__________

HISTORICAL
PIONEER
RESEARCH
GROUP
__________

In 1846 they left their homes, fleeing from mob violence in Nauvoo, Illinois, they journeyed across a muddy, cold Iowa to the Missouri River to what was then the border of the United States. Then into Indian Territory (Nebraska), they sought safety for a season. They built their Winter Quarters and 90+ Iowa settlements. Five hundred of their most able bodied men enlisted in the Mormon Battalion to defend the United States in the war with Mexico. Most would continue to the Salt Lake Basin. Some would stay in the fertile hills and hollows of Iowa.


THERE BEGAN THE STORY OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINT PIONEERS AT THE MISSOURI.

WHO WERE THEY?

PIONEER RESEARCH
Early Latter-day Saint and
Winter Quarters BYU Project Databases


WHERE DID THEY LIVE, DIE?

CROSSROADS TO THE WEST
We invite you to experience the 1846-185 pioneer
sojourn along the Missouri through this interactive
tour is available on computers and mobile devices.

WHAT WAS THEIR STORY?

SOJOURN IN THE WILDERNESS
Animated pioneers share their stories
before they trekked west.



We seek to preserve for descendants of the pioneers and all who share in their legacy, their story of faith and fortitude.

Presented in a genealogical database.
Database sources:

Nauvoo Land and Records collections
Ronald G. Watt's Iowa Branch Index, 1839-1859 Settlement and Branch records from the LDS Church History Library Journals and Family records.

The database is searchable by:
People
Families
Places
Birth, marriage and death (dates)
SEARCH
Information gathered from Nauvoo Land and Records, and original records from Camp of Israel Schedules and Reports, Winter Quarters Wards and Iowa Branches gathered by Ronald G Watt and other primary records from the Church History Library.
SEARCH

First/Given Name:
 


Last/Surname:
 

The goals of the WQ Project are to identify pioneer settlements near Winter Quarters.  The time period covered is from 1840-1862.  We have searched for settlements, their residents, their histories, and their burial sites.
The database focuses on:

Settlement histories which includes:
   Location
   History
   Possible births, marriages, and deaths
   Residents
   Possible cemetery location

Burial plot maps for Cutler's Park and the Winter Quarters Cemetery which include:
Persons buried, their biographies, causes of death, if known, with definitions of the causes

Early burials from some Iowa pioneer cemeteries which include:

Pictures of tombstones
Information transcribed from tombstones
This mobile tour guide will help trace the footsteps of early Latter-day Saints in the Winter Quarters area and the Iowa settlements. Routes to the locations are  developed using Google maps and explanations of the area deepens appreciation for the stay at the Missouri River before moving west.

This unique virtual tour book was authored by noted historian, Gail George Holmes. His work is organized with chapters, each telling a segment of the story of the Latter-day Saint pioneers and their sojourn at the Missouri River.

Viewing the video above, learn how the pioneers ferried across the Missouri River.
Chapters: 1-5 A chronological review of the history of the area.

Chapter 6: Settlements are listed in alphabetical order.

Chapter 7: Latter-day Saint cemeteries are arranged by state, county and cemetery.

Appendices show overlays of the area rivers in the mid 1800s compared to their routes today as well as historic map overlays identifying places not noted on today's maps.
When a site of interest is found you can be routed to the location through Google Maps.
The virtual tour is enriched with the addition of graphic, audio and visual files, and links to Internet data with further information.

History comes alive when experienced through the interactive software of Map-N-Tour. Telling history through the use of this technology engages all generations, helping them explore and understand their legacy. By experiencing the spirit of places, insight and appreciation is gained for those who resided there.
Crossroads is Hosted by
Map-N-Tour
Find Map-N-Tour at your app store
The Sojourn in the Wilderness project by the Historical Pioneer Research Group is a series of animated pioneer photos (using artificial intelligence (AI)) telling the stories of the pioneer members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Iowa settlements along the Missouri River during their stay.
This Weeks Highlighted
Pioneer and Settlement
Abel Galland - Galland's Grove
Upcoming Pioneer Video Stories

Alpheus Cutler - Cutler's Park
Dominicus Carter - Carterville
FOLLOW US ON:
During the spring and summer of 1846, many pioneer companies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints … assembled at the Grand Encampment near today’s Council Bluffs, Iowa. Here they prepared for their westward trek to the valley of the Great Salt Lake. As more and more wagon trains arrived week after week, they camped further and further east.

When the dry heat of July came, captains of wagon trains started looking for other places to camp. One by one, the wagon trains left Grand Encampment and went where they could find uncontested access to more wood, water, and grass to sustain them until they began their journey to the Great Basin. Some pioneers crossed the Missouri River, to Indian Territory (today’s Nebraska) to prepare for their trip west.

But most stayed on the Iowa side of the Missouri River to organize more than ninety communities scattered throughout southwestern Iowa. Among those settlements were established burial grounds for the many whose lives ended before they could reach the valley.

Along the hills, hollows and prairie land are scattered more than 60 cemeteries. Through the use of ground penetrating radar the Historical Pioneer Research Group have identified five long-lost burial sites.
ABOUT THE HISTORICAL PIONEER
RESEARCH GROUP, INC
The Historical Pioneer Research Group, Inc is a
not-for-profit organization in the state of Nebraska.

All donations to the HPRG are tax-deductible.

Donations can be sent to
Historical Pioneer Research Group, Inc.
PO Box 291 Elkhorn NE 68022
ATTN: Maury Schooff, Treasurer
FOLLOW US ON:
Copyright 2023 © Historical Pioneer Research Group, Inc

This site is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church).

The views contained therein are those of the owner and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The painting "Kanesville 1852" is used by courtesy
of the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County,
Council Bluffs, Iowa

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND COMMENTS, CONTACT US AT

HPRG@EARLYLDS.COM