Skip to main content
GFO Research Library


Operating Hours:

Sun: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mon: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tue: 9:30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Wed: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Most classes and meetings are online.

Additional information on weather closures

GFO
2505 S.E. 11th Ave., Ste B018
Portland, OR 97202

Learn

Fall Seminar 2025

Online Fall Seminar 2025

Saturday, Nov 8, 2025 -- 9 am - 3:15 pm (PT)

From the Indian Wars to Taxes: Military and Other Federal Records with Michael L. Strauss, AG®


Join us for this all-day, online event! 

From the Indian Wars to Taxes: Military and Other Federal Records

Federal records are invaluable tools for genealogists because they often preserve detailed, first-person data that may not appear in local or family-held sources. These records -- ranging from pension applications and service records to land bounty files and employment records can reveal not only dates and locations but also personal experiences, physical descriptions, family relationships, and even financial or medical hardships. They provide context to an ancestor’s life by situating them within national events such as wars, migrations, or public service, often uncovering stories of resilience, sacrifice, or opportunity that enrich the broader family narrative. Our speaker will focus on several historical periods that affect a wide range of the U.S. population. 

The seminar will take place online, via Zoom.  A recording will be made, and only event-registered GFO members will have access to the recording through December 8th.

Pricing:

  • GFO Members 
       - Event Registration, and
       - Access to the recording through December 8th.
       - $40 through Oct 11, $55 thereafter.
  • Non-members 
       - Event Registration only
       - $55 through Oct 11, $70 thereafter.
  • GFO BUNDLE 
       - One year (12 months) membership with the GFO 
         (new, renewal, extension, or reinstatement),
       - New members joining with this offer receive 2 bonus months, 
       - Event registration, and
       - Access to the recording through December 8th.
       - $93 through Oct 11, $108 thereafter.

 

Virtual Seminar Time Schedule (Pacific Time Zone):

 

Saturday, November 8th

9:00 am - 10:15 am

Fighting on the Frontier: Researching the Indian Wars

10:30 am - 11:30 am

That Splendid Little War: Researching the Spanish-American War

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Enemy Aliens: Registering Our Immigrant Forebears

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Federal Taxes and the Genealogical Records They Created

3:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Closing, including door prizes and last words


Katherine Schober

Meet Our Speaker:

Our speaker, Michael L. Strauss, AG®, is an Accredited Genealogist and forensic investigator. He holds a BA in History and is a United States Coast Guard veteran. He is a licensed Private Investigator and qualified expert witness in Surrogate Court and Circuit Court in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.

He is best known in the genealogical community as an expert on military and federal records, and is a national genealogical lecturer and instructor for military courses at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR).

He has worked on identifying MIA remains from WWII and the Korean and Vietnam wars, and was the film historian for the 2015 Academy Award nominated movie “Finding Vivian Maier”.


The Impact We've Made

  • FY 2024-25 Zoom Participants

    3,913

  • FY 2024-25 Volunteer Hours

    9,989

  • FY 2024-25 Dollars Raised

    $35,853

  • New Home Funds Raised to Date

    $286,825

  • Enrolled Members

    971

  • FY 2024-25 Files Downloaded

    6,340

  • FY 2024-25 Web Pages Viewed

    171,997

  • Lisa

    Thank you, Gen Forum, for taking the time to research this! I'm grateful!

  • Luella

    Interesting that you work in other areas, not just Oregon, I love it! Thank you for your work, what a great help for many.

Genealogical Forum of Oregon
GFO Research Library


Operating Hours:

Sun: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mon: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tue: 9:30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Wed: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Most classes and meetings are online.

Additional information on weather closures

GFO
2505 S.E. 11th Ave., Ste B018
Portland, OR 97202
MENU CLOSE