Genealogical Forum of Oregon

01/19/2026

DNA Q&A: THE BASICS - Our next online meeting is Jan. 21 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.

No structured meeting is scheduled for July and August 2025;
therefore, social media advertising is not required for these meetings.

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

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

01/18/2026

Please join THE WRITERS’ ROOM: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Jan. 18
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 3 rd Sunday of each month from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT), January through November.

01/16/2026

Please join THE WRITERS’ ROOM: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Jan. 18
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 3 rd Sunday of each month from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT), January through November.

01/15/2026

Please join our AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Jan. 17th at Noon (PT). Register here:
https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/african-american.html

Black Community Members Buried in Portland's Lone Fir Cemetery, as presented by Ruby LaBonty of the Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery.

This is a presentation on unique and historical Black members of the Portland community who are buried in Portland's historic Lone Fir Cemetery. Keeping it plain and explanatory!

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.

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

01/15/2026

Please join our GENEALOGY PROBLEM SOLVERS GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Jan. 17, 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

This month's research question begins in Missouri, as so many GPS problems with migrating ancestors do. The time frame is 1835 to 1866 - before, during, and after the Civil War. The son, James G Newton, drove mules from Missouri to Nevada, then migrated to southern Oregon, as the family lore tells, to join his father in Douglas County in 1864. But who were his parents?

Join us for the big WIN by the GPS research team!

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.

01/12/2026

Oregon Black Pioneers is excited to debut our newest online exhibit - Staking Their Claim: Black Homesteaders of Oregon. Thanks to a generous grant from the , we’ve shared the stories of the Black men and women who claimed land through the Homestead Act of 1862 all across Oregon, and we’ve now made that information available for anyone to access online. Explore this new in-depth and evolving online resource here!

https://oregonblackpioneers.org/exhibit/staking-their-claim/

01/09/2026

The December 11th meeting of The Q Review Special Interest Group is canceled.
See you in the new year!

01/03/2026

Please join our ROOTSMAGIC SIG: Our next online meeting is Monday, Jan. 5 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

01/02/2026

Please join our PACIFIC NORTHWEST GENEALOGY GROUP: Our next online
meeting is Sunday, Jan, 4 from 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.

01/01/2026

GERMAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Jan. 3 from
1 to 3 p.m. (PT). Registration for this online SIG meeting is 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.

We are continuing the New Year with our meetings based on the US states that were
hubs of German immigration, even prior to statehood. January& #39;s state will be South
Dakota. Our review of the state will include resources from public records, historical
and genealogical societies, and educational organizations.
https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/german.html

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

12/31/2025

Please join our LEARN & CHAT GROUP: Our next online meeting is Wednesday,
Jan 8 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 structured Learn & Chat SIG meetings will be held in July and August 2025.
Facebook social media will NOT be needed to advertise these meetings.

Due to the holiday, the January 1st Learn & Chat SIG meeting has been moved to
January 8th. We’ll see you there! 10 a.m. (PT).
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.

12/19/2025

Please join our AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Dec. 20 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.