[or-roots] New database of Early Oregonians added to State Archives website

[Layne G SAWYER]

Dear OR-Rooters,

As we wind down Oregon's sesquicentennial year the State Archives is
adding a new database to the website.
A copy of the press release is found below.  I know many of you may
find ancestors listed in this database and will most likely have
additional information you may want to share, and perhaps you will find
a few tidbits as well.  All of the planned features are not yet
available but we hope to have those added by the end of this year or
early 2010.

The two links at the very bottom of the message provide additional
information about the project and an Frequently Asked Questions page as
well.

I look forward to your feed back.

Layne Sawyer
"List Mom"
Oregon State Archives



As a legacy to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Oregon’s
statehood, the Oregon State Archives announces the launch of the Early
Oregonians Database on their website. 



https://secure.sos.state.or.us/prs/personProfileSearch.do?earlyOregonian=true&searchReset=true


This extensively researched resource uses data from census, death,
probate, and other records to help researchers find relevant information
and documents about people who lived in Oregon prior to statehood.
Volunteers at the Archives have worked on this project for more than
five years.  The database currently contains over 105,500 entries for
individuals who lived in Oregon prior to statehood. Because of limits on
available records and documentation, the project can be defined to
include people living in Oregon from 1800 to 1860. 

The foundation of information in the database is based on data
extracted from the 1850 and 1860 censuses for Oregon.  Volunteers have
created profiles of individuals that capture information about their
parents, spouses, and birth and death information.  When possible
additional information from records in the Archives holdings and other
published sources have been used to provide more complete or accurate
information.  Various records from the Oregon State Archives such as
probate records, death certificates, and marriage records were searched
to identify individuals who appeared to meet the criteria. As additional
features of the database become functional, researchers will be able to
view a list of records associated with a particular individual that are
part of the Oregon State Archives holdings and request copies.
 

Despite the fact that large populations of Native Americans lived in
the Oregon Country prior to 1840, documentation of those individuals is
scant and not readily available. Because of this, Native Americans
presented a special challenge. Currently the database includes close to
3,500 individuals of Native American descent. Information on Native
Americans that lived into the twentieth century can be problematic as
well. Project volunteers are beginning to work on the Indian censuses
compiled for the various reservations between 1885 and 1940 with the
goal of incorporating more information and individuals in the project
over time.    

Further review and editing will result in additional entries when
evidence supports inclusion in the database. If you have documentation
you would like to contribute to the Early Oregonians Database, please
contact the Archives staff at the email below:

Early.Oregonians at state.or.us 

A more detailed description of the project and an FAQ are available at
the links below

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/eo_overview.html 

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/eo_faqs.html