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.
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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.

Please join our AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Mar 21 at Noon (PT) and it's part ...
03/19/2026

Please join our AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Mar 21 at Noon (PT) and it's part of our GFO Open House!.

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.

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 onlinemeeting is Saturday, Mar 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (PT)...
03/19/2026

Please join our GENEALOGY PROBLEM SOLVERS GROUP: Our next online
meeting is Saturday, Mar 21 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.

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.

DNA Q&A: THE BASICS - Our next online meeting is Mar 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. (PT) Registration information can be found here...
03/16/2026

DNA Q&A: THE BASICS - Our next online meeting is Mar 18 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.

Join us for a beginning genealogy class - free - as part of open house. More information at
03/14/2026

Join us for a beginning genealogy class - free - as part of open house. More information at

Genealogy Open House for 2026 with 16 free classes. Come join us!

Please join THE WRITERS’ ROOM: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Mar 15, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT). Contact wr...
03/13/2026

Please join THE WRITERS’ ROOM: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Mar 15, 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.

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

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon is pleased to host our annual Open House this month, from March 14 through 22.This year...
03/12/2026

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon is pleased to host our annual Open House this month, from March 14 through 22.

This year’s Open House features 18 classes across a wide variety of interests, tours and orientation of the Pacific Northwest's largest genealogical library, and individualized research help. Most of the events will be hybrid -- come in-person or participate online!

* The GFO library will be open every day with no day-use fee

* We will be hosting in-person tours of the library -- and, the same tour will be presented online on Saturday, March 21.

Registration and details can be found at https://gfo.org/openhouse

Genealogy Open House for 2026 with 16 free classes. Come join us!

Please join our Q REVIEW GROUP: Our next online meeting is Thursday, Mar 12at 6 p.m. (PT). Go to our GFO SIG web page at...
03/11/2026

Please join our Q REVIEW GROUP: Our next online meeting is Thursday, Mar 12
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!

To register, visit The Q Review SIG web page at 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.

Please join our PACIFIC NORTHWEST GENEALOGY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Mar 15 from 5:30 p.m. (PT). Regist...
03/10/2026

Please join our PACIFIC NORTHWEST GENEALOGY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Sunday, Mar 15 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.

GERMAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Mar 7 from1 to 3 p.m. (PT). Registration for this online SIG...
03/05/2026

GERMAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Mar 7 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.

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

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

GERMAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Mar 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. (PT). Registration for this online SI...
03/05/2026

GERMAN ANCESTRY GROUP: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Mar 7 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

At our March 7th meeting will be all about providing some history, resources, and websites that will be very helpful in our review of this month's topic state, Michigan. These monthly state discussions show just how influential the German immigrant has been to the growth and development of the US, as well as providing ways to trace the paper trail we need for identifying our German ancestors.

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.

Please join VIRGINIA ROOTS & VINES: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Mar 7 from 10 a.m. to Noon. (PT). Registra...
03/05/2026

Please join VIRGINIA ROOTS & VINES: Our next online meeting is Saturday, Mar 7 from 10 a.m. to Noon. (PT). Registration available at https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/virginia.html

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Virginia, the birthplace of the United States - the first permanent British settlement, the birthplace of several presidents. Two more states were created from Virginia, and several more created from land ceded to the new government. The Great Wagon Road and the Wilderness Road – key routes to open and settle the country- ran through Virginia. In our meetings, we discuss all this and look at how to research in this difficult state.
Please join us and tell your friends. It’s free and open to the public.
https://gfo.org/learn/special-interest-groups/virginia.html

The GFO Virginia Roots and Vines is here to help you trace your roots to the earliest days of the settlement.

Please join our ROOTSMAGIC SIG: Our next online meeting is Monday, Mar 2 at 10 a.m. (PT). Go to our GFO SIG web page at ...
03/01/2026

Please join our ROOTSMAGIC SIG: Our next online meeting is Monday, Mar 2 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.

Address

2505 SE 11th Avenue, Suite B018 (in Basement)
Portland, OR
97202

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 12am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+15039631932

Website

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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.