Anyone researching in Oregon should familiarize themselves with the Early Oregonians Database at the Oregon state Archives. As part of the Oregon Public Records Database, the Early Oregonians search was a sesquicentennial project  for persons living in Oregon before statehood and through 1860. As of this writing the database lists approximately 105,500 people and they update the data quarterly. The data was compiled by volunteers and student interns and must have taken considerable time to put together for our benefit.

The Oregon State Archives used both primary and secondary sources when comprising the database. Primary sources included census records and marriage, death and probate records at the Archives.  Secondary sources were also used including family tree data from various websites.

The Early Oregonian Search allows you to search using last name, first name, gender, date range and county. The advanced search allows  you to include an alternate name, and name…