How to use the new FamilySearch to learn about your ancestors

What do you know? Saints arrived in

Utah in 1847 The Martin Handcart

company was in 1856

The Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel site on LDS.org covers 1847–1868.

Saints expanded beyond Utah.

What does this suggest? Look for people who

were alive between 1847 and 1868.

Find individuals who died in Utah, or another western state, but were born somewhere else.

If married, they may have had children along the way.

What do you know? Born in England in 1820 Died in Utah in 1896

What does this suggest? He may have been an

convert in England and crossed by ship before crossing the plains.

He qualifies by dates and locations to be a pioneer.

What do you know? Born in Ohio in 1811 Died in Nevada in 1866

What does this suggest? He may have lived in

Nauvoo and crossed the plains

He qualifies by dates and locations to be a pioneer.

What do you know? Born in Virginia in

1813 Died in Virginia in

1869

What does this suggest? He does not qualify by

dates and locations to be a pioneer.

What do you know? Born in Georgia in

1817 Died in Utah in 1894

What does this suggest? He qualifies by dates

and locations to be a pioneer.

What do you know? Born in Georgia in

1820 Died in Mississippi

1883

What does this suggest? She does not qualify

by dates and locations to be a pioneer.

What do you know? Born in Vermont in

1822 Died in Utah 1907

What does this suggest? She qualifies by dates

and locations to be a pioneer.

Did they cross the plains by wagon or handcart or on foot?

What you know

Check the Family Group Record for dates and places for the person’s children

What do you know? 1st child Born in Nauvoo

1842 2nd & 3rd children born

in Missouri

What does this suggest? They may Qualify as

pioneers Parents may qualify as

pioneers

What do you know? The rest of the

children born in Utah

What does this suggest? They may Qualify as

pioneers Parents may qualify

as pioneers

Missionary work started very early in the church

Early Baptisms with later endowments of adults

Early Baptisms with later endowments of adults