Oregon Genealogical Records

Oregon Birth & Baptism Records

Oregon Births and Christenings (1868-1929)

Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Oregon. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

Oregon Church & Cemetery Records (1840-1965)

An index to and digital images of around 70,000 baptism, marriage, burial and cemetery records from various denominations.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US Consular Reports of Births (1910-1945)

An index to and images of 36,000 birth records for children of US citizens registered abroad. Records contain child's name, date and place of birth, parents' names and ages, occupations, residence, passport numbers, consulate where registered, parents' naturalization dates, parents place of of birth and number of living children to the parents.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

Oregon Marriage & Divorce Records

Oregon County Marriages (1851-1975)

An index to and images of over 300,000 marriage records. They may include age, place of birth, parents' names and other details.

Oregon Marriage Index (1906-2008)

An index to more than 750,000 marriages, listing name and date and place of marriage. The facility is able to suggest the likely spouse.

Oregon Church & Cemetery Records (1840-1965)

An index to and digital images of around 70,000 baptism, marriage, burial and cemetery records from various denominations.

Western States Marriage Index (1809-2011)

A growing index to over 1 million marriages recorded in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and New Mexico.

Oregon Marriages (1853-1935)

Name index to over 27,000 marriage records from the state of Oregon. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

Oregon Death & Burial Records

Oregon Death Index (1898-2008)

An index to 1.9 million deaths registered in the state, including name, spouse's name, date of death, death county, year of birth and a reference to order a full death certificate.

Oregon Church & Cemetery Records (1840-1965)

An index to and digital images of around 70,000 baptism, marriage, burial and cemetery records from various denominations.

Oregon Deaths and Burials (1903-1947)

Name index to death and burial records from the state of Oregon. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

United States Social Security Death Index (1962-Present)

An index to over 93 million people whose death has been recorded by the Social Security Administration. It includes date of birth, date of death, last place of residence and other details. It can be used to located other records, such as death certificates, which will provide more information.

US Mortality Schedules (1849-1886)

Details of over 1.6 million people who died between 1849 and 1886. Entries may list name, gender, colour, marital status, place of birth, occupation, cause of death and more.

Oregon Census & Population Lists

1850 Oregon Territory Census (1850)

An index to population, mortality, agriculture and industry censuses, which list names, occupations, values of property, date of birth, place of birth and more.

Oregon Census Index (1841-1890)

An index to 55,000 names extracted from federal censuses and a veterans schedule.

US WWII Old Man's Draft Registration (1942)

Records registering over 15 million men born between 1877 and 1897, including name, age, birth date and place, residence, employer, and physical description.

1940 United States Census (1940)

A name index and digital images of registers recording almost 135 million people living in the United States. The registers record age, place of birth, relationships, occupations and more.

1930 United States Census (1930)

An index to 125 million people living in the United States, linked to registers recording their age, place of birth, family relationships and more.

Newspapers Covering Oregon

Oregon Biographical & Other Indexes (1770-1940)

An index to people related to Oregon including family notices in newspapers, biographies and references in works and manuscripts.

The Oregon Statesman Index Books (1850-1866)

An index to names found in various articles.

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

Newspapers.com (1728-Present)

A growing collection of text-searchable, digitalised newspapers from the United States of America. Contains thousands of titles and over 100 million pages.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

Oregon Wills & Probate Records

Oregon Wills & Probate Records (1833-1963)

An index to and images of more than 30,000 wills and probate documents. They typically record details of the deceased's relatives; and sometimes describe real and personal property, sentiments, convictions, intended places of burial and more.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. I (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. II (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Oregon Immigration & Travel Records

Japanese Americans Relocated During WWII (1942-1946)

Name index of Japanese Americans living in Washington, Oregon, and California who were relocated during World War II.

New York Passenger and Crew Lists (1909-1957)

Digital images of registers recording the arrival of passengers and crew at New York harbour. Varying details are included, such as name, age, gender, occupation, nationality, race, last place of residence, intended place of residence and more. The registers can be searched by a name index of over 28 million names.

Canada-US Border Crossings (1895-1956)

This database contains an index of aliens and citizens crossing into the U.S. from Canada via various ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border. It may include name, age, date and place of birth, gender, ethnicity/nationality, names of friends and relatives and more.

San Francisco Passenger Lists (1893-1953)

Name index and images from passenger lists of those arriving in San Francisco, California. Records details, such as place of birth and occupation of around 3 million people.

New York Passenger Arrival Lists (1892-Present)

Images of passenger and crew lists, searchable by an index of more than 51 million names. Lists may contain details such as age, gender, place of origin, occupation and much more.

Oregon Military Records

Oregonians in the Spanish & Philippine Wars (1898-1902)

Muster rolls of the various companies, containing lengthy notes; and reports from the officers.

Civil War Service Records Oregon Soldiers (1861-1865)

Union service records of soldiers who served in organisations from Oregon. The records include a jacket-envelope for each soldier, labelled with his name, his rank, and the unit in which he served.

Oregon Census Index (1841-1890)

An index to 55,000 names extracted from federal censuses and a veterans schedule.

US World War II Draft Registration Cards (1942)

Digital images of over 10 million registration cards, which record name, address, date and place of birth, next of kin, employer and more. Cards can be searched by a name index.

US WWII Old Man's Draft Registration (1942)

Records registering over 15 million men born between 1877 and 1897, including name, age, birth date and place, residence, employer, and physical description.

Oregon Motor Vehicle Registrations (1911-1946)

An index to and images of around 3.6 million vehicle registrations, including license number, name and address of owner, make of car, motor number, model and year of manufacture and type of body. Also included are motor vehicle conviction records.

US Passport Applications (1795-1925)

Digital images of applications for passports, which list name, date and place of birth, father's particulars, immigration and naturalisation details, residence, occupation, photograph and more. Searchable by a name index.

US Social Security Applications & Claims Index (1936-2007)

An index to 49 million applications and claims for social security. The index includes name, SSN, date and place of birth, nation of citizenship, gender, father's name, mother's maiden name and race.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Pension Office Correspondence (1889-1904)

Name index and images of the name and subject index to correspondence of the Records and Pension office. Searchable by an index of almost 800,000 names.

Oregon Taxation Records

IRS Tax Assessment Lists (1862-1918)

An index to and digital images of registers recording 8.8 million instances of taxation. The records list the name of the person or business being taxed: their address and details tax assessed and paid.

Oregon Land & Property Records

US Early Land Records & Plats (1785-1898)

Maps of Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin listing land owners and details of the land.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Union Army Provost Marshals' Papers (1861-1867)

Over 235,000 documents relating to Union prisoners, legal proceedings, oaths, land forfeitures and more.

Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty-Land Applications (1800-1900)

An index to and digital images of around 80,000 applications for pensions or grants to public lands in lieu of military service. Some applications may contain over 200 pages of information.

Oregon Directories & Gazetteers

Pacific Coast Directory (1867)

Contains the name and address of each merchant, manufacturer and professional residing in the states of California, Oregon and Nevada, territories of Washington, Idaho and Utah and the colony of British Columbia.

Eastern Oregon Directory (1900)

A searchable book containing information relating to the area, its residents and businesses.

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

US City Directories (1821-1989)

An index to around 1.5 billion names found in books containing list of citizens & businesses: their addresses and occupation or business. The index is linked to scanned images of the books, which may also contain local history, details of government bodies, officials and more.

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

Oregon Cemeteries

Oregon Gravestones (1800-Present)

A growing database of over 102,000 gravestones, searchable by name and organised by cemetery.

Oregon Church & Cemetery Records (1840-1965)

An index to and digital images of around 70,000 baptism, marriage, burial and cemetery records from various denominations.

US Veteran's Gravesites (1775-2008)

A database containing details of the burial of 7.6 million US military veterans. Entries may contain details of birth, next of kin and more.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

Oregon Obituaries

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Obituary Collection (1700-Present)

A growing database containing 10s of millions of abstract obituaries with a reference to the publication it occurred in and a link to the full obituary if available online.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

Daily Obituary Digest (1995-Present)

A growing index to more than 16 million obituaries, citing name, age, residence and source publication.

Oregon Histories & Books

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

Mary Evans Picture Library (2000 BC-Present)

A database of over 300,000 photos, etchings, engravings and other mediums depicting places and events in the British Isles and the rest of the world.

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Ancestry Member Photos & Documents (6000 BC-Present)

Over 60 million historic photographs and documents submitted to Ancestry. This rich collection contains many rare sources of interest to local historians and will be relevant to most genealogical research.

US Historical Postcards (1880-1940)

This database contains over 115,000 historical postcards with photos of places in the United States. Each postcard caption has been indexed and may be searched by keyword or location.

Oregon School & Education Records

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

A growing index to over 300 million entries in middle school, junior high, high school, and college yearbooks linked to digital images of the yearbook pages. Yearbooks usually include name and photo, but may include biographical data, such as family relations, academic achievements and hobbies.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

An index to and digital images of over 20,000 year books, listing details of schools, students and staff. Many contain photographs.

US School Catalogues (1765-1935)

A variety of publications listing names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with US universities, seminaries and theological institutes, normal schools, medical schools, academies, military schools, etc. Records include catalogues, obituary records and necrologies, class histories, speeches and addresses, commencement exercises, class reports, registers, prospectus, circulars, proceedings, annual reports, magazines and other documents.

High School Student Lists (1821-1923)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated primarily with preparatory and similar schools, including academies, high schools, seminaries, reform schools, institutes, industrial schools, military academies, dance schools, grammar schools, Latin schools and others. Searchable by an index of around 650,000 names.

US College Student Lists (1763-1924)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of college students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with places of learning. They include catalouges of students and officers, histories, biographical sketches, retrospectives, memorials, registers, anniversary books, annual reports, addresses and commencement exercises, alumni lists, lists of lectures and courses, board proceedings, catalogues of fraternity members, and other items.

Oregon Occupation & Business Records

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules (1850-1880)

An index and digital images of schedules recording statistical data concerning agriculture, industry, social and other areas. Includes many people and businesses.

Register of Civil Military & Naval Service (1863-1959)

Registers include the name of each government employee, office held, where employed, where born, whence appointed, and pay received, as well as information regarding the Navy, such as names and conditions of all ships and vessels belonging to the United States and when and where they were built.

Appointments of US Postmasters (1832-1971)

Books recording over 1.5 million post office appointments. They contain name, appointment date, date and cause of vacancy and post office of appointment. Searchable by a name index.

Slave Voyages Database (1514-1866)

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database has information on more than 35,000 slave voyages that forcibly embarked over 12 million Africans for transport to the Americas between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Oregon

Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books (1620-1938)

Pedigrees of women who were descendants of one or more servicemen of The American Revolutionary War. Contains 100,000s of names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Families in the US (1600-1920)

Genealogical charts, and coats of arms where appropriate, of prominent families in America's early history.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

Oregon Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

History of England Society & Government (56 BC-1867)

A lengthy history of England detailing the country's connection to the U.S.A. Includes much detail on royalty, nobility and other historical figures of note.

Oregon Church Records

Oregon Church & Cemetery Records (1840-1965)

An index to and digital images of around 70,000 baptism, marriage, burial and cemetery records from various denominations.

US Quaker Meeting Records (1681-1935)

An index to and digital images of documents recording almost 6 million names. They include registers of births, marriages and deaths; lists of members; movement of members between congregations; records of discipline; disownment; burials and more.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Index to Quaker Records (1680-1940)

An index to close to 900,000 names occurring in Quaker meeting records. These cover items such as discipline, admittance, movement between meetings, some vital events and much more.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

Biographical Directories Covering Oregon

Oregon Biographical Index (1900-1986)

This collection of index cards lists references to over 240,000 Oregon residents from a number of sources: church records, obituaries, newspapers, books, magazines, photographs, funeral home records, and others.

Women of the US West (1928)

This database contains approximately 1,100 short biographies of women from 11 western states complied in the 1928 edition of Women of the West.

Early Oregonians Index (1800-1860)

Brief biographical details of Oregonians extracted from censuses, probate records, vital records and more.

Oregon Biographical & Other Indexes (1770-1940)

An index to people related to Oregon including family notices in newspapers, biographies and references in works and manuscripts.

Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans (1904)

A ten volume work containing close to 20,000 biographies of notable Americans.

Oregon Maps

US Early Land Records & Plats (1785-1898)

Maps of Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin listing land owners and details of the land.

US Enumeration District Maps & Descriptions (1940)

Maps recording districts used to allot areas in which census takers would operate. Searchable by street name and more.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Oregon Reference Works

Periodical Source Index (1825-Present)

An index to over 2.7 million articles published in various genealogical, historical and ethnographic publications.

US Free Genealogical Data Search Engine (1513-Present)

A search engine that covers over 2.5 million pages of vital records, family trees, biographies and other genealogical resources.

A Guide to the NARA Field Branches (1988)

Details of record collections held by numerous sub-branches of The National Archives.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

US Family Historian's Address Book (1997)

A directory of bodies that hold important collections of genealogical and historical records, ordered by state. As it was published in 1997, some contact details may be out of date, but the organizations' names can be used to locate updated information.

Historical Description

OREGON (Territory.) One of the recently-organized territories of the United States, embracing a vast region, extending from the Rocky Mountains on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west. The Columbia River, its principal stream, was discovered in 1792, and named by Captain Gray, of ship Columbia, of Boston. Having penetrated the river for some distance, and established the fact of its existence, the title by discovery belonged to the United States. Under the authority of this government, Captains Lewis and Clarke, in 1804 and 1805, explored the country from the mouth of the Missouri to the mouth of the Columbia. where they passed the following winter, thus strengthening the claim of the United States to the territory; this exploration of the river being the first ever made by civilized adventurers. The first trading-house established in that region was erected on Lewis’s River, a branch of the Columbia, in 1808, by the Missouri Fur Company; and in 1811, the town of Astoria was founded by the Pacific Fur Company, under John Jacob Astor, of New York. This post was subsequently transferred to the British “Hudson’s Bay Company,” in consequence of its exposed situation during the war of 1812; but was afterwards restored, according to a stipulation in the treaty of Ghent. The British government, however, claimed certain portions of the northern part of the country; and the question of boundary between the English and American possessions was for a long time a matter of controversy and negotiation. The subject was at length adjusted in 1847, and the 49th parallel of north latitude agreed upon as the line of demarcation. Congress, at about the same period, passed an act for the organization of a territorial government. The provisions of this act, so far as they relate to civil and judicial magistrates, to the Indians, the public lands, school reservations, &c., are similar to those established in the case of Minnesota Territory. (See Minnesota.) The act has since been amended in some particulars; but its general features are not essentially altered.

The Territory of Oregon is bounded north by the British possessions, from which it is divided at the parallel of 49° north latitude; east by the main range of the Rocky Mountains, separating it from the waste region of Nebraska; south by the Territory of Utah, and the State of California; and west by the Pacific Ocean. It extends from latitude 42° north to the above parallel; and, along its southern boundary, reaches from the 108th to the 124th degree of west longitude. Its area is estimated at upwards of 340,000 square miles.

The surface presents three distinct sections or tracts of country, formed by separate and nearly parallel mountain ranges, two of which extend through the territory from north to south. The Cascade Mountains form the eastern limit of the first section, its western boundary being the ocean; between these mountains and the next eastern range, called the Blue Mountains, lies the middle or second section; and the third section, still farther eastward, reaches to the Rocky Mountains.

These divisions differ considerably in most of their physical characteristics-in soil, climate, and natural products. The soil of the western or coast section, for the space of 100 to 150 miles east of the ocean, is not remarkably well adapted to the growth of grains, although many kinds of vegetable esculents may be successfully cultivated. The land is well timbered with firs, spruce, pine, oaks, ash, cedar, poplar, maple, willow, and other forest-trees. Fruit-trees of the more hardy kinds, shrubbery, vines, &c., are found to thrive in all unexposed places. Towards the coast, some of the forest-trees attain a prodigious size and height. Near Astoria, eight miles from the sea, there is, or recently was, a fir-tree 46 feet in girth, and 300 feet high; the trunk rising to a height of 153 feet before giving off a single branch. On the banks of the River Umpqua is a still more enormous specimen of the fir, being 57 feet m circumference, and 216 feet high below the branches. Pines reaching an altitude of 200 to 300 feet, and 20 to 40 feet round, are quite common. Good grazing tracts, and lands suited to the culture of many kinds of grain, and to the growth of pears, apples, and similar fruits, are found in the interior of this section, and at the base of the Cascade Mountains. The climate in this quarter is mild, though affected unfavorably at times by the raw sea fogs. It is not, however, unhealthy. The winters continue only from two to three months, commencing in December, though the rainy season lasts from November to March. Snow is not common, except upon the summits of the mountains. The middle section of the territory possesses a fair soil, consisting in part of a light, sandy loam, with many tracts of rich alluvion in the valleys. It is peculiarly suited to the production of wheat, and is fruitful in almost every description of vegetation. The climate here, especially towards the south, is uniformly pleasant and salubrious. The third division, lying between the Blue and Rocky Mountains, is extremely rough, and generally barren, with a correspondingly uncongenial climate. It is traversed by gigantic and lofty mountain ridges in various directions, and so broken into rocky masses as to present few level or productive spots. It is covered, in the elevated parts, with snow, to a greater or less depth, during almost the entire year Rain seldom falls, nor are there any dews. The temperature often varies 40° between sunrise and noon. Much less is known of the two last-mentioned sections of country than of that which lies on the shore of the Pacific, the chief seat, at present, of all the commercial or trading operations of the country.

A number of extensive and capacious rivers flow through the territory, generally taking their rise in the mountains, and their course towards the Pacific. The chief among these is the Columbia, (sometimes called the Oregon,) which originates in the Rocky Mountains, and, after a devious track of many hundred miles, enters the Pacific Ocean from the east, in latitude 46° 19' north. It is navigable for vessels of 12 feet draught for 120 miles, and for boats some 40 miles beyond, to the falls of the Cascade Mountains. Some travellers describe it as excelling most of the celebrated rivers of North America in beauty and magnificence. At its mouth lies a large and commodious estuary, the entrance to which, from the ocean, is somewhat intricate, but which affords shelter and good anchorage to vessels of the largest tonnage. The Columbia, in its long and tortuous course, receives the waters of numerous tributaries, flowing from the north, the east, and the south. Some of these are of great volume and extent, and are also supplied by countless smaller branches and forks, stretching from every point, and presenting thousands of admirable mill sites. The other rivers which communicate directly with the Pacific are the Klamath and the Umpqua, both south of the Columbia, and extending inland only to the first or coast range of mountains. The principal rivers which empty into the Columbia, at various points, are the Canoe, Kootanie, Clark’s, Spokan, Okanagan, Lewis, Kooskooske, Salmon, Umatilla, Quisnel’s, John Day’s, Chute, Cathlatate’s, Cowelitz, and Willamette. The last named is a very important stream, flowing through a spacious and fertile valley, and uniting with the Columbia at a point not many miles from the ocean.

A number of settlements have been made upon the shores of the Columbia; and on the banks of the Willamette are situated some of the largest villages and towns in the territory. Among the former are Fort Vancouver, Astoria, St. Helen’s, and Milton, the first two of which are places of considerable trade; and among the latter are Portland, already containing 15,000 inhabitants, several mills, churches, school-houses, &c., Milwaukie, Oregon city, Linn city, Champoeg, Salem, and many others, all possessing ample water privileges, surrounded by a fine agricultural country, and inhabited by an industrious, intelligent, moral, and thriving people. Farther in the interior are Hillsborough and Lafayette, the latter having a population of 800. A railroad from Milton, on the Columbia, to Lafayette, and thence into the interior, is in contemplation, at an estimated cost of $500,000.

The mountains of Oregon frequently shoot up into conical peaks of astonishing height, presenting objects of grand and awful sublimity. The summits of many of these towering eminences, in the coast range, reach an elevation of from 12,000 to 14,000 feet above the level of the sea, ascending to twice the altitude of the region of perpetual snow, and bidding defiance to the approach of human footsteps. The Rocky Mountains, that immense natural barrier on the east, rise in many places to a still greater elevation. They form a continuous chain, often ascending to a height of 16,000 feet, but occasionally offering to the hardy traveller some convenient depression or gap, whereby he may pass from side to side. In the northern part of this range are the sources of Frazer’s River, which finds its outlet at the north-west corner of the territory, after a course of 350 miles through the British possessions. The northern branch of the Columbia rises in these mountains, in latitude 50° north, and, after having traversed this elevated region some 220 miles, and having fallen 550 feet, is still found, at Fort Colville, half way across the territory, to be over 2000 feet above the ocean level.

The lands around Puget’s Sound, in the north-west part of Oregon, are among the most valuable in the territory for agricultural purposes, as well as for commercial pursuits. They consist of extensive prairies, which furnish food for great numbers of horses, cattle, swine, &c. Several flourishing settlements are established in this vicinity, and a large amount of trade is carried on. A considerable portion of the inhabitants are French and English emigrants from Canada. Much excellent timber is found in this region; and mills have been erected upon the adjacent streams, where there are many valuable waterfalls. The waters of this sound abound in shell and other fish. The tide regularly flows and ebbs from fifteen to eighteen feet, and the navigation is unobstructed and safe.

Oregon is extremely rich in mineral resources, especially in the southern quarter, contiguous to the State of California. Large quantities of gold are dug in the fertile and pleasant valleys of the Klamath and the Umpqua. It is found even among the roots of the prairie grass. A lump valued at $230 was recently taken from a sod; and those who are in search of the precious metal in this section-of whom there are thousands-seldom dig to a depth of more than three feet. Iron ore abounds on the Columbia; and among the other minerals already found in different parts of the territory are copper, lead, platina, plumbago, sulphur, salt, and coal. The latter is very abundant on the Cowelitz River, and at Puget’s Sound.

There are many populous tribes of Indians within the territory, whose views and feelings are dissimilar in regard to the encroachments of the white man, and the advancement of civilization around them. The most powerful tribe are the Shoshonoes, or Snake Indians who are said to number 15,000. The other principal tribes are the Flatheads, Flatbows, Pointed Hearts, and Pierced Noses. There are, besides, numerous smaller tribes. The governor of the territory, in his message to the legislature, in the spring of 1851, advocates the passage of a law by Congress for the protection of the Indian tribes.

The population of this territory has multiplied prodigiously within a very few years. In 1840, the number was estimated at only 700 or 800. At this time, exclusive of Indians, it is probably not less than 25,000. The new towns are generally peopled by emigrants from the old states, who appear to be sufficiently aware of the value of orderly and liberal institutions, and have made due provision for their establishment and maintenance. They acknowledge the necessity of the immediate construction of roads and other improvements, at the public expense; the establishment of a generous system of common education; and the enactment of laws founded on those principles of justice and benevolence which distinguish the general codes of the several members of the federal Union.

At a late session of the territorial legislature, the capital of the state was located at Salem, on the River Willamette. Acts also were passed for the establishment of a penitentiary at Portland, and a university at Marysville.

The time cannot be very remote, when Oregon will be united, by a direct chain of intercommunication, with all the states and territories lying between the Rocky Mountains and the equally rocky strand of the Atlantic Ocean. Already, in fact, the work may be said to have advanced half way towards completion. The Great Northern Route, so called, embraces a cordon of railroads, to extend from Boston and New York to Dubuque, in Iowa; a great portion of the line being finished and in travelling order, and the residue in a state of forwardness. This line runs directly west upon, or very near, the parallel of 42° north latitude, scarcely varying a whole degree in its entire course, thus far, of over 1100 miles. From Boston and New York to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, this route has long been in active operation. Some few curves between Syracuse and Buffalo are to be overcome by a rectilinear section, which will be continued beyond the Falls, through the southern portion of Canada West, to Detroit, in Michigan. From the latter point, the Michigan Central Railroad now extends across that state, and around the southern margin of Lake Michigan, to Chicago; thence the line is to proceed to Dubuque, traversing the northern boundary of Illinois, and crossing to the western shore of the Mississippi. Here, however, it cannot be stayed. The Iowa Central Railroad will take up the work, and carry it to the borders of Nebraska. At this last terminus, only, is any obstacle to be apprehended that cannot be quickly removed by the enterprise of the surrounding population. It becomes a national duty, then, to extend the work through that desolate wilderness, until it shall touch the southern boundary of Oregon, in the same latitude of 42°. California and Oregon will then consummate the enterprise; thus securing a direct and uninterrupted connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, across the body of the continent; and interjoining, by an imperishable belt of union, the inhabitants and the interests of the eastern and western extremes of this vast confederacy.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States (1854) by Thomas Baldwin

Most Common Surnames in Oregon

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith32,9071:1291.14%1
2Johnson27,2641:1551.24%2
3Brown19,9971:2121.13%4
4Miller19,1101:2211.40%7
5Anderson17,7631:2381.75%8
6Jones16,7441:2531.01%5
7Williams16,0991:2630.84%3
8Davis15,6591:2701.12%6
9Wilson12,5511:3371.29%9
10Thompson10,4511:4051.33%20
11Nelson10,2801:4111.92%39
12Taylor10,1531:4171.13%11
13Martin10,0331:4221.22%17
14Clark9,8531:4291.37%22
15Moore9,4881:4461.10%13
16White9,4851:4461.17%18
17Lee9,2851:4561.11%15
18Thomas8,0681:5240.93%12
19Peterson7,9881:5302.19%59
20Baker7,8571:5381.46%36
21Nguyen7,5561:5601.87%53
22Harris7,5271:5620.98%21
23Allen7,5011:5641.20%28
24Hall7,4431:5681.20%30
25Garcia7,4071:5710.82%10
26Lewis7,0851:5971.10%25
27Adams7,0271:6021.27%34
28Young7,0021:6041.17%31
29Walker6,9321:6101.09%26
30Jackson6,9301:6100.83%16
31Scott6,8471:6181.28%38
32Hill6,7571:6261.24%35
33Wright6,4811:6531.17%33
34King6,3901:6621.14%32
35Olson6,3641:6652.95%135
36Campbell6,1491:6881.25%41
37Martinez5,9881:7060.74%19
38Roberts5,7441:7361.21%43
39Lopez5,7351:7380.86%24
40Cook5,6071:7541.42%56
41Hernandez5,5891:7570.78%23
42Phillips5,5011:7691.25%47
43Green5,4701:7731.02%37
44Wood5,2981:7981.58%69
45Rodriguez5,2641:8040.62%14
46Morris5,1551:8211.29%55
47Parker5,1341:8241.23%51
48Evans5,0801:8331.12%46
49Rogers5,0701:8341.32%57
50Morgan5,0051:8451.37%60
51Robinson4,9611:8530.79%27
52Hansen4,9381:8572.63%174
53Mitchell4,8181:8781.06%45
54Bennett4,7491:8911.46%74
55Carter4,7261:8950.97%42
56Jensen4,6921:9022.98%229
57Cox4,6521:9091.35%67
58Edwards4,6371:9121.09%49
59Stewart4,6361:9121.15%54
60Larson4,5981:9202.74%213
61Turner4,4791:9441.05%48
62Cooper4,4061:9601.21%61
63Fisher4,3481:9731.57%94
64Russell4,3191:9791.56%95
65Myers4,2411:9971.45%84
66Bailey4,2371:9981.18%64
67Reed4,1421:1,0211.19%66
68Gonzalez4,1081:1,0300.66%29
69Gray4,1041:1,0311.28%75
70Foster4,0681:1,0401.38%81
71Carlson3,9591:1,0682.34%207
72Murphy3,8961:1,0861.01%58
73Sanchez3,8501:1,0990.81%44
74Bell3,8111:1,1101.06%62
75Howard3,7951:1,1151.14%70
76Hanson3,7611:1,1252.52%242
77Ward3,7511:1,1281.14%71
78Long3,7071:1,1411.29%87
79Johnston3,6931:1,1452.09%193
80Ross3,6581:1,1561.24%80
81Hamilton3,6541:1,1581.40%102
82Stevens3,6181:1,1691.53%119
83Perez3,5821:1,1810.67%40
84Ramirez3,5601:1,1880.86%52
85West3,5391:1,1951.38%104
86Graham3,4901:1,2121.35%103
87James3,4481:1,2271.14%79
88Reynolds3,4241:1,2351.34%105
89Hughes3,4111:1,2401.12%78
90Rose3,3831:1,2501.69%156
91Barnes3,3631:1,2581.20%89
92Ellis3,3391:1,2671.37%115
93McDonald3,3211:1,2741.42%122
94Meyer3,3061:1,2791.58%142
95Sullivan3,2871:1,2871.12%83
96Kelly3,2761:1,2910.99%72
97Cole3,2741:1,2921.29%109
98Watson3,2651:1,2961.02%76
99Schmidt3,2211:1,3131.63%160
100Richardson3,1791:1,3311.01%77
101Wallace3,1721:1,3341.25%110
102Palmer3,1221:1,3551.58%159
103Brooks3,1061:1,3620.95%73
104Christensen3,1011:1,3643.00%372
105Hunt3,0811:1,3731.53%152
106Wagner3,0781:1,3741.47%139
107Henderson3,0611:1,3821.12%99
108Tran3,0571:1,3841.73%194
109Snyder3,0561:1,3841.47%144
110Flores3,0241:1,3990.84%63
111Price3,0161:1,4021.03%86
112Powell3,0031:1,4091.09%97
113Rice2,9941:1,4131.57%169
114Patterson2,9911:1,4141.17%107
115Elliott2,9891:1,4151.67%189
116Gibson2,9761:1,4211.24%117
117Erickson2,9661:1,4262.63%327
118Butler2,9171:1,4501.03%88
119Hayes2,9091:1,4541.18%114
120Fox2,8971:1,4601.41%147
121Alexander2,8801:1,4691.10%101
122Hart2,8611:1,4781.59%186
123Pierce2,8541:1,4821.63%199
124Marshall2,8401:1,4891.25%128
125Wells2,8381:1,4901.28%130
126Gardner2,8321:1,4941.50%173
126Perry2,8321:1,4941.03%98
128Sanders2,8231:1,4981.01%90
129Warren2,7911:1,5161.45%165
130Porter2,7801:1,5221.38%153
131Robertson2,7561:1,5351.43%163
132Kim2,7501:1,5380.98%91
133Peters2,7391:1,5441.56%198
134Kennedy2,7061:1,5631.19%129
135Davidson2,6631:1,5881.89%261
136Wheeler2,6391:1,6031.64%225
137Burns2,6201:1,6141.18%131
138Freeman2,6141:1,6181.21%133
139Ferguson2,6031:1,6251.35%166
140Ford2,5941:1,6311.10%121
140Harrison2,5941:1,6311.10%120
142Woods2,5871:1,6351.17%132
143Hoffman2,5851:1,6361.40%178
144Mills2,5791:1,6401.35%171
145Shaw2,5771:1,6411.23%143
146Richards2,5701:1,6461.55%217
147Duncan2,5601:1,6521.43%187
148Stone2,5531:1,6571.28%157
149Simpson2,5321:1,6711.24%149
150Jordan2,5261:1,6751.00%108
150Murray2,5261:1,6751.09%124
152Simmons2,5081:1,6870.98%106
153Dunn2,5051:1,6891.32%172
154Coleman2,4921:1,6970.89%92
155Torres2,4891:1,6990.70%65
156Armstrong2,4561:1,7221.40%196
157Olsen2,4491:1,7273.01%497
158Tucker2,4391:1,7341.16%140
159Swanson2,4211:1,7472.27%355
160Carpenter2,3831:1,7751.42%212
161Stephens2,3771:1,7801.30%180
162Gordon2,3581:1,7941.10%136
163Black2,3501:1,8001.14%145
164Webb2,3401:1,8081.10%137
165Larsen2,3291:1,8162.95%512
166Mason2,3281:1,8171.15%151
167Petersen2,3241:1,8202.92%507
168Spencer2,3081:1,8331.33%201
169Ryan2,3061:1,8341.21%170
170Boyd2,2941:1,8441.14%154
171Perkins2,2921:1,8461.42%226
172Chapman2,2651:1,8681.36%215
173Henry2,2311:1,8961.06%138
174Cunningham2,2201:1,9051.26%197
175Nichols2,2141:1,9111.19%177
176Jenkins2,2101:1,9140.81%100
177Kelley2,2081:1,9161.22%185
178Bishop2,1891:1,9321.43%234
179Griffin2,1741:1,9460.86%111
180Morrison2,1651:1,9541.38%231
181Lane2,1581:1,9601.28%208
182Curtis2,1571:1,9611.63%280
183Arnold2,1511:1,9661.15%175
184Cruz2,1481:1,9690.77%93
185Bates2,1431:1,9741.74%294
186Owens2,1401:1,9770.94%127
187Holmes2,1281:1,9881.11%168
188Fuller2,1211:1,9941.50%259
189Knight2,1101:2,0051.23%206
190Hunter2,1091:2,0061.06%158
191Andrews2,1071:2,0081.18%190
192Weaver2,0951:2,0191.19%195
193Payne2,0741:2,0391.17%191
194Mendoza2,0731:2,0401.08%164
195Keller2,0721:2,0411.55%274
196Schneider2,0641:2,0491.46%258
197Berry2,0631:2,0501.17%192
198Day2,0601:2,0531.45%256
199Becker2,0551:2,0581.63%287
200Weber2,0481:2,0651.38%244
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith2,3851:730.38%1
2Miller1,3081:1340.47%6
3Johnson1,2351:1410.32%2
4Brown1,0561:1650.30%3
5Jones8761:1990.28%5
6Wilson8041:2170.43%8
7Williams7791:2240.24%4
8Davis7591:2300.30%7
9Taylor6571:2660.39%9
10Thompson5621:3110.36%13
11Clark5431:3220.32%10
12Baker5051:3460.45%25
13Martin4921:3550.33%15
14Moore4911:3560.31%12
15Anderson4891:3570.33%17
16Lewis4561:3830.38%22
17White4511:3870.28%11
18Allen4451:3930.37%21
19Thomas4411:3960.30%16
20Scott4311:4050.41%29
21Wright4231:4130.40%26
22Roberts4151:4210.52%39
23Hall4111:4250.34%20
24Parker4011:4360.50%37
25Walker4001:4370.34%23
26Harris3711:4710.29%18
27Young3581:4880.31%24
28Morgan3551:4920.55%53
29Morris3531:4950.51%46
30Jackson3521:4960.24%14
31Campbell3461:5050.40%34
32Reed3421:5110.45%42
33Richardson3341:5230.57%64
34Adams3281:5330.34%31
35Wood3261:5360.41%38
36Howard3241:5390.52%56
37Cox3221:5430.54%57
38Cook3211:5440.37%33
39Powell3131:5580.73%106
40King3051:5730.29%27
41Hill3011:5810.29%28
42Gray2971:5880.50%61
43Cooper2941:5940.49%60
44Stewart2871:6090.40%45
45Ward2861:6110.43%50
46Carter2781:6290.34%36
47Nelson2751:6350.40%47
48Fisher2701:6470.40%49
49Robinson2681:6520.26%30
50Porter2471:7070.55%95
51Patterson2451:7130.49%75
52Graham2431:7190.52%88
53Lee2421:7220.29%35
53Robertson2421:7220.67%142
55Foster2411:7250.41%62
56Wallace2401:7280.54%97
56Green2401:7280.20%19
58Turner2391:7310.30%40
58Simmons2391:7310.62%123
60Long2301:7600.38%58
61Hamilton2281:7660.47%80
62Murphy2271:7700.24%32
63Watson2261:7730.38%63
64Davidson2251:7770.91%211
65McDonald2191:7980.42%72
66Simpson2161:8090.57%127
66Henderson2161:8090.43%77
68Myers2081:8400.36%65
69Evans2061:8480.28%43
70Kelly2051:8520.28%44
71Wells2041:8570.44%92
72Elliott2031:8610.71%180
73Stevens1981:8830.42%85
74Welch1971:8870.49%115
74Peterson1971:8870.40%79
76Stephens1951:8960.62%165
77Chapman1941:9010.56%151
78Bailey1931:9050.35%66
79Bennett1911:9150.36%70
79Cole1911:9150.37%73
81Hughes1901:9200.41%89
81Warren1901:9200.53%143
83Edwards1861:9390.28%52
84Collins1841:9500.24%41
85Palmer1831:9550.44%110
86Savage1821:9601.45%490
86Tucker1821:9600.47%124
88Ross1811:9650.36%76
89McCoy1801:9710.80%235
90Perkins1781:9820.49%139
91Spencer1771:9870.52%155
91Howell1771:9870.77%234
93Gibson1741:1,0040.42%111
94Wheeler1731:1,0100.44%120
95Phillips1721:1,0160.29%59
96Rice1711:1,0220.37%91
97Price1701:1,0280.31%67
98James1641:1,0650.33%78
98Hunter1641:1,0650.40%113
100Rogers1631:1,0720.26%55
101Riggs1621:1,0791.94%751
101Crawford1621:1,0790.41%117
103Butler1591:1,0990.30%71
103Wagner1591:1,0990.51%166
103Russell1591:1,0990.34%86
103Barker1591:1,0990.66%219
107Montgomery1561:1,1200.61%199
108Bell1551:1,1270.23%51
109Kirk1541:1,1351.16%465
109Wade1541:1,1350.69%239
111Mitchell1511:1,1570.24%54
112Nichols1501:1,1650.43%146
113West1491:1,1730.32%90
114Berry1481:1,1810.40%135
114Kennedy1481:1,1810.36%114
116Perry1461:1,1970.31%87
117Woods1431:1,2220.39%134
118Powers1401:1,2480.49%183
119Kelley1391:1,2570.29%82
120Hunt1371:1,2750.32%102
120May1371:1,2750.52%194
122Brooks1361:1,2850.25%68
122Reynolds1361:1,2850.28%81
124Alexander1351:1,2940.32%105
124Morrison1351:1,2940.47%174
126Lane1341:1,3040.38%145
127Armstrong1331:1,3140.35%129
127Hays1331:1,3140.54%212
127Gardner1331:1,3140.36%136
130Watkins1321:1,3240.52%204
131Ray1291:1,3550.44%170
132Riley1271:1,3760.29%104
132Wolf1271:1,3760.44%173
134Briggs1261:1,3870.62%260
134Hubbard1261:1,3870.63%272
136Warner1241:1,4090.43%175
136Gilbert1241:1,4090.43%176
136Barnes1241:1,4090.26%83
136Harvey1241:1,4090.49%203
140Shaw1231:1,4210.28%103
141Goodman1221:1,4320.95%478
142Owens1211:1,4440.35%150
142Richards1211:1,4440.38%160
144Hanson1201:1,4560.47%200
145Mason1191:1,4680.27%101
145Holman1191:1,4681.75%935
145Harrison1191:1,4680.27%100
145Hale1191:1,4680.57%251
149Graves1181:1,4810.48%213
149Rose1181:1,4810.38%167
149Chambers1181:1,4810.54%243
152Payne1171:1,4940.41%180
153Potter1161:1,5060.49%221
153Burns1161:1,5060.23%74
153Sanders1161:1,5060.27%108
156Black1151:1,5190.29%121
156Weaver1151:1,5190.31%131
156Fox1151:1,5190.29%118
156Mathews1151:1,5190.39%171
156Baldwin1151:1,5190.45%207
161Newman1131:1,5460.51%240
161Parrish1131:1,5461.82%1,038
161Knight1131:1,5460.40%185
164Stone1111:1,5740.28%116
164Holmes1111:1,5740.30%132
164Freeman1111:1,5740.32%148
167Pierce1101:1,5890.30%133
167Manning1101:1,5890.67%350
167Robbins1101:1,5890.62%318
167Caldwell1101:1,5890.55%263
171Marshall1091:1,6030.28%125
171Ellis1091:1,6030.24%94
171Wilcox1091:1,6030.57%283
171Starr1091:1,6031.70%999
171Arnold1091:1,6030.30%140
176Unknown1081:1,61883.72%29,048
177Mills1071:1,6330.29%138
177Vaughn1071:1,6330.61%324
177Ball1071:1,6330.47%236
177Shelton1071:1,6330.69%385
181George1061:1,6480.45%222
181Neal1061:1,6480.58%306
183Gordon1051:1,6640.37%178
183Booth1051:1,6640.74%425
183Ryan1051:1,6640.20%69
186Duncan1041:1,6800.37%186
186Hyde1041:1,6801.10%664
186Thornton1041:1,6800.57%304
189Hayes1031:1,6970.33%164
189Day1031:1,6970.33%163
189Murray1031:1,6970.27%128
192Applegate1021:1,7132.51%1,594
193Hess1011:1,7300.62%357
194Dunn1001:1,7470.24%109
194Bryant1001:1,7470.29%147
194Russel1001:1,7470.92%571
194Baxter1001:1,7470.75%456
194Haines1001:1,7470.82%505
194Andrews1001:1,7470.30%154
194Stanley1001:1,7470.64%377