Multnomah County History and Records
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Multnomah County was created on Dec. 22, 1854. It was the 13th county created in Oregon Territory. The land was taken from the eastern portion of Washington County and northern part of Clackamas County. The borders have remained relatively unchanged to the present.
The county was named after the Multnomah Indians who were part of the Chinookan tribe that lived on the eastern tip of what is now Sauvie Island. The city of Portland was chartered in 1851 and was made the county seat in 1854. Portland was the commercial and industrial center of Oregon.
Multnomah County was created when the people living in Portland found it difficult to travel to Hillsboro to conduct business at the county seat of Washington County. They also thought they were paying too much in taxes supporting farmers in the rural areas surrounding Portland. In 1854, Portland businessmen petitioned the legislative assembly for a new county and Multnomah County was created at the subsequent session. The Multnomah County Commissioners met for the first time on Jan. 17, 1855.
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Series Descriptions for Multnomah County
1856-1858
.1 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series used to document county population and to report statistics to the territorial government. Census rolls show resident's name, number of legal voters, adult males and females, males aged 10 to 21, females aged 10 to 18, and males and females under age 10; totals; census date; and census taker's certification. Series is not arranged.
1854-1859
.1 cubic feet
Series used to provide access to the deed record. Entries show grantor's name, grantee's name, book number or letter, and page number. Series is arranged alphabetically by grantor's or grantee's name.
1856-1859
2.0 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents the probate of estates, and the administration of insanity and juvenile guardianships. Records include administrator's bonds, vouchers, petitions, estate inventories, property appraisals, receipts, correspondence, estate account ledgers, letters of administration, and bills of sale. Series is arranged numerically by case number.
1856
.25 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm
Series documents the collection of assessed taxes. Tax roll entries show taxpayer's name, poll tax owed, county tax owed, school tax owed, territorial tax owed, and total tax owed. Some years also include paid notations. Series is not arranged.