Genealogical Forum of Oregon

Genealogical Forum of Oregon The GFO exists to promote genealogy and to provide genealogical education, to preserve and provide g Many online resources continue online.

The library has reopened and is now available to on-site patrons. Members can access subscription databases from home like Fold3, American Ancestors, HeritageQuest Online, and HistoryGeo. Volunteers will look up information for you from Newspapers.com, FindMyPast, and any of the books or microfilms in our library. There are many Special Interest Groups that are free to attend - now all online - DNA, Writers' Room, Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic, African American, British, German, Italian, Virginia, Illinois, and Genealogy Problem Solvers. Our monthly meetings, GenTalks feature a speaker and an interesting research subject, and are also free to attend. The complete schedule can be found on our website www.gfo.org.

DNA Q&A: THE BASICS - Our next online meeting is Nov. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. (PT) Registration information can be found her...
11/17/2025

DNA Q&A: THE BASICS - Our next online meeting is Nov. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. (PT) Registration information can be found here:
http://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/dna-qa.html

�This meeting is for those who are just beginning to use DNA testing for genealogy. Each class begins with a presentation of general information about DNA testing. General questions regarding DNA testing are welcome following the planned discussion. Lisa McCullough leads this group.

http://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/dna-qa.html

Learn about DNA for genealogy in this regular meeting to take your questions.

Please join THE WRITERS’ ROOM: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Nov. 16 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT).  Contact wri...
11/14/2025

Please join THE WRITERS’ ROOM: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Nov. 16 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT).
Contact writers@gfo.org for questions.

This is a peer group of genealogists, who meet to learn about writing and to share our writing with each other. Please join us and tell your friends. It’s free and open to the public.

The Writers’ Room special interest group meets online on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT), January through November.

The GFO's Writer's Room Special Interest Group (SIG) is here to help you hone your genealogical and family history writing skills.

Please join our AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov.a 15 t Noon (PT). Register her...
11/13/2025

Please join our AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov.a 15 t Noon (PT). Register here:
https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/african-american.html

�If you know of any other people interested in African American genealogy tell them about the group. They don't have to be a GFO member to participate.
Please join us. It’s free and open to the public.

No meetings in June ever.

https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/african-american.html

Explore African American ancestry in our regular GFO African American Special Interest Group meetings.

Please join our AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov. 15 at Noon (PT). Register her...
11/13/2025

Please join our AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov. 15 at Noon (PT). Register here: https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/african-american.html
�If you know of any other people interested in African American genealogy tell them about the group. They don't have to be a GFO member to participate. Please join us. It’s free and open to the public.

No meetings in June ever.

https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/african-american.html

Explore African American ancestry in our regular GFO African American Special Interest Group meetings.

Please join our GENEALOGY PROBLEM SOLVERS GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (...
11/13/2025

Please join our GENEALOGY PROBLEM SOLVERS GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (PT).

Our research question this month takes us back to Colonial Pennsylvania. In the mid-1820s, our German immigrants left eastern Pennsylvania and ended up in Wayne County, Ohio. The rapidly evolving county boundaries, coupled with the Markel family's mobility, made this a challenge. Please join us as we tackle a brick wall our GFO member's family has spent decades researching.

Register to attend here: https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/genealogy-problem-solvers-gps.html

We will learn to do a reasonably exhaustive search and develop research plans. The focus will shift depending on the needs of the group. Several experienced researchers have volunteered to help. Beginners and intermediate researchers are encouraged to submit problems to work on. Please join us and tell your friends. It’s free and open to the public.

To attend, register here. Contact Katie Daly with questions.

https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/genealogy-problem-solvers-gps.html

The GFO's Genealogy Problem Solvers research one of your family tree brick walls and bring back lessons for everyone.

Please join our GENEALOGY PROBLEM SOLVERS GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (P...
11/13/2025

Please join our GENEALOGY PROBLEM SOLVERS GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (PT). Register to attend here:
https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/genealogy-problem-solvers-gps.html

We will learn to do a reasonably exhaustive search and develop research plans. The focus will shift depending on the needs of the group. Several experienced researchers have volunteered to help. Beginners and intermediate researchers are encouraged to submit problems to work on. Please join us and tell your friends. It’s free and open to the public.

Contact Katie Daly with questions.

https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/genealogy-problem-solvers-gps.html

The GFO's Genealogy Problem Solvers research one of your family tree brick walls and bring back lessons for everyone.

Please join our Q REVIEW GROUP: Our next online meeting is Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. (PT). Go to our GFO SIG web page ...
11/11/2025

Please join our Q REVIEW GROUP: Our next online meeting is Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. (PT). Go to our GFO SIG web page at https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/the-q-review.html for meeting registration information.

This is a "book club" of sorts to discuss a different National Genealogical Society Quarterly article each month. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced genealogist; this group will help you learn about new techniques and resources while enjoying fascinating stories!

https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/the-q-review.html

The Q Review is an online NGSQ Discussion Group coming to talk about a different National Genealogical Society Quarterly article each month.

Join us for the GFO Online Fall Seminar "From the Indian Wars to Taxes: Military and Other Federal Records" as presented...
11/06/2025

Join us for the GFO Online Fall Seminar "From the Indian Wars to Taxes: Military and Other Federal Records" as presented by Michael Strauss, AG. Saturday, Nov 8th from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (PT). $55 https://gfo.org/seminar for details and registration.

Please join our LEARN & CHAT GROUP: Our next online meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 10a.m. to Noon. (PT). Register for...
11/03/2025

Please join our LEARN & CHAT GROUP: Our next online meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 10a.m. to Noon. (PT). Register for this online SIG meeting at
https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/learn-chat.html

Moderator Sandy Alto describes “Learn and Chat” as a “genealogy support group”. Please bring tales of your latest genealogy adventures and frustrations and a wish list of subjects to build our calendar. Attendees are of all experience levels. Please join us and tell your friends. It’s free and open to the public.

No Learn & Chat SIG meetings will be held in July and August.

https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/learn-chat.html

Have general genealogy questions? The GFO's Learn & Chat group is a great place to start.

Please join our ROOTSMAGIC SIG: Our next online meeting is Monday,  Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. (PT). Go to our GFO SIG web page a...
11/01/2025

Please join our ROOTSMAGIC SIG: Our next online meeting is Monday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. (PT). Go to our GFO SIG web page at https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/rootsmagic.html for meeting registration information.

A special forum for users of the RootsMagic genealogy software. Our goal is to learn and help others through live demonstrations and discussions about how the software can be utilized to support individual research.

https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/rootsmagic.html

A GFO Special Interest Group (SIG) on the RootsMagic genealogy database desktop software program.

Pacific Northwest GenealogyPlease join our PACIFIC NORTHWEST GENEALOGY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Nov.  2...
10/31/2025

Pacific Northwest Genealogy

Please join our PACIFIC NORTHWEST GENEALOGY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Nov. 2from 5:30 p.m. (PT). Register for this online SIG meeting at https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/pnwsig.html

Facilitated by Kenith Fritsche. The Pacific Northwest (PNW) has a unique history, from hosting the most culturally diverse indigenous populations in the United States, to supporting the arrival of tens of thousands of Oregon Trail settlers, and cultivating the boom years of the Silicon Forest. The PNW region is a special collection of ethnicities, people, and culture that deserves to be studied and learned about.

Please join us by Zoom on the first Sunday of every month to discuss genealogy focused research topics, ideas, and project opportunities pertaining to the region.

https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/pnwsig.html

A GFO Special Interest Group (SIG) on the Pacific Northwest (PNW) area of the United States, its genealogical history, diverse population, and cultures.

GERMAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. (PT). Registration for this online S...
10/30/2025

GERMAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Nov. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. (PT). Registration for this online SIG meeting available at https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/german.html

It is intended to be a source of information and inspiration for anyone with German-speaking ancestors.
Please join us and tell your friends. It’s free and open to the public.

https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/german.html

The GFO's German Ancestry Group is here to help you find your family roots.

Address

2505 SE 11th Avenue, B-18
Portland, OR
97202

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+15039631932

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Our Story

We offer the largest genealogy library in the Pacific Northwest. 50,000 Holdings. Access to Ancestry World Edition, Fold3, Newspapers.com., Genealogy Bank, American Ancestors, HistoryGeo, and FindMyPast. Day use costs $7 for non-members. Wireless access for your computer is provided. First Monday of the month is free.

There are many Special Interest Groups that are free to attend - African-American, DNA, Writers' Forum, Family Tree Maker, British, German, Virginia, Great Lakes States, Mexican Ancestry, French Canada, and Genealogical Problem Solvers. Our monthly GenTalks which feature a speaker about family history research are also free to attend. The complete schedule can be found on our website www.gfo.org.

Parking in adjacent lots range from $2.50-$10.00 depending on length of time. License of vehicle required.