Engage > Family Research
Family Research
Getting started on researching your family history can seem like a daunting task. A systematic approach ensures that you use your time efficiently and it will improve your chances of success.
The basic principle of genealogy is to start with what you know about your nearest ancestor (typically a parent), and work your way back one generation at a time. Do not take shortcuts or give in to the temptation of starting your research with a distant ancestor. Given that there are many people with the exact same given names and surname who were born in the same year, you may not connect with the correct family line.
If possible, use a genealogy program to organize your research and always document your sources.
Volunteers at the Center for Volga German Studies (CVGS) at Concordia University are available to help you get started. The CVGS has a large collection of materials that will inform your research.
The Genealogy Forum of Oregon Library of over 36,000 titles has Oregon, regional, national, and worldwide resources. GFO volunteers can assist you in finding information about your family.
The basic principle of genealogy is to start with what you know about your nearest ancestor (typically a parent), and work your way back one generation at a time. Do not take shortcuts or give in to the temptation of starting your research with a distant ancestor. Given that there are many people with the exact same given names and surname who were born in the same year, you may not connect with the correct family line.
If possible, use a genealogy program to organize your research and always document your sources.
Volunteers at the Center for Volga German Studies (CVGS) at Concordia University are available to help you get started. The CVGS has a large collection of materials that will inform your research.
The Genealogy Forum of Oregon Library of over 36,000 titles has Oregon, regional, national, and worldwide resources. GFO volunteers can assist you in finding information about your family.
A portion of the Schreiber family descendants chart prepared by Dr. Igor Pleve of Saratov, Russia
Research phases
In the United States
- Obituaries
- Census Lists
- Naturalization Records
- Social Security Applications
- Vital Records
- Church Records
From Europe to North America
- Passenger Lists
- Border Crossings (e.g. Canada to the United States)
- Steamship tickets
In Their Russian Settlement
- Census Lists
- Church Records
- Descendants Charts
From Germany to Russia
- Kulberg Lists (arrival records in Russia)
- Marriage Lists
- Transport Lists
In Their Ancestral Towns in Germany/Western Europe
- Church Records
- Civil Records
Last updated November 12, 2016.