Genealogy
Compiled by: Alex Smiley
Library Resources
Databases
Ancestry.com - (Accessable only from in the library). More than 7,000 available databases, with sources like censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos, maps, and more.
Fold3 - features premier collections of original military records. These records include the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served in the military. Use this link to access Fold3 from JCLD. Use this link to access Fold3 remotely.
FamilySearch Affiliate Library - (Accessable only from in the library). There are only a few hundred affiliate libraries in the country. The designation means local library patrons will now have greater and more convenient access to the wealth of genealogical resources available through FamilySearch. The popular web service has over 6 billion searchable names and 2 billion images of historical genealogical records—and you get the helpful assistance of library staff.
Magazines
Family Tree - Family Tree Magazine will help point the way toward the best research tools and practices to trace your family's history. Each issue includes tips on locating, collecting, and preserving photos, letters, diaries, church and government records, and other documentation, plus fun articles about creating scrapbooks, organizing family reunions, and vacation ideas that combine history with leisure!
Family Tree UK - Learn how to trace your family tree! Every issue is packed with: family history research advice hands-on learning experiences to help you become an ancestor super-sleuth & step-by-step guides to show you the path to tracing the past. From vintage documents to the latest in DNA, we’re here to help you discover more! Get the latest in genealogy news, software, books, archives, and expert answers. Plus enjoy those reader stories that remind what it means to trace your family story. Research & remember your roots with Family Tree!
Your Family Tree Presents: Get Started in Family History - This 228-page book provides everything you need to get going in family history. It’s packed with expert advice to help you find and use your family’s records. Discover how to use the internet for your research; make the most of a visit to a record office, share your findings, and much more. Please note: This digital version of the magazine does not currently include the covermount items or content you would find on printed newsstand copies.
Your Family Tree Presents Discover your ancestor's occupation - The Discover Your Ancestor's Occupation special from Your Family Tree is the definitive guide to helping you find out more about the lives of past generations from the work they did, and how to locate the records that shed more light on them.
Newspapers
Microfilm - The Genealogy Center holds microfilm of The Madras Pioneer.
Oregon Historic Newspapers - Read full-text articles from a selective list of Oregon newspapers. Digital copies include photos, full-text searching, and printable pdf format. Created and maintained by the University of Oregon in conjunction with the Library of Congress project Chronicling America digital newspaper project.
Local and State Online Resources
Find-a-Grave: Jefferson County
Online Oregon Death Records & Indexes
A privately created and maintained site that attempts to list essential online resources for each state in one location.
Oregon Historical Sites Database
A statewide database of historical sites and buildings, including National Register sites. Search by city or county and limit the search by using such criteria as architectural style, builder, year, common property name, etc.
Oregon State Archives Vital Records
A list of vital records in the Oregon State Archives including information for City, County, State, and other Pacific Northwest record locations. Vital records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce documents but availability is determined by the Oregon Health Division's Administrative Rule 333-011.
Jefferson County Records Inventory
The inventory for Jefferson County is arranged alphabetically by series title. Each series description includes a title and description of how records are used (function); types of records included in each category (physical content); type of information found (informational content); significant changes to the format, creator, or content; inventory cut-off dates; and any access restrictions.
Record descriptions are arranged according to building location such as the State Archives or county offices; then specific storage office or vault in the building. Location information is based on the date of the inventory and is subject to change.
Tombstone Transcription: Jefferson County, Oregon
From the USGenWeb research project.
Genealogy Web Sites
Ancestry is a subscription service offering extensive resources for researching family history including databases containing billions of digitized historical documents, message boards, educational materials, and family trees contributed by individual researchers. Use their Ancestry Academy to explore videos outlining the basic skills necessary to do genealogy research, how to get the most out of Ancestry, and other research guides. Much of their content is only available for a fee but access it for free at the Redmond, Prineville, or Bend LDS Family Research Centers.
Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet
One of the most comprehensive lists of genealogy websites that include thousands of links arranged alphabetically by category.
A learning platform for genealogy, offering a comprehensive yet focused approach to help you achieve your goals. As a free website, it caters to beginners and experienced researchers alike, providing step-by-step guidance to make a real difference in your family history journey. Their mission is to greatly increase the number of people actively involved in family history worldwide, and to make everyone's family history journey easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable.
This free genealogical resource from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contains over four billion names. The site also offers extensive genealogical help for beginners, with many useful videos and tips. FamilySearch is also a great place to build your own family tree after you create a free account.
This site has millions of US records, as well as extensive records from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Like Ancestry, much of their content is only available for a fee but free access is available at local LDS Family Research Centers.
Features premier collections of original military records. These records include the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served in the military. Owned by Ancestry.com. Free and fee-based memberships are available, and access is also available using the links listed above in the Library Resources Databases section.
A selection of links for how to do genealogical research, genealogy resources around the world, and searchable databases.
The USGenWeb project consists of a large group of volunteers working together to provide Internet websites for genealogical research in every county and every state in the United States. It is a non-commercial project and access is free to everyone.
Local Organizations
Bend Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
For 125 years, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution have dedicated themselves to the promotion of patriotism, the preservation of American history, and the encouragement of education for future generations.
Bend Genealogical Society and Library
PO Box 8254
Bend, OR 97708-8254
Phone: (541) 317-9553
Email: bgs@bendbroadband.com
Free monthly programs are held on the third Tuesday of the month, September through May. Their library has over 2,000 genealogy books and journals for research on nearly all US States and many countries around the world.
Bowman Museum and Historical Society of Crook County
246 N. Main Street
Prineville, OR 97754
Phone: (541) 447-3715
The Crook County Genealogical Society is merged with the Crook County Historical Society and has a research library with a focus on Crook County Oregon's local history and genealogy.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family Research Centers
- Bend
1260 NE Thompson Dr.
Bend, Oregon 97701
Phone: 541-382-9947
Email: OR_Bend@familyhistorymail.org
Hours: Tue 9 am - 4 pm; Wed 9 am - 4 pm; Thu 9 am - 12:30 pm; For an appointment of Fri, Sat or evenings, call (541) 633-0508 in advance.
Closed: First Saturday in April and October.
- Prineville
333 SE Idlewood St.
Prineville, Oregon 97754
Phone: 541-447-1488
Email: or_prineville@familyhistorymail.org
Hours: Wed 3 pm - 7 pm. To make an appointment, please call (541) 771-1079 in advance.
Closed: July, August, and the week of Thanksgiving. Closed December except by appointment.
- Redmond
450 S Rimrock Dr.
Redmond, Oregon, 97756
Phone: 541-548-2436
Email: OR_Redmond@familyhistorymail.org
Hours: Tue 10 am - 1:30 by appointment, Wed 10 am - 1:30 pm. To make an appointment for other times, please contact the center in advance. If no answer, call Peggy Sorrell (435) 757-1651
Closed: Thanksgiving week and the last two weeks of December.
Deschutes County Historical Society and Museum
129 NW Idaho Ave
Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 389-1813
Hours: (Library) Tue - Sat 10 am - 4:30 pm.
In their library, you can research their photo archives, genealogy files, copies of The Bend Bulletin (1917-2005); and more. General admission rates apply to research in the library.
Genealogical Forum of Oregon, Inc.
2505 S.E. 11th Ave., Suite B-18
Portland, OR 97202
Phone: (503) 963-1932
The Forum is an all-volunteer non-profit organization founded in 1946. It maintains the largest genealogical collection in the Northwest, with over 52,000 holdings.
Jefferson County Historical Society
PO Box 647
Madras, OR 97741
Phone: (541) 475-5390
Oregon Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)
Contact information for the High Desert Chapter (Bend) is available under their "Chapters" menu.
Last Updated: September 2023