About the WVGS
"The purpose of the Willamette Valley Genealogical Society is to create, encourage, and foster a popular interest in genealogy."
WVGS Mission Statement
Our mission
The Willamette Valley Genealogical Society exists to preserve, research, and share the rich genealogical heritage of the Willamette Valley region. We are committed to providing resources, education, and community support to help individuals discover and document their family histories.
Through our extensive collection of records, educational programs, and collaborative research efforts, we strive to make genealogical research accessible and rewarding for everyone, from beginners to experienced researchers.
Founded in 1968 by a small group of passion and geologists, the Willamette Valley Genealogical Society began with this information: to help people discover their roots and preserve the history of families who settled in the Willamette Valley.
Over the decades, our society has grown from a handful of members meeting in living rooms to a thriving organization with nearly a hundred members and an extensive research library of over 5,000 genealogical reference books. We’ve published a quarterly bulletin for nearly 60 years, compiled and digitized historical records, hosted local workshops, and helped hundreds of individuals trace their family trees.
Today we continue to honor our founding mission while embracing modern technology and research methods. Our archives include census records, vital statistics, cemetery records, newspaper clippings, and family histories spanning over two centuries of Willamette Valley history.