"The purpose of the Willamette Valley Genealogical Society is to create, encourage, and foster a popular interest in genealogy. (from the WVGS Constitution)
The Willamette Valley Genealogical Society (WVGS) was organized in December, 1968, to create and foster the study of family history, aid in the publication of local history, and aid in the establishment of materials in local genealogical library collections. It is an Oregon Non-Profit corporation for public benefit, and was determined to be a 501 (c) (3) organization.
In the summer of 2015 the society’s collection of genealogy books became available to WVGS members and the public at the Salem Public Library. The large collection of approximately 5,000 items also includes periodicals, microfilm, microfiche, maps, and data CD publications. During the Salem Library Earthquake Safety Retrofit Project, most of our collection will be held in storage and unaccessable. The Society also has an offsite collection of periodicals and family histories and genealogies. WVGS volunteers are available to assist researchers with accessing our materials as well as the internet and Ancestry.com. The volunteer schedule is listed below.
The Society holds a general meeting on the second Saturday every month which includes a business meeting, Q&A discussions, and a program of interest (guest speaker, seminar or workshop). See the Calendar page for details.
The Society holds a general meeting on the second Saturday every month which includes a business meeting, Q&A discussions, and a program of interest (guest speaker, seminar or workshop). See the Calendar page for details.
WVGS Officers for 2025:
Elected Officers:
President:
Doug Crosby
1st Vice-President (Program):
Kerry Wymetalek
2nd Vice-President (Membership):
Dave Bruey
Treasurer:
Barbara Foster
Recording Secretary:
Sally Broadwater
Corresponding Secretary:
Debbie Root
President:
Doug Crosby
1st Vice-President (Program):
Kerry Wymetalek
2nd Vice-President (Membership):
Dave Bruey
Treasurer:
Barbara Foster
Recording Secretary:
Sally Broadwater
Corresponding Secretary:
Debbie Root
Appointed Positions:
Newsletter Editor:
David Bruey (Temp)
Beaver Briefs Publishing Editor:
Dennis Hill
Beaver Briefs Content Editors:
Craig & Deanne Smith
Librarian:
Deanne Smith
Volunteer Coordinator:
Anne May
Webmaster:
Dennis Hill
Newsletter Editor:
David Bruey (Temp)
Beaver Briefs Publishing Editor:
Dennis Hill
Beaver Briefs Content Editors:
Craig & Deanne Smith
Librarian:
Deanne Smith
Volunteer Coordinator:
Anne May
Webmaster:
Dennis Hill
The WVGS Salem Public Library Genealogy Department:
- Trained volunteers to assist with genealogy research.
- Access to Ancestry.com.
- All available materials are for use within the library only.
- Two library computers are available for genealogy use.
- WVGS volunteers also have two laptops for their use with helping patrons.