{"id":55595,"date":"2020-01-21T11:13:59","date_gmt":"2020-01-21T16:13:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=55595"},"modified":"2023-06-21T16:47:04","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T20:47:04","slug":"the-westward-expansion-your-pioneer-ancestors-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/the-westward-expansion-your-pioneer-ancestors-journey.html","title":{"rendered":"The Westward Expansion: Your Pioneer Ancestors\u2019 Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever wondered whether your ancestors<\/a> were pioneers who blazed their way toward the Pacific during the Westward Expansion? The history of the United States is brimming with stories of families who left their entire lives behind to forge a new independence in the West. Even so, many people have no idea how their family arrived at their place of birth.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: \u201cBreaking Up Camp at Sunrise,\u201d by Alfred Jacob Miller, c. 1859. Credit: Walters Art Museum; Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you live west of the Mississippi territory, chances are your family were such trailblazers at one time, part of the \u201cManifest Destiny\u201d movement in American history. Thanks to online census data<\/a>, it\u2019s never been easier to track the path of your ancestors and learn more about your family\u2019s history and their settlement out West.<\/p>\n

What Was the Westward Expansion?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The United States experienced a major shift during the 19th century, as thousands of people embarked on their own unique journey west. Some were simply looking for a better life or a new opportunity, while others were searching for gold or fleeing religious persecution. Each individual expedition contributed to the spread of people across the continent\u2019s plains, leading to the America we know today.<\/p>\n

Why People Moved West<\/strong><\/p>\n

When looking at the Westward Expansion timeline, it is easy to pinpoint a start. The United States completed the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, acquiring much of the modern Midwestern and Rocky Mountain states, along with a big part of Louisiana and Arkansas. This led to thousands of Americans moving to regions where they could become landowners, starting new lives away from the bustling Eastern cities.<\/p>\n

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, from May 1804 to September 1806, was the spark that led to the development of trails spanning the nation.<\/p>\n

While there were various trails that pioneers used on the Westward Expansion, three are especially significant: the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, and the Santa Fe Trail.<\/p>\n

The California Gold Rush of 1849 initiated an expanded migration west, as thousands more Americans left their homes seeking riches, wealth, and economic opportunities. Over the remainder of the century, the entire western part of the continent would slowly develop into what is today the continental United States.<\/p>\n

Using Census Data to Uncover Your Family\u2019s History<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are several mechanisms available that you can use to uncover your own family\u2019s story during the Westward Expansion. Luckily, the United States government has kept records throughout its history that can help you with your search. One of the most useful record-keepers is census data.<\/p>\n

The National Archives Census Data<\/strong><\/p>\n

The National Archives <\/a>is an excellent resource to begin tracing your family history. This collection lets you search through several different types of records to help you learn about your family\u2019s story:<\/p>\n