Each person on trek will be given a pioneer for whom they will trek. We want the youth to research their own ancestry to find out if they have someone who crossed with the Willie, Martin, Hunt, or Hodgett companies or was part of the rescue party from Salt Lake. If they do not have an ancestor in one of these groups they will be assigned one. Please let us know as soon as you can if you have an ancestor in one of these groups. In addition, we want them to find a "pioneer" ancestor of their own. This "pioneer" could be the first person baptized in their family or have crossed the plains with another company or that inspires you in some way. Learn their story by heart and be prepared to share it with your trek family. They only have to bring the extra pioneer story if they did not already have an ancestor in the Willie/Martin/Hunt/Hodgett/rescuers group. It is encouraged that they bring the extra ancestor story for their own benefit but it is not required if they are already trekking for a pioneer ancestor in the Willie/Martin/Hunt/Hodgett/rescuers group.
How do I get started?
Ask family members what they know. They may already have done the research.
Sign in to Family Search and view any of your own Pioneer Ancestors: https://familysearch.org/campaign/pioneers#/
Go to Family Search and locate your ancestors that lived during this time period (travelling between 1847-1868 before the railroad reached Salt Lake City). Search for their names on this database, Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel. If you know which company they travelled with it will be even easier to find them under the companies tab.
Ask for help from the Family History Coordinators in the ward.
Don't have pioneer ancestors? That's ok. Learn their stories. You are a part of their legacy too. You can read about pioneers in the Martin and Willie Handcart companies in the Selected Handcart Stories for Youth Treks book.
Watch "Sweetwater Rescue" to learn the history of the Martin & Willie Handcart Companies. It is an informative 45 minute documentary.
Approved Resources for Handcart Pioneer Stories at MHHS
The following books and DVDs are available as resource materials for pioneer stories and other information for your pioneer trek at MHHS. While we do not make any specific recommendations, we have found that all offer a variety of stories and historical information to assist you. Many of these are available on Amazon.com or through church related bookstores.
The Price We Paid Andrew D. Olsen
Tell My Story, Too Jolene Allphin
Follow Me To Zion Andrew Olsen, Jolene Allphin, Julie Rogers
Journal of the Trail Stewart E. Glazier and Robert S. Clark
Tragedy and Triumph: Your Guide to the Rescue
of the 1856 Willie and Martin Handcart Companies
Howard K. Bangerter and Cory W. Bangerter
Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story (Book) Heidi Swinton
Sweetwater Rescue (DVD)
Handcarts to Zion Leroy R. and Ann W. Hafen
Rescue of the 1856 Handcart Companies Bartholomew and Arrington
History of the Saints – Season Three (DVD Series on the Handcart Pioneers)
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