Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society

Its National Family History Month! Bring your family stories to life.

Sanctuaries of the Mind

The personal journey of Little Lula

Oct.17, 2026

1:00pm - Via Zoom

As we remember National Family History Month, we present the personal journey of Lula Lewellen Shaw who came to Eastern Oregon with her parents and siblings in the 1880’s and experience personal tragedies along her journey from wife and mother to resident in the Oregon State Hospital in the 1920’s and 30’s as told by her grand-daughter, Georga Foster.

This program also covers how to order records from the State of Oregon in its Historic Records Index with over 2000 new commitment records added in 2026. The record index is part of the Oregon State Archives and other records such as births, deaths, divorce, estate and probate records are available in the index also.

This is a free presentation but you must register.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1HyDF6PiTmmNXj5qMdWM9w

Welcome back! , Happy Fall - September program - Navigating the Records of the War of 1812

Join us virtually on Sept 19, 2026 for a free program from Brian Rhinhart of Civil War Records guiding us though the War of 1812 military records. Records from the war include compiled military service records, pension and bounty land records, administrative and operational records, civilian and diplomatic records. Much personal information like name, rank, military unit (regiment/company), dates and places of enlistment/discharge, state from which enlisted, references to absences, wounds, hospitalization, courts-martial, or death. They are abstracts compiled later from original muster rolls, pay rolls, returns, and related documents.

Pension application files (especially under later acts such as 1871 and 1878): Veteran’s name, age, residence, service details (dates, places of enlistment/discharge, organization, rank), medical information, and supporting evidence. Widow’s applications typically add maiden name, marriage date/place, husband’s death date/place, and children’s details. Files can include affidavits, family Bible pages, marriage certificates, and witness statements.

Bounty land warrant applications and patents: Rank, unit, service dates, warrant details, land location (often in western territories), and sometimes information about widows, children, or assignee's (many veterans sold their warrants).

The program is free but registration is required. The registration link is below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2kUIInhhReerXk6BOjYb1w

Historic preservation - Columbia Gorge Discovery Center Museum and William G. Dick Library - Historic Photos collection and Oregon Trail Inscription Database

This month is a milestone for history preservation, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center Museum and the William G. Dick Library uploaded two very special databases that is in the interest of both historical and genealogical research. Long time coming, with a grant from the City of The Dalles, the photo archive and the Oregon - California Trail Inscription Database is now online and is available for the public.

Over 30,000 photos from the Wasco County Pioneer Association and thousands of donated photos from area residents and journalists and the Jim Henderson Oregon - California Trail Emigrant Inscription Collection with over 5,000 trail inscriptions from Missouri to Oregon. We hope everyone will enjoy and utilize these in their family research.

https://www.gorgediscovery.org/photo-archives

https://www.gorgediscovery.org/oregon-trail-collection

Celebrating America 250! Our ancestor patriot newsletter is out!

We are remembering our ancestors who fought for our freedom and liberty.

Download our ancestor patriot newsletter on the right column of this blog or

pick up a copy at our local libraries.

Summer break - see you in September!

2026 Programs and Events

January 10 - Social History and Your Genealogical Research
Febuary- All Saturdays of the month- Original Wasco County Courthouse History Forums
March 14- Kenneth R. Marks - How to Develop Critical Online Newspaper Research Skills
April 11 - Ft. Dalles Tour
May - IOOF Photo Requests
June 5 - Membership Luncheon
Summer Break- July and August
September 19- Brian Rhinehart-Navigating the Records From The War of 1812
Oct. 17 - National Family History Month - Sanctuaries of the Mind - Little Lula

Pioneers of The West

Header Photo: Helen Lundeberg created this painting while employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal program that employed artists during the Great Depression. Like other WPA artists, Lundeberg depicted a hopeful view of the United States during a time of turmoil and uncertainty by showing a dreamlike image of western expansion. The group of pioneers, with their backs to the viewer, follows an ox-drawn wagon into a valley. The monumental figures appear strong and assured in their forward progress. Rising mountains melt into the sun. Lundeberg's style of mixing fantastic images with reality is evident in the background: The pink, rolling mountains blend into the orange, pink, and bluish haze of the sky; it is difficult to determine where the mountains end and the sky begins. The careful use of space and dreamlike elements in Pioneers of the West is representative of Lundeberg's postsurrealist style. This movement, derived from surrealism, purposely combined fantasy with reality and was predominantly found on the West Coast. (Helen Lundeberg, Pioneers of the West, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.8.27) GSA: Information and images created or owned by the GSA unless otherwise indicated, are considered in the public domain. They may be distributed or copied as permitted by applicable law.