[en] Although supernova explosions are widely thought to give rise to cosmic rays (nucleons), there is, as yet, no direct evidence from individual objects to support this view. A possible tool in this respect is the detection of γ-rays emitted by supernova remnants (SNRs) via π⁰ decay. However, the accumulating γ-ray data show that SNRs as a class are not γ-ray sources, but rather that γ-ray sources are, in general, closely linked with young objects. We examine, among other possibilities, whether a restricted class of SNRs are actually γ-ray sources; we restrict the class to those SNRs physically linked with extreme Population I objects. Spatial coincidences between SNRs and OB associations or H II regions (SNOBs) are sought by various methods, and this yields a list of about 30 objects (which is certainly incomplete). From the Cos B data, one finds that five (perhaps six) out of 11 as yet unidentified γ-ray sources (above 100 MeV) are associated with SNOBs, and there is a hint that as much as three-fourths of the best identified SNOBs are seen in γ-rays. The associated probabilities of chance coincidence are approx.10^-4. Angular and other statistical considerations also support this association. Pending confirmation, if a substantial proportion of the observed γ-rays does come from π⁰ decay, SNOBs appear to be a major source of galactic cosmic rays, in which cosmic-ray (> or =2 GeV) energy densities in the range approx.10--100 times the solar neighborhood value are found. A phenomenological scenario is suggested. Cosmic rays are produced by a two-step process, in which low-energy (MeV range) particles are injected by young stars pertaining to an OB association, and are subsequently accelerated by the shock wave of a neighboring supernova explosion. Isolated SNRs, possible links with light-element production, and the links between SNOBS and other astronomical objects are discussed