Drop in on the first or third Saturday of the month 10am to Noon in the Lake Oswego Library Conference Room for one-on-one assistance with GIG Lake Oswego volunteer genealogists.
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​Consultations are available for anyone doing family history, whether you are just starting your journey or have been researching your family for years, but need guidance and advice.​​
Genealogy Databases Accessible at the Lake Oswego Public Library
Largest subscription and fee-based family history website with billions of records, photos, family trees, historical newspapers, and publications. Also provides genealogy research and publishing services. Personal account features are not available such as family trees and member directory.
Largest free genealogy website with millions of digitized records, apps, and genealogy education resources. Lake Oswego Public Library is a FamilySearch affiliate. Some resources that are restricted publicly may be available within the library. You will need to sign up for a free FamilySearch account to access.
These resources are available on site at the Lake Oswego Public Library using their computers.
Genealogy Resources
Compile a complete list of family members and their information with this chart from Ancestry®.
Use this interactive PDF form which is a handy genealogy research checklist as you research your person's family history.
Document your research efforts, including what you've searched, where you searched, and what you found using this form from FamilySearch.
Start with You
The secret to a successful family tree is simple: Work backward from the known to the unknown. By starting with yourself and moving one generation at a time, you build a solid foundation that ensures your history is accurate.
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1. Work Backwards
Don't jump straight to the 1700s! Follow this sequence to stay on the right track:
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Start with yourself: Record your own vital details.
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Interview family: Document your parents and grandparents.
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Move generation by generation: Only move to the great-grandparents once the previous generation is fully verified.
2. Verify and Document
A family tree is only as good as its proof. To prevent following the "wrong" family:
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Use Reliable Sources: Look for birth certificates, marriage licenses, and census records.
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Cite Your Sources: Always note where you found a piece of information so you can find it again.
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Check for Variations: Be mindful of spelling errors or name changes in historical documents.
3. Identify the Gaps
Working methodically helps you see exactly where information is missing. If you find a gap, don't guess—use it as a roadmap for your next research goal.
Before you Visit Ancestry Answers
Gather as much as you can about your family history including as many names, birth/death dates and locations as possible.​
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Start with what you already know and work backwards.
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Talk to family members and relatives.
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Create a pedigree chart or family group sheet.
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Keep a research log, notebook, or correspondence log to stay organized.
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Use a research checklist to understand what records to look for.
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Join the Lake Oswego Genealogy Interest Group to improve your skills because collaborating with others is one of the most cherished aspects of genealogy.
Getting Guidance and Advice to Advance Your Family History Research
Have you encountered a genealogy "brick wall?" We can help you systematically explore.
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Thoroughly review existing records.
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Expand your search by exploring alternative names and spellings, different locations, and related records
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Utilize all records possible
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Implement friends, associates and neighbors research
Are you a GIG Member that would like to volunteer?
Contact lakeogig@gmail.com.