, Oregon Genealogy|Baker]], [[Crook County, Oregon Genealogy|Crook]], [[Deschutes County, Oregon Genealogy|Deschutes]], [[Gilliam County, Oregon Genealogy|Gilliam]], [[Harney County, Oregon Genealogy|Harney]], [[Hood River County, Oregon Genealogy|Hood River]], [[Jefferson County, Oregon Genealogy|Jefferson]], [[Klamath County, Oregon Genealogy|Klamath]], [[Lake County, Oregon Genealogy|Lake]], [[Malheur County, Oregon Genealogy|Malheur]], [[Morrow County, Oregon Genealogy|Morrow]], [[Sherman County, Oregon Genealogy|Sherman]], [[Umatilla County, Oregon Genealogy|Umatilla]], [[Union County, Oregon Genealogy|Union]], [[Wallowa County, Oregon Genealogy|Wallowa]], [[Wasco County, Oregon Genealogy|Wasco]] and [[Wheeler County, Oregon Genealogy|Wheeler]].<ref name="rome">[http://www.cdeducation.org/oym/connections/dioceseusmap.htm Map of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States of America], Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Columbus, accessed 3 Nov 2010.</ref>
*Swander, C.F. ''Making Disciples in Oregon (Church's of Christ in Oregon)'', VJohnson, 1928. Digital version at [http://ncbible.org/nwh/Swander.pdf Northwest College of the Bible].
----
<br>[https://archdpdx.org/archives-and-records '''Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon Archives and Records Office''']<br>2838 E. Burnside Street<br>Portland, OR 97214-1895<br>Phone: 503-233-8334<br>Fax: (503) 234-2545


Mailing address:<br>P.O. Box 351<br>Portland, OR 97214-1895
=== Methodist  ===
*[https://archdpdx.org/parishfinder '''Contact the local parish.] For '''closed parishes,''' contact the Archives Office.< r>
 
*The Archives Office is not open to those engaged in genealogical studies or family research; however, specific research requests may be submitted by mail only. Please include as much detailed information as possible. Only specific searches can be conducted. (Request one record at a time.<br.
United Methodist Archives Center<br>Drew University Library<br>36 Madison Avenue<br>Madison, NJ 07940<br>Telephone: 973-408-3189<br>Fax: 973-408-3909<br>Mailing address:<br>P.O. Box 127<br>Madison, NJ 07940
 
=== Presbyterian  ===
 
Presbyterian Historical Society<br>Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)<br>425 Lombard Street<br>Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516<br>Telephone: 215-627-1852<br>Fax: 215-627-0509
 
To locate Presbyterian records, see:
 
*''Inventory of Church Archives of Oregon Presbyterian Churches: 1968 Arrangement with Indexes''. n.p.: Historical Records Survey, WPA, 1968; {{FHL|308751|item}} film 899323.
 
=== Society of Friends (Quakers)  ===
 
George Fox College<br>Quaker Collection<br>[http://www.georgefox.edu/mlrc/library Shambaugh Library]<br>414 N. Meridian Street<br>Newberg, OR 97132-2697<br>Telephone: 503-538-8383
 
For a history of Oregon Quakers, see:
 
*''Remembering 75 Years of History: Quakers in Oregon'', Newberg, Ore.: Barclay Press, 1967.
 
=== Roman Catholic  ===
 
[http://www.dioceseofbaker.org/index.html Diocese of Baker]<br>P.O. Box 5999<br>Bend, OR 97708-5999<br>Phone: (541) 388-4004
 
No record information available.  
 
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Baker County, Oregon|Baker]], [[Crook County, Oregon|Crook]], [[Deschutes County, Oregon|Deschutes]], [[Gilliam County, Oregon|Gilliam]], [[Harney County, Oregon|Harney]], [[Hood River County, Oregon|Hood River]], [[Jefferson County, Oregon|Jefferson]], [[Klamath County, Oregon|Klamath]], [[Lake County, Oregon|Lake]], [[Malheur County, Oregon|Malheur]], [[Morrow County, Oregon|Morrow]], [[Sherman County, Oregon|Sherman]], [[Umatilla County, Oregon|Umatilla]], [[Union County, Oregon|Union]], [[Wallowa County, Oregon|Wallowa]], [[Wasco County, Oregon|Wasco]] and [[Wheeler County, Oregon|Wheeler]]


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Benton County, Oregon Genealogy|Benton]], [[Clackamas County, Oregon Genealogy|Clackamas]] , [[Clatsop County, Oregon Genealogy|Clatsop]], [[Columbia County, Oregon Genealogy|Columbia]], [[Coos County, Oregon Genealogy|Coos]], [[Curry County, Oregon Genealogy|Curry]], [[Douglas County, Oregon Genealogy|Douglas]], [[Josephine County, Oregon Genealogy|Josephine]], [[Lane County, Oregon Genealogy|Lane]], [[Lincoln County, Oregon Genealogy|Lincoln]], [[Linn County, Oregon Genealogy|Linn]], [[Marion County, Oregon Genealogy|Marion]], [[Multnomah County, Oregon Genealogy|Multnomah]], [[Polk County, Oregon Genealogy|Polk]], [[Tillamook County, Oregon Genealogy|Tillamook]], [[Washington County, Oregon Genealogy|Washington]] and [[Yamhill County, Oregon Genealogy|Yamhill]].<ref name="rome" />  
<br>[http://www.archdpdx.org/archives/ Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon]<br>Chancery Office<br>2838 E. Burnside Street<br>Portland, OR 97214-1895<br>Phone: (503) 234-5334<br>Fax: (503) 234-2545
----


*O'Hara, Edwin V. [http://books.google.com/books?id=AYQTAAAAYAAJ '''''Pioneer Catholic History of Oregon''.''']  Portland, Ore.: Glass &amp; Prudhomme Company, 1911.
Mailing address:<br>P.O. Box 351<br>Portland, OR 97214-1895


----
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Benton County, Oregon|Benton]], [[Clackamas County, Oregon|Clackamas]] , [[Clatsop County, Oregon|Clatsop]], [[Columbia County, Oregon|Columbia]], [[Coos County, Oregon|Coos]], [[Curry County, Oregon|Curry]], [[Douglas County, Oregon|Douglas]], [[Josephine County, Oregon|Josephine]], [[Lane County, Oregon|Lane]], [[Lincoln County, Oregon|Lincoln]], [[Linn County, Oregon|Linn]], [[Marion County, Oregon|Marion]], [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah]], [[Polk County, Oregon|Polk]], [[Tillamook County, Oregon|Tillamook]], [[Washington County, Oregon|Washington]] and [[Yamhill County, Oregon|Yamhill]]
====Society of Friends (Quakers)====


[https://www.georgefox.edu/library/explore-contribute/collections/quaker.html '''George Fox College<br>Quaker Collection''']<br>414 N. Meridian Street<br>Newberg, OR 97132-2697<br>Phone: (503) 538-8383
==== '''Abstracted records''' ====


For a history of Oregon Quakers, see:  
Harriet Duncan Munnick published a series of abstracted titled ''Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest''. Osborn-Ryan produced cumulative baptism, marriage, and death indexes to Munnick's work:


*''Remembering 75 Years of History: Quakers in Oregon''. Newberg, Ore.: Barclay Press, 1967. On film {{FSC|306422|item|disp=FS Library film 430055 Item 6}}.
*Osborn-Ryan, Sharon E. ''Cumulative Baptism Index to the Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest''. n.p.: Oregon Heritage Press, 1999. {{FHL|826628|item}} 979 K22o
----
*Osborn-Ryan, Sharon E. ''Cumulative Marriage Index to the Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest''. n.p.: Oregon Heritage Press, 1998. {{FHL|733326|item}} 979.5 K22os
*Osborn-Ryan, Sharon E. ''Cumulative Death Index to the Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest''. Portland, Ore.: S. Osborn-Ryan, 1998.&nbsp;{{FHL|719670|item}} 979.5 K22o


===Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.===
Here is a breakdown of the contents of each volume of abstracts:
Some church records have been given to historical societies. Also, historical societies may be able to tell you where the records are being held. To find a society near you, consult these lists:  
<br>


==Next, go to the Wiki article for your ancestors' denomination. ==
*Munnick, Harriet Duncan. ''Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Vancouver, Volumes I &amp; II (1838-1856) and Stellamaris Mission (1848-1860)''. St. Paul, Ore.: French Prairie Press, 1972. {{FHL|16958|item}} 979.786 K2c
There are frequently additional, nationwide or regional archives and online collections for each denomination. Find the article for your ancestors' denomination and follow the instructions there to access these sources.
*Munnick, Harriet Duncan. ''Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; St. Paul, Oregon, (1839-1898)''. Portland, Ore.: Binford &amp; Mort, 1979. {{FHL|588144|item}} 979.537 K2mh
{{Template:US-church-sidebar}}
*Munnick, Harriet Duncan. ''Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; St. Louis Register (1845-1890), Brooks Register (1893-1909)''. Portland, Ore.: Binford and Mort, 1982. {{FHL|588138|item}} 979.537 K2m
<br>
*Munnick, Harriet Duncan. ''Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Oregon City Register (1842-1890), Salem Register (1864-1885), Jacksonville Register (1854-1885)''. Portland, Ore.: Binford &amp; Mort, 1984. {{FHL|588132|item}} 979.5 K2m
==Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor==
*Munnick, Harriet Duncan. ''Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Roseburg Register &amp; Missions (1853-1911), Portland Register (1852-1871)''. Portland, Ore.: Binford &amp; Mort, 1986. {{FHL588126|item}} 979.529 K2m
You will possibly find many different people with the '''same name as your ancestor,''' especially when a family stayed in a locality for several generations, and several children were named after the '''grandparents or aunts and uncles'''. Be prepared to find the correct church records by organizing in advance as many of these exact details about the ancestor '''as possible''':
*Munnick, Harriet Duncan. ''Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Grand Ronde Register (1860-1898)''. Portland, Ore.: Binford and Mort, 1987. {{FHL|588115|item}} 979.538 K2m
*'''name''', including '''middle name and maiden name'''
*Munnick, Harriet Duncan. ''Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Missions of St. Ann &amp; St. Rose (1847-1888), Walla Walla and Frenchtown (1859-1872), and Frenchtown (1872-1888)''. Portland, Ore.: Binford &amp; Mort, 1989. {{FHL|451605|item}} 979.5 K2mh
*names of all '''spouses''', including middle and maiden name
*exact or closely estimated '''dates of birth, marriage, and death'''
*names and approximate birthdates of '''children'''
*all known places of '''residence'''
*'''occupations'''
*'''military''' service details
<br>


[[File:Dark_thin_font_green_pin_Version_4.png|50px]]'''Carefully evaluate''' the church records you find to make sure you have really found records for your ancestor and not just a '''"near match"'''. If one or more of the details do not line up, be careful about accepting the entry as your ancestor. There are guiding principles for deciding how to resolve discrepancies between records that are seemingly close. For more instruction in evaluating evidence, read the Wiki article, [[Evaluate the Evidence|'''Evaluate the Evidence'''.]]
==== '''Histories:''' ====


==References==
*O'Hara, Edwin V. ''Pioneer Catholic History of Oregon''. Portland, Ore.: Glass &amp; Prudhomme Company, 1911. Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=AYQTAAAAYAAJ Google Books].


<references />
{{Oregon}}


{{Oregon}}{{USChurch}}
[[Category:Oregon|Church]]
{{-}}</div>
[[Category:Oregon, United States|Church]]
[[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]

Revision as of 10:53, 2 December 2010

United States  Gotoarrow.png  Oregon  Gotoarrow.png  Church Records

Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Oregon were Roman Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Christian (Disciples of Christ).[citation needed]


Missions[edit | edit source]

St. Andress Mission - Jesuit 1888-1960

Some early Episcopal and Catholic records are available at the Oregon State LibraryOregon Archives and Libraries. Roman Catholic records for 1838 to 1869 have been published in:

  • Nichols, M. Leona. The Mantle of Elias: The Story of Fathers Blanchet and Demers in Early Oregon. Portland, Ore.: Binfords and Mort, 1941; FHL Collection film 372495; digital version at Ancestry ($). An index is at the Oregon State Archives.

The Family History Library collection includes histories of some denominations, such as the Roman Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, and Quakers. The library has few original church records for Oregon.

A guide to help you locate churches and their records is the:

  • Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations, State of Oregon Portland, Ore.: Historical Records Survey, 1940; FHL Collection fiche 6051178.

Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses:

Baptist[edit | edit source]

American Baptist—Samuel Colgate Historical Society
1106 S. Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14620-2532
Telephone: 716-473-1740
Fax: 716-473-1740

Northrup Library
Linfield College
900 S. Baker
McMinnville, OR 97128-9989
Telephone: 503-434-2262
Fax: 503-434-2566

Disciples of Christ[edit | edit source]

Disciples of Christ Historical Society
1101 19th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
Telephone: 615-327-1444
Fax: 615-327-1445

For a history of the Disciples of Christ in Oregon, see:

Methodist[edit | edit source]

United Methodist Archives Center
Drew University Library
36 Madison Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940
Telephone: 973-408-3189
Fax: 973-408-3909
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 127
Madison, NJ 07940

Presbyterian[edit | edit source]

Presbyterian Historical Society
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
425 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516
Telephone: 215-627-1852
Fax: 215-627-0509

To locate Presbyterian records, see:

  • Inventory of Church Archives of Oregon Presbyterian Churches: 1968 Arrangement with Indexes. n.p.: Historical Records Survey, WPA, 1968; FHL Collection film 899323.

Society of Friends (Quakers)[edit | edit source]

George Fox College
Quaker Collection
Shambaugh Library
414 N. Meridian Street
Newberg, OR 97132-2697
Telephone: 503-538-8383

For a history of Oregon Quakers, see:

  • Remembering 75 Years of History: Quakers in Oregon, Newberg, Ore.: Barclay Press, 1967.

Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]

Diocese of Baker
P.O. Box 5999
Bend, OR 97708-5999
Phone: (541) 388-4004

No record information available.

The diocese includes the counties of: Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler


Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Chancery Office
2838 E. Burnside Street
Portland, OR 97214-1895
Phone: (503) 234-5334
Fax: (503) 234-2545

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 351
Portland, OR 97214-1895

The diocese includes the counties of: Benton, Clackamas , Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill

Abstracted records[edit | edit source]

Harriet Duncan Munnick published a series of abstracted titled Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest. Osborn-Ryan produced cumulative baptism, marriage, and death indexes to Munnick's work:

  • Osborn-Ryan, Sharon E. Cumulative Baptism Index to the Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest. n.p.: Oregon Heritage Press, 1999. FHL Collection 979 K22o
  • Osborn-Ryan, Sharon E. Cumulative Marriage Index to the Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest. n.p.: Oregon Heritage Press, 1998. FHL Collection 979.5 K22os
  • Osborn-Ryan, Sharon E. Cumulative Death Index to the Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest. Portland, Ore.: S. Osborn-Ryan, 1998. FHL Collection 979.5 K22o

Here is a breakdown of the contents of each volume of abstracts:

  • Munnick, Harriet Duncan. Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Vancouver, Volumes I & II (1838-1856) and Stellamaris Mission (1848-1860). St. Paul, Ore.: French Prairie Press, 1972. FHL Collection 979.786 K2c
  • Munnick, Harriet Duncan. Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; St. Paul, Oregon, (1839-1898). Portland, Ore.: Binford & Mort, 1979. FHL Collection 979.537 K2mh
  • Munnick, Harriet Duncan. Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; St. Louis Register (1845-1890), Brooks Register (1893-1909). Portland, Ore.: Binford and Mort, 1982. FHL Collection 979.537 K2m
  • Munnick, Harriet Duncan. Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Oregon City Register (1842-1890), Salem Register (1864-1885), Jacksonville Register (1854-1885). Portland, Ore.: Binford & Mort, 1984. FHL Collection 979.5 K2m
  • Munnick, Harriet Duncan. Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Roseburg Register & Missions (1853-1911), Portland Register (1852-1871). Portland, Ore.: Binford & Mort, 1986. Template:FHL588126 979.529 K2m
  • Munnick, Harriet Duncan. Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Grand Ronde Register (1860-1898). Portland, Ore.: Binford and Mort, 1987. FHL Collection 979.538 K2m
  • Munnick, Harriet Duncan. Catholic Church Records of the Pacific Northwest; Missions of St. Ann & St. Rose (1847-1888), Walla Walla and Frenchtown (1859-1872), and Frenchtown (1872-1888). Portland, Ore.: Binford & Mort, 1989. FHL Collection 979.5 K2mh

Histories:[edit | edit source]

  • O'Hara, Edwin V. Pioneer Catholic History of Oregon. Portland, Ore.: Glass & Prudhomme Company, 1911. Digital version at Google Books.

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