Then What? Part Three Mormon Migration Passenger Lists

Step Three: Search Collections

Ship Passenger Lists

The Mormon Migration Database is not the usual passenger list held by National Archives. These are generated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and were kept by church leaders assigned to help their immigrants come to Utah.

Searching the index by name, for instance, pulls up every ship someone by that name is listed. Once the correct ancestor is located there are several valuable information fields:

1) the page of the original ship log is attached and can be viewed; 

2) there is a list of all other passengers - maybe some of these were friends or family;

3) accounts of the voyage -  can make for an interesting segment of any written history.

4) port of destination with dates of voyage.

Case Study:

Below is a picture of the log  for Joseph Howell Evans, his wife Ruth, and their daughter Ann. The full page is available on the Mormon Migration site. For purposes of this case study the picture has cropped out all but the Evans family. The information lists names, ages, and often the address they came from. The above family was listed as being from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The Evans family are listed as ordinary passengers, had they come by church funds they would be listed as PEF instead of ordinary. His occupation - Smith. This indicates he is a blacksmith.

The Mormon Migration site lists "Liverpool to New Orleans on the Golconda (4 February 1854 - 18 March 1854) as the voyage post of departure, arrival, ship name, and dates of voyage.It is easy to find this same family in passenger lists generated at the port. One of the best sites to use is Ancestry.com to find these. Using original records provides clues to further information to collaborate records. Inserting images into a written history makes it more interesting.

Alpine Primary 1944

Although this photo is not from the pioneer time period it is about the history of Alpine. There are several books, photos, and church records that fit into the same category.

The middle artifact is a candle mold used by Martha Evans Winn (born 1842). In front is a display of home made candles. These types of candles were used to light the Schoolhouse and early Pioneer Homes. This High Top Shoe is typical of those worn by Alpine Pioneer Women. The item on the left is a baby shoe.

Artifacts from times past help people to connect with the past and spark an interest in the pioneers. We welcome individuals as well as groups to come and view the Alpine Relic Hall and discover the past.

Brigham Young names town Alpine

President Brigham Young of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints dedicated the Alpine Church (now Relic Hall) in 1863 and suggested that the town name be changed from Mountainville to Alpine. This photo hangs in the Relic Hall.

Exterior Stone Carving at Alpine Relic Hall