Then What? Part Four Overland Travel Collections

Step Three:  Collections

Handcart & Wagon Roster Databases

The Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel Database contains more than 60,000 compilation of names obtained from "rosters and other reliable sources of individuals who immigrated to Utah during this two-decade period. Each company is listed under its captain's name, and basic information is provided, including a photograph of the captain where available. Many companies include a list of diaries, journals, letters, and reminiscences written by company members, as well as contemporary reports about the company. The content of several thousand of those narratives has been transcribed and is included in the database."

"Between 1847 and 1868, Mormon emigrants traveling in more than 300 companies departed from various places and headed for the Salt Lake Valley. . . some traveling by foot, some in wagons, and some pulling handcarts."

This database has the potentially the name, age, birth and death information, plus company name the individual traveled in. This leads to a roster of all the other immigrants in that wagon or handcart train as well as travel excerpts. This is great information to create migration maps and travel excerpts to add to any written history.

Case Study

1) A search for the Evans family mentioned in previous posts shows their names and ages and the year they came across the plains - 1854. Unfortunately, the company they traveled in is unknown at this time so there aren't any travel excerpts to find. If, however, a reliable source surfaces this can be changed by following the instructions on the website.

2) John McCormick Wiser traveled west in 1850 with a California-bound gold company. Intending to winter in Salt Lake, he joined the Church in December 1850. Notice he was not Mormon but is in this database because his baptism proved he was in Utah during the pioneer period.

Joseph Wilford Booth and his wife Mary Rebecca Moyle Photo

This couple picture is of Joseph Wilford Booth & Mary Rebecca Moyle. He was born 14 August 1866 in Alpine Utah and died 5 December 1928 in Aleppo, Syria. Rebecca was born 26 June 1869 in Alpine, Utah and died 28 September 1940 in Alpine, Utah.

Both were natives of Utah. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) definition of a Utah Pioneer includes immigrants, children born in the Territory until May 10, 1869, and anyone who stepped foot in the Territory. That is why this Booth couple are considered pioneers.

They were on their 3rd mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Joseph served as President of the Armenian Mission when he died in Aleppo, Syria. Rebecca returned to Alpine where she continued to be a great teacher. Her home was filled with beautiful rugs and other items from Syria. She lived 12 years longer than Joseph and passed away at the age of 71.

Pioneer Flat Irons

The flat iron pictured was brought over from England in 1852 and used in Alpine. The other flat iron was a wedding present owned by Jesse Healey from his mother. It is interesting to learn how pioneers used to iron their clothes - quite a different technique from today.

Alpine Camp

This photo is from Flickr by SingleDadLaughing

On September 14, 1992, the Alpine Camp was formed after splitting from the Mountainville Camp. They have contributed much to their community:

• The Alpine Camp helped to dig out under the Relic Hall and make a basement. A nice room was made and many relics and artifacts were put in the basement and often members helped in restoring and caring for these items. Along with other camps these women help to conduct tours at the Relic Hall. 
• Beautiful Quilts have been made by this camp and donated on Alpine Days. 
• They also contributed money to help build a place to store the Restored Fire Truck in Salt Lake City. 
• Bake sales helped raise revenue for the camp and Relic Hall. One member said she would often sell the chocolate cake she had made walking to Alpine Days long before she even got there. 

This camp likes to take field trips. Some of their meetings have been at the Relic Hall. They have also gone to Historic Moyle Park, This is the Place Monument, Manti Temple, Holdman Stained Glass Studio, and Mt. Timpanogos Cave Visitors Center. They also publish the Alpine Camp Companion.