The Umatilla County Historical Society offers research services on a first come first serve basis and processing can take 2-4 weeks depending on time of year and availability of researchers.
To aid those doing their own research you will find links on this page to local, state, and national resources.
Research Fees
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
UCHS does not have these records onsite, they must be ordered through the state archives. State archives also include the following records: land, court files, maps, military, mining, roads, schools, census, and much more.
Please note that Oregon has the following rules regarding access to records:
- Birth Certificates are restricted for 100 years.
- Death Certificates are restricted for 50 years.
- Use the link below to access the state archives for Umatilla County.
https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/county-records-guide/Pages/umatilla-inventory.aspx
Information Requests – No Fee
- There is no fee if we know we cannot provide the information requested.
- There is no fee if we know the answer and can provide it without research.
Local Newspaper Obituary/Article Searches – $20 to $40 each
- If day, month, and year of death/article are provided: $20 for the search and first obituary/article and $10 for each additional obituary/article.
- If only month and year of death are provided: $40 for the search and first obituary and $20 for each additional obituary.
- If the month of death is not known, we cannot do an obituary search.
- If the full date of an article is not known, we cannot do an article search.
Society Staff On-site Research Service – $20/hour, $40 minimum
- We will consult our archival documents, biography files, photograph collections, and library resources to answer your inquiry.
Self-directed Research for UCHS Members – No Fee
- UCHS members who wish to conduct their own research in the library.
Self-directed Research for Non-Members – $10 per day
- Those who are not UCHS members but desire to do their own research in the library.
Student Self-directed Research for Non-Members – $5 per day
- All students doing their own research in the library.
Special Collections Fee – $20 per hour
- Applies to all situations (members and non-members) where it is necessary for a staff member/ collections volunteer to sit with the researcher to provide support or monitor handling of archival materials.
Other Fees
- Postage- Fee varies.
- Copies- .25 per page
- PDF Scan- .50 per page
- Photos- Please refer to our Photograph order form for use based fees.
Index of Available UCHS Library Materials
Pioneer Trails Index Volumes 1-49
Research Library Index – COMING SOON!
Local Resources
Main Records Office Pendleton
Records Department
216 SE 4th St.
Room #106
Pendleton, OR 97801
Phone: 541-278-6236
Fax: 541-278-6345
records@umatillacounty.gov
Pendleton Library
Newspapers on Microfilm, genealogy section, directories, and more.
502 SW Dorion Ave
Pendleton, Or 97801
(541) 966-0380
Blue Mountain Genealogy Society
P.O. Box 1801
Pendleton, Oregon 97801
State Resources
Historic Oregon Newspapers
Pre-1923 Newspapers with some modern selections
Oregon Digital
Heritage Photos from around the state of Oregon
Oregon Historic Sites Database
Searchable database for all Oregon historic sites
National Resources
National Register of Historic Places
If a building has been registered it can be found here.
Family Search
Free online ancestry tool/database
Find a Grave
Searchable cemetery database with user added photos and information.
Historical Marker Database
National database of historical markers, these include plaques on buildings.
Contact
108 SW Frazer St
PO Box 253
Pendleton, OR 97801
info@heritagestationmuseum.org
(541) 276-0012
Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 10 – 4
The Umatilla County Historical Society was organized to collect and preserve historical objects and stories unique to the Umatilla County region and uses them to strengthen present and future generations’ understanding of that history through exhibits and diverse programming.
© 2026 Heritage Station Museum.
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