WVGS Executive Board Meeting:
Thursday, May 7th, 2026
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Salem Public Library
Plaza Room
585 Liberty St. SE
Salem, Oregon
Members are welcome to attend.
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Salem Public Library
Plaza Room
585 Liberty St. SE
Salem, Oregon
Members are welcome to attend.
WVGS May General Meeting:
Saturday, May 9th, 2026
Salem Public Library
Library Collaboration Room (Lower Level)
585 Liberty St. SE
Salem, Oregon
10:30 am – 11:45 am The General Membership Meeting.
A business meeting will be held to conduct society business.
12:00 am – 1:00 pm
Program: “Discover the "Unfindable": FamilySearch Full Text Search”
Speaker: Christopher Rumbaugh
Christopher brings over 30 years of professional library experience and 45 years of genealogical expertise to the society. Holding an MLS from Emporia State University, Christopher was an early adopter, presenting on FamilySearch at the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conference in Portland shortly after the platform’s internet debut.
Now, he returns to highlight FamilySearch "Full Text Search." While traditional searching relies on human-created indexes, this revolutionary feature uses AI to "read" and interpret text directly from original document images. This technology unlocks a vast treasury of previously inaccessible records, allowing you to search millions of documents that have never been indexed.
In addition, Christopher will demonstrate how he utilizes FamilySearch to archive personal family history documents and images, ensuring they are preserved and shared with researchers worldwide.
These meetings and programs are always open to members and the public. We hope to see everyone there.
Salem Public Library
Library Collaboration Room (Lower Level)
585 Liberty St. SE
Salem, Oregon
10:30 am – 11:45 am The General Membership Meeting.
A business meeting will be held to conduct society business.
12:00 am – 1:00 pm
Program: “Discover the "Unfindable": FamilySearch Full Text Search”
Speaker: Christopher Rumbaugh
Christopher brings over 30 years of professional library experience and 45 years of genealogical expertise to the society. Holding an MLS from Emporia State University, Christopher was an early adopter, presenting on FamilySearch at the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conference in Portland shortly after the platform’s internet debut.
Now, he returns to highlight FamilySearch "Full Text Search." While traditional searching relies on human-created indexes, this revolutionary feature uses AI to "read" and interpret text directly from original document images. This technology unlocks a vast treasury of previously inaccessible records, allowing you to search millions of documents that have never been indexed.
In addition, Christopher will demonstrate how he utilizes FamilySearch to archive personal family history documents and images, ensuring they are preserved and shared with researchers worldwide.
These meetings and programs are always open to members and the public. We hope to see everyone there.
Upcoming 2026 General Meeting Programs:
June: Document Scanning
July: Richard Callis on researching his California ancestors
August: Laurel Smith of GFO in Portland
September: Darrell Jabin, Oregon's Traveling Historian
October: Rik Vigeland, Breaking Down Brick Walls
Do you have a suggestion or request for a program? Let us know!
July: Richard Callis on researching his California ancestors
August: Laurel Smith of GFO in Portland
September: Darrell Jabin, Oregon's Traveling Historian
October: Rik Vigeland, Breaking Down Brick Walls
Do you have a suggestion or request for a program? Let us know!
Autosomal DNA Q&A with Denise Sproed
By Appointment Only
Salem Public Library
The WVGS Desk (Main Level, Southeast)
585 Liberty St. SE
Salem, Oregon
Go to the 'Research' page to submit an appointment request.
Salem Public Library
The WVGS Desk (Main Level, Southeast)
585 Liberty St. SE
Salem, Oregon
Go to the 'Research' page to submit an appointment request.