Subject Guides for Research

The Research Library has an extensive collection of vertical files that contain newspaper clippings and other items covering diverse topics, including 4,000 subjects on state and local history and 1,500 biographies and genealogies of prominent Oregonians. A project to add online catalog records for these files is underway.

This index was initially compiled as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. The Biography Card File contains references to biographical materials that were in our collection at the time, and includes information about births, deaths, marriages, divorces, etc. The majority of the references indexed are biographical reference works, the Research Library scrapbook collection, newspapers in our collection at the time, and Indian War Pension Papers filed by veterans and heirs of those who fought in the territorial Indian Wars.

Index cards were compiled by the Oregon Pioneer Association (OPA), from questionnaires completed by individuals who attended the OPA annual meetings and other meetings of the OPA. Membership in the OPA was limited to pioneers who arrived in Oregon before construction of the transcontinental railroad.

This card file indexes a collection transcribed and published by the Oregon Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), from a wide variety of sources, all dealing with Oregon genealogy.

This six-volume guide indexes the majority of land claims filed under the Donation Land Act. The guide lists the name of the claimant or the witnesses to the claim. It is a rich source for biographical information. We also have microfilmed copies of the Donation Land Claims, indexed by township, range and claimant's last name, in addition to Bureau of Land Management maps showing claims (aperture cards).

This microfiche resource indexes the Oregonian for 1851-1984, the Oregon Journal for 1902-1982, plus a scattering of other local newspapers, periodicals, and miscellaneous books. Subjects indexed pertain to Oregon, Portland, and the Pacific Northwest.