MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OR HISTORY AND LOOKUP
County History Books
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Multnomah County, Oregon: A Genealogical Overview
Situated at the critical confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers in northwestern Oregon, Multnomah County is the state’s most populous and urban center. Anchored by the city of Portland, its history is a dynamic story of river trade, Oregon Trail migration, and industrial growth that transformed it into the Pacific Northwest’s premier commercial hub. For genealogists, the county’s records document the convergence of pioneers, immigrants, and entrepreneurs who built a major American city from a small riverside clearing known as “The Clearing.”
I. County Formation and Evolution
Multnomah County was created from two of the original, large districts of the Oregon Territory, a vital fact for tracing the area’s earliest pioneer settlers.
- 1854: County Formed: Multnomah County was officially established on December 22, 1854.
- Parent Counties: It was created from the eastern portion of Washington County and the northern portion of Clackamas County. Any genealogical or land research for individuals in the Portland area prior to the end of 1854 must be conducted in the records of these two parent counties.
- Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained largely stable since its creation, and it has not ceded territory to form new counties.
- Name Origin: The county was named for the Multnomah people, a band of the Chinookan tribe that lived on and around Sauvie Island within the county’s present-day boundaries.
- County Seat History: The burgeoning city of Portland was designated the county seat upon the county’s formation in 1854 and has remained the center of government ever since.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was densely populated by Chinookan-speaking peoples, most notably the Multnomah and Clackamas tribes. They established villages along the rivers, which served as highways for trade and sources of sustenance, particularly the annual salmon runs.
- Pioneer Settlement: The city of Portland was founded in the mid-1840s by pioneers who recognized the site’s strategic value as a deep-water port on the Willamette River, favorably located for trade. The city was officially named in 1845 following a coin toss between its New England founders, Asa Lovejoy of Boston, Massachusetts, and Francis Pettygrove of Portland, Maine, with Pettygrove winning.
- Key Historical Events:
- The Oregon Trail: As the terminus for many travelers on the Oregon Trail, Portland grew rapidly as a supply center and departure point for settlers moving into the greater region.
- Donation Land Claim Act of 1850: This federal act was instrumental in populating the county, granting hundreds of acres of free land to qualified white settlers. These land claim files, held at the Oregon State Archives, are a foundational resource for early genealogical research.
- Growth as a Port: Portland’s port became the dominant shipping center in the Pacific Northwest, exporting vast quantities of lumber from the region’s immense forests and wheat from the farmlands of the interior.
- Railroad Expansion: The arrival of the transcontinental railroad in 1883 connected Portland to the rest of the nation, cementing its status as a major hub for transportation, commerce, and immigration.
- Vanport Flood of 1948: A catastrophic flood on the Columbia River completely destroyed the city of Vanport, a massive public housing project built for WWII shipyard workers. The disaster left thousands homeless and significantly impacted the county’s social and demographic landscape.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
As a major metropolitan area, Multnomah County’s records are extensive and located in several key repositories beyond just the county courthouse.
- Primary Record Repositories:
- Oregon State Archives (Salem): This is a critical starting point. It holds microfilm copies of many essential early county records, including probate, court, birth, death, and marriage records. It is also the sole repository for the invaluable Donation Land Claim files.
- Genealogical Forum of Oregon (Portland): One of the largest and most comprehensive genealogical libraries in the American West. Its collection includes extensive resources for Multnomah County and the entire state and is an essential destination for researchers.
- Oregon Historical Society (Portland): Its research library houses an unparalleled collection of manuscripts, diaries, photographs, maps, and historical records related to the settlement and development of Portland and Multnomah County.
- County Government Offices (Portland):
- Multnomah County Recorder/Clerk: Maintains modern land records, marriage licenses, and other official documents.
- Multnomah County Circuit Court: Holds court records, including more recent probate, divorce, and civil case files.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: The City of Portland began keeping some records as early as 1862. County-wide registration began in 1903, the same year as statewide registration. For official certificates, the Oregon Center for Health Statistics is the primary source, while the State Archives holds historical indexes and records.
- Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and records from 1855 to the present are held by the county. Records prior to 1855 must be sought in Washington or Clackamas counties. Microfilm copies of early marriage registers are available at the Oregon State Archives.
- Libraries:
- Multnomah County Library (Central Library): The library’s Collins Gallery and Library of Things holds extensive local history collections, including Portland city directories, historical newspapers on microfilm, maps, and photographs.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Clackamas County (south)
- Washington County (west)
- Columbia County (northwest)
- Hood River County (east)
- Clark County, Washington (north)
- Skamania County, Washington (northeast)