Oregon Lutheran records?
Started by TFOlsen · 2006-07-03
TFOlsen · 2006-07-03#1
My great-grandparents, Johan OLSEN and Oline CHRISTIANSDTR emigrated from Norway in 1974 and 1879, respectively. (I'm working separately on tracing family roots in Norway.)
After they settled in the Portland Oregon area, specifically in Milwaukie in Clackamas County, they started a family in the early 1880s.
From US Census entries, and family lore, we know that Oline had six total children, only three of whom survived to adulthood:
Gurine OLSEN, b. 25-Dec-1883, d. 23-Apr-1960 (both in OR).
Bernhard OLSEN, b. 9-Sep-1889 in OR, d. 30-Dec-1978 in Indianapolis, IN.
Johann OLSEN, b. Feb 1894, d. After 1942.
But the names and vital statistics of the three deceased siblings are still unknown. Logically, all three would have been born before 1889, and family lore has all three perishing in the same week some time prior to 1900.
Obvious sources, like oral history or family bibles, are unavailable or unavailing. And Oregon didn't require reporting of natural deaths prior to 1903, unfortunately.
Does anyone have any leads to compilations of Lutheran church records, particularly christenings and funerals, in Clackamas and/or Multnomah counties in Oregon?
I tried writing to the Rector of what seemed to be the largest Lutheran church in Portland, but never heard anything back.
Obviously, suggestions are welcome.