Genealogy Resources

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Start your family history project using the genealogy resources available at Salem Public Library at Broadway. The library hosts the Willamette Valley Genealogical Society (WVGS) and their collection to assist users in this type of research. ​WVGS volunteers are available to assist library users at no cost.

Join a Willamette Valley Genealogical Society meeting at the library on the second Saturday of each month at noon for a free program of interest to genealogists, such as a speaker, seminar, or workshop.

For an obituary look-up or specific research, contact WVGS by mail or email.

Online resources


What’s happening
May 13
Hora de Cuentos en el Hogar9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.Salem Public Library

Mientras la biblioteca está cerrada al público, comparte el amor de literatura con su familia viendo nuestras SPL Hora de Cuentos en el Hogar. Cada pequeño episodio, lanzado cada jueves, tiene canciones y rimas de algunos de nuestros libros favoritos. Tenemos muchas ganas de verlos en la biblioteca, pero mientras tanto, por favor disfruten de nuestros episodios de Hora de Cuentos en el Hogar desde la seguridad de su propia casa. Visita https://www.facebook.com/@CiudaddeSalemOregon o https://www.facebook.com/spl.oregon/ #splathome

Phone: 503-588-6315

Learn more

May 15
SPL Storytime at Home9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.Virtual Meeting

Families are invited to join Youth Services staff online each week for stories, songs, and fingerplays. New online storytimes are published on the library's Facebook page using #splathome each Monday and Saturday in English and Thursday in Spanish.

Phone: 503-588-6315

Learn more

Songwriting Workshop for Tweens and Teens with Mo Phillips2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.Digital Meeting

Four sessions: 3 recorded; 1 live!

  • Watch weekly recordings from April 24-May 14 | On YouTube
  • Attend the final session live: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, May 15 | On Zoom

    Explore the art of songwriting in a 4-week workshop series led by zany local rock-n-roller and performer Mo Phillips. Kids in grade 4-8 will first watch and follow Mo as he teaches the basics of writing lyrics and creating music. This leads to a final live Zoom session with Mo where students will get coaching from the expert and share their own original music creations.

    Register now to get access to the three recorded sessions starting on Saturday, April 24 and to get the Zoom access information for the final, live session.

    This Songwriting Workshop is free for students, funded by a grant from the Marion Cultural Development Corporation.

    Phone: 503-588-6315

    • May 19
    Let's Talk Books! Virtual Book Club for Adults12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.Digital Meeting

    Sign up to receive the Zoom links to participate in the virtual book club! Copies of the eBooks are available in unlimited quantities on Library2Go (the Libby app).* Join us as we discuss the following books:

    Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 21: Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller | On Zoom

    Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 19: Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn | On Zoom

    Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, June 16: Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad | On Zoom

    *OverDrive, the company behind the Oregon Digital Library Consortium's eBook platform Library2Go, has made some eBook titles available for unlimited checkouts through the middle of December 2021. If you're unsure how to download a library eBook through Library2Go, please email [email protected] for detailed instructions or call (503) 588-6315 and leave a message for a library staff member to call you back.

    Phone: 503-588-6315

    Books Please! Teen Book Discussions5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.Digital Meeting

    Each monthly meeting (on Zoom for now) includes trivia questions, talking about the book, and a chance to share ideas for more reading. Book themes will change three times a year, so many types of books will be included. We welcome anyone from one-time visitors to regular monthly participants.

    The current theme - chosen by middle and high school readers - is Science Fiction/Dystopia:

    5-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 17 - "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman;

    5-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 - "Renegades" by Marissa Meyer

    5-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 19 - "Steelheart" by Brandon Sanderson

    Sign up to get a reminder and Zoom login information the day before each meeting.

    Phone: 503-588-6315

    Next

    Contact us

    Willamette Valley Genealogical Society
    Monday CLOSED
    Tuesday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Wednesday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Thursday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Friday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Saturday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    Sunday 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
    1400 Broadway St NE
    Salem OR 97301
    Mailing address:
    WVGS
    PO Box 2083
    Salem OR 97308-2083
    Website: