On July 24 we celebrate Pioneer Day in Utah. It’s an official state holiday commemorating the arrival of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake valley on July 24, 1847. They were looking for a place of refuge after enduring religious persecution and being forced out of several states in the eastern United States. My ancestor Amasa Lyman was with the initial group that arrived July 24, 1847:
I have a rich pioneer heritage, with ancestors on every branch of my family tree among those who made the journey west from 1847-1864. My ancestors came to Utah from the eastern United States, England, Denmark, and Sweden. Most traveled the traditional route, arriving in the United States at New York, then making their way by train or steamship to Nebraska before joining a wagon company for the remainder of the journey.
Some took less conventional routes. The Robert and Lydia Munford family had to detour through Canada after arriving in New York City and then enter the United States again at Chicago because the Civil War was raging when they emigrated from England in 1864. Passenger trains were scarce, so they traveled in cattle cars. After entering Chicago, they traveled by steamer down the Missouri river, finally joining their wagon company at Wyoming, Nebraska. Another couple, William Ellis Banks and Ellen Eyre Banks, traveled a different route, emigrating first to Australia from England and then traveling to Utah via San Bernardino, California.
The youngest in my family to make the journey was William Ellis Banks, Jr. who was born in 1857 after their family arrived in San Bernardino from Australia and appears on the 1860 census in Parowan, Utah at age 2. Several others were under the age of 11 as they traveled. The eldest to make the journey was Robert Munford, age 72.
One of the things we have done to honor our pioneer ancestors is to participate in two different pioneer treks near Martin’s Cove and Rocky Ridge in Wyoming. Although our conditions were very different from theirs, these experiences helped me to better understand what their journey might have been like and what they were willing to sacrifice for their new-found religion. Their stories of strength and conviction have become a part of my family narrative. I often rely on their fortitude as I am navigating my own life.
Barry and I were leaders that traveled with hundreds of youth aged 14-18
Pictured here with our two sons
Do you have pioneer ancestors? FamilySearch has a really great discovery activity called My Pioneer Ancestors that shows your ancestor, their departure point, age at departure, the length of their journey, and which company they traveled with. It includes links to their profile page and to a page dedicated to information about the company they traveled with as well as links to photos, stories, and a “View My Relationship” button. This is a great interactive activity for Pioneer Day.
