Blog
Research in the US Northwest
- September 4, 2025
- Posted by: Melody Daisson
- Category: Uncategorized
Unlock Your Pacific Northwest Family History: Research in the US Northwest Course
Are you curious about the pioneers, settlers, and immigrants who shaped the American Northwest? Do you have ancestors who traveled the Oregon Trail, settled in Washington Territory, or built communities in Idaho and Montana? The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy’s virtual spring course “Research in the US Northwest” is designed to help you uncover those family stories hidden in the rugged history of America’s Pacific Northwest.
A Comprehensive 10-Week Journey Through Northwest History
Running from February 18 through April 22, 2026, this high-intermediate level course offers an immersive exploration of genealogical research in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Each Wednesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Mountain Time, you’ll dive deep into the unique challenges and opportunities of Northwest family research.
What Makes Northwest Genealogy Special?
The Pacific Northwest’s history is significantly different from that of other regions in the United States. This area was shaped by:
- Epic migration stories – From the treacherous Oregon Trail to Scandinavian immigration patterns
- Diverse settlement patterns – Native American tribes, fur trappers, missionaries, homesteaders, and industrial workers
- Unique record sets – Federal land records, territorial censuses, and specialized collections
- Complex geography – Mountains, rivers, and vast distances that influenced where people settled and how records were kept
Expert Instructors Guide Your Research
The course features an impressive lineup of genealogy experts:
- Geri Cochran Auerbach, MS, AG – Leading sessions on territorial development, research guides, and federal land records
- Michelle Roos Goodrum, CG – Covering early trappers and missionaries, plus women’s stories in the Northwest
- Steven W. Morrison, MPA – Exploring overland trails and sharing student research projects
- Carol Jenner, PhD, CG – Teaching about repositories and industrial migration patterns
Additional specialists will cover topics from Native American research to Chinese Exclusion Act records, ensuring you get expert knowledge on every aspect of Northwest genealogy.
Weekly Deep Dives Into Northwest History
Each week focuses on specific aspects of Northwest research:
Week 1: Learn about the geography and treaties that shaped territorial boundaries
Week 2: Follow the major overland trails and discover the Native American tribal records
Week 3: Master federal land records and homestead documentation
Week 4: Explore census records and major repositories
Week 5: Research through newspapers and Portland/Multnomah County records
Week 6: Understand natural resource occupations and Scandinavian immigration
Week 7: Investigate mining, logging, and fishing industries
Week 8: Study industrial migration and immigration restriction laws
Week 9: Focus on women’s stories and personal research sharing
Week 10: Learn about westward family migrations through case studies
Interactive Learning Experience
This isn’t just a lecture series. The course includes hands-on research opportunities, a student sharing session where you’ll present your own Northwest family discoveries. By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a comprehensive understanding of genealogical research in the Northwestern United States and practical tools to uncover your family history in this region.
Wow—what an incredible opportunity! As someone with deep roots in Washington and Oregon, I’m absolutely thrilled to see a course like “Research in the US Northwest” being offered by SLIG.
The course outline alone has me eager to dive in—from mastering homestead documentation and exploring natural resource occupations to uncovering women’s stories and navigating Native American and immigration-related records. These are precisely the kinds of unique resources that make Northwest genealogy both fascinating and complex. And the inclusion of hands-on research and student sharing sessions? That’s a huge bonus!
I can’t wait to connect with others equally passionate about this region’s history and enhance my own research by including any previously overlooked resources. Thank you, SLIG, for offering such a thoughtfully designed and enriching course. Count me in!