{"id":55687,"date":"2020-01-24T11:17:50","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T16:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=55687"},"modified":"2020-07-06T15:34:07","modified_gmt":"2020-07-06T19:34:07","slug":"westward-expansion-map-part-of-your-familys-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/westward-expansion-map-part-of-your-familys-history.html","title":{"rendered":"Westward Expansion Map: Part of Your Family\u2019s History?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you live in a Western state, your ancestors<\/a> may have moved there during the great Westward Expansion. These early American pioneers<\/a> traveled thousands of miles on land by covered wagon, horseback, or even on foot to arrive where you are now.<\/p>\n

\"Map:<\/a>
Map: routes of the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails west of the Rocky Mountains. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With a Westward Expansion map<\/a> as a resource, you can trace your family history to learn whether your relatives were settlers that forged trails traversing the continent to the Pacific, creating the United States nation as it is today.<\/p>\n

Who Were the Pioneers?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The pioneers were made up of all types of Americans living across the Eastern United States who made the decision to embark on an expedition and move west when the United States began expanding in the early 19th century.<\/p>\n

Many of these Americans were simply looking to become landowners, as the country \u2013 after the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 \u2013 suddenly contained a wealth of newly available farmland perfect for territorial expansion. Others were looking to escape religious persecution, most notably the Mormons who moved west in a large wave. Some traveled west to California during the gold rush that began in 1849, hoping to strike it rich.<\/p>\n

All of these different groups suffered similar hardships, as the journey west was extremely perilous with disease, violence, and harsh weather threatening the pioneer caravans. The majority made the trip in a covered wagon, which has become emblematic of a pioneer family.<\/p>\n

Westward Expansion States and Trails<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pioneers during the Westward Expansion usually began their journey in either Missouri or Illinois. The major trails passed through various states, including Nebraska, Kansas, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, ending up in Nevada, California, Oregon, or Washington.<\/p>\n

The Major Trails<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pioneer settlers took a number of different trails on their journey west. However, there were several that are historically significant because of their popularity at the time. National Geographic<\/a> provides a westward expansion trails map that can be useful in determining whether your ancestors used them to move to your current home. Here is an overview of these main trails and the states that were involved.<\/p>\n

The Oregon Trail<\/strong> \u2013 This famous trail started in Missouri and moved through the Northern part of the United States, finishing in what is now Oregon and Washington. It was big enough to sustain large caravans of covered wagons, thus popular with pioneer families. If your family currently resides in Oregon or Washington, there is a good chance that they moved west on the Oregon Trail. Some also moved on to California.<\/p>\n

\"Map:<\/a>
Map: Oregon Trail. Credit: National Park Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Mormon Trail<\/strong> \u2013 This trail gets its name from Mormons seeking refuge in Salt Lake City, Utah. Many Mormons were cast out of their original communities due to religious persecution, so they moved west as a group and ended up in Utah, establishing a vibrant community there. Additionally, many settlers utilized the Mormon Trail and continued on to Nevada and Southern California.<\/p>\n

\"Map:<\/a>
Map: Mormon Trail. Credit: National Park Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The California Trail<\/strong> \u2013 Stretching from Missouri to Northern California, this trail passed through the Great Plains up into the Rockies and was commonly used during the Gold Rush. If your family lives in Northern California, it is possible that they came there on the California Trail.<\/p>\n

\"Map:<\/a>
Map: California Trail. Credit: National Park Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Santa Fe Trail<\/strong> \u2013 While this trail was initially geared toward trade, it became a popular route for pioneers and connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. It also enabled economic expansion as it was a prominent route for the transportation of goods. Many of the pioneers that used the Santa Fe Trail settled in Colorado and New Mexico, while some continued further west on the Gila Trail or Old Spanish Trail.<\/p>\n

\"Map:<\/a>
Map: Santa Fe Trail. Credit: National Park Service; Robert McGinnis, illustrator; Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While your family may have moved west on any of these major trails, there were various other routes that were utilized throughout the period of the Western Expansion.<\/p>\n

Of course, the final destination of these trails does not dictate where all the pioneers ended their journey. Many families stopped along the way, establishing communities in the various states that these trails passed through. Take a look at the Westward Expansion trails map<\/a> to determine how your ancestors may have arrived at your home state. Take your research a step further and search the 1800 census<\/a> to uncover even more details about your ancestors.<\/p>\n

Where Does Your Family Fit?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether your family fits into the U.S. Westward Expansion map depends on when your family moved west. The pioneer Westward Expansion is generally limited to the 1800s and includes all of the states west of the Mississippi River. The railroad increased immigration to Western states to record levels when the Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869, so it is possible that your ancestors moved to where you live now after the Westward Expansion of the early pioneers.<\/p>\n

If you want to uncover your ancestors\u2019 specific journey, or have further questions, you can search through publicly available census data from the National Archives<\/a> and US census records<\/a>, or employ a genealogy research company that can compile pioneer records from the 19th century. There is a large amount of information available on the early pioneers that can help you tell your family\u2019s story, so begin your own pioneer journey now to learn more about your ancestors and your heritage.<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n