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History & Genealogy Resources

History and Genealogy information for the consumer and researcher.

Library Resources

15 Minute Histories
43 digitized fifteen minute interviews of early Central Oregon pioneers originally recorded by Kessler Cannon with KBND in 1953.
Ancestry Library Edition
Answers await everyone—whether professional or hobbyist, expert or novice, genealogist or historian—inside the more than 7,000 available databases. Here, you can unlock the story of you with sources like censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos, maps, and more.
Biography in Context
A comprehensive database of biographical information on more than 180,000 people from throughout history, around the world, and across all disciplines and subject areas.
Gale Courses
Sign up for Genealogy Basics to learn where to look, who to contact, and how to use research tools to begin an exciting and fascinating exploration of your roots.
HeritageQuest Online
Discover the amazing history of you with HeritageQuest Online. With more than 4.4 billion records, it delivers an essential collection of genealogical and historical sources—with coverage dating back to the 1700s—that can help you find your ancestors and discover a place’s past.
My Heritage
One of the largest, most internationally diverse genealogy databases of its kind in the world. It includes billions of historical documents from over 48 countries, millions of historical photos, public records, indexes and additional resources. Includes the Social Security Death Index.
U.S. History in Context
A complete overview of U.S. history that covers the most-studied events, issues, and current information.
America’s News
Features full text of The Bulletin (Bend) (2005 – present) and The Oregonian (Portland) (1987 – present).
Microfilm
The Downtown Bend library holds microfilm of The Bulletin from 1903 – 2014. The Redmond library holds microfilm of The Redmond Spokesman from 1910 – 2014. After 2014, the University of Oregon stopped microfilming The Bulletin and The Redmond Spokesman. To access The Bulletin articles from 2015 – present, visit America’s News. To access The Redmond Spokesman articles from 2015 – present, contact the Redmond Library.
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 University of Oregon in conjunction with the Library of Congress project Chronicling America digital newspaper project. Local newspapers include The Bulletin (Bend) (1903-1931), The Redmond Spokesman (Redmond), 1910-1914), The Nugget (Sisters), (1994-present), The La Pine Inter-Mountain, (1911-1934), The Deschutes Echo (Bend) (1902 - ?), and The Abbot Engineer (Camp Abbot / Sunriver) (1943-1944).
The Bulletin (Bend) Indexes
Searchable indexes in Adobe Acrobat, Excel, and plain text formats.

Index for 1903 – 1970

Index for 1971 – 1972

Index for 1984 – 1994

Oregon Vital Statistics
Downtown Bend Library, 2nd floor
  • Death Index, 1915-1970 (microfilm)
  • Death Index, 1961-2008 (microfiche)
  • Marriage Index (Bride & Groom), 1906-1970 (microfilm)
  • Marriage Index (Bride), 1961-2008 (microfiche)
  • Marriage Index (Groom), 1961-2008 (microfiche)
  • Divorce, 1971-2008 (microfiche)
Oregon Census Rolls, 1850-1930
Downtown Bend Library, 2nd floor (microfilm)
City of Bend’s Historic Preservation
These 3 sections are most useful:
  • A Map of Bend's Historic Resources
  • List of Local Resources Designated by the City Council
  • The National Register of Historic Places Nominations in Bend
Deschutes County Property Search Tool, D.I.A.L.
The DIAL Search Form allows you to search and locate property history from the County Assessor’s office. This page also provides a link to LAVA5, a GIS map of current property plats in Deschutes County.
Find-a-Grave: Deschutes County
From the Find-a-Grave web site.
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 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 locations. Vital records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce documents but availability is determined by Oregon Health Division's Administrative Rule 333-011.
Tombstone Transcription: Deschutes County, Oregon
From the USGenWeb research project.
Ancestry.com
Ancestry.com includes a link for genealogy lessons which provides tips to help sharpen your research skills. Use their Learning Center to explore the basic skills necessary to do genealogy research. Much of their content is only available for a fee but access it for free at the Bend LDS Family Research Center.
Cyndi's list of Genealogy sites on the Internet
One of the most comprehensive lists of genealogy websites that includes thousands of links arranged alphabetically by category.
Family Search
This free site searches through millions of digitized records from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. 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.
Find My Past
This free site has millions of US records, as well as extensive records from the United Kingdom and Ireland. FindMyPast also includes PERSI.
US GenWeb Project
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.
Bend Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
Bend Genealogical Society and Library
PO Box 8254
Bend, OR 97708-8254
P:  (541) 317-9553
Email: bgs@bendbroadband.com
BGS offers free genealogy mentoring to help beginners get started in their family history quest. Mentoring sessions are available by appointment.
Bowman Museum and Historical Society of Crook County
246 N. Main Street
Prineville, OR 97754
P:  (541) 447-3715
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Family Research Centers
Bend 1260 NE Thompson Dr
Bend, Deschutes, Oregon, United States
P:  541-382-9947
Hours: T-Th 9am-4pm; F 9am-noon by appointment only
Prineville 333 SE Idlewood
Prineville, Crook, Oregon, United States
P:  541-447-1488
Hours: Tu. 10am-7pm, Wed. 1pm-7pm, Thur. 10am-2pm, call for evening appointments.
Closed: Closed Major Holidays, July and August
Redmond 450 S Rimrock Dr
Redmond, Deschutes, Oregon, United States
P:  541-548-2436
Hours: by appointment
Closed: Closed during Thanksgiving week and the last two weeks of December.
Deschutes County Historical Society
129 NW Idaho Ave
Bend, OR 97701
P:  (541) 389-1813
Genealogical Forum of Oregon, Inc.
2505 S.E. 11th Ave., Suite B-18
Portland, OR 97202
P:  (503) 963-1932
The Forum is an all-volunteer non-profit organization founded in 1946. It maintains the largest genealogical collection between San Francisco and Seattle.
Greater Redmond Historical Society
529 SW 7th Street
Redmond, OR 97756
P:  (541)316-1777

Library Services

Obituary Requests
Submit your request for a copy of a local obituary request.
Book-a-librarian
Get help with your history and genealogy research.
Interlibrary Loan
Request materials from libraries outside of Central Oregon.

Page Last Modified Friday, April 24, 2020

Research & Learning

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Friday, September 18, 2020

The Downtown Bend Library is opening at 10 a.m.

The East Bend Library is opening at 10 a.m.

The Redmond Library is opening at 10 a.m.

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