In the Spring of 1966, a group of Southern Oregon genealogical researchers met, elected officers and purchased their first book. Thus, the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society (RVGS) was born. Since 501[c] [3] status was granted September 1, 1978, RVGS has steadily increased its collection, membership and services.
In 1998, RVGS began issuing Rogue Valley Pioneer Certificates and Early Settler Certificates to document local family histories and recognize the accomplishments of early Southern Oregon residents, many of whom arrived in Oregon Territory prior to 1865. To learn more about the Pioneer and Early settler Certificate Program, follow this link, Certificate Program.
The picture below is a photograph taken to commemorate the 1898 pioneer reunion in Jackson County. RVGS volunteers have attempted to identify each person in the photo and develop a genealogy file for their family and for other Jackson County pioneers. An index to the Pioneer File is available online at the JCGL website.
RVGS is a leader in educating the public as well as its members on genealogical research. Society members are dedicated, knowledgeable family historians and teachers who inform and instruct community citizens on genealogical research techniques. Members are available for presentations to schools and community groups upon request. Volunteer librarians attend regular training sessions on the collection and research procedures. The strength of RVGS is in the unusually high number of members who regularly volunteer their time and energy to staff the Jackson County Genealogy Library, abstract genealogical data, provide research services and educational opportunities.
RVGS has served Southern Oregon and Northern California with distinction. Our record demonstrates that we are an organization well-qualified to fulfill our mission; "to establish, equip, develop and maintain a research library of genealogical materials of historical interest for use by Society members and the general public; to preserve and protect documents of genealogical and historical interest; to inform and educate members and the general public on the value of genealogical research in preserving the past for future generations." Genealogy is our link from the past to the future.
