Howdy, I suppose this laps a little my prior "24 hours on the Trail" posting.- hope not too much, diferent sources. Let's pick up with some thoughts gleemed from George STEWART's "The California Trail:" Wagon train life was similar to life in a village - under abnormal conditions. Presumably, most of the folks at the trip's start found this new life interesting and challenging. Many lived on isolated farms or tiny settlements. Now, in a big ole train, they sometimes were thrown in contact with a hundred or more people - a new, stimulating experience. Meeting, talking, and exchanging ideas with new men and women created an unprecedented situation. Even though the emigrants probably never heard of vacations, a vacation spirit, as we know it, prevailed. Even as a village, these emigrants didn't have their regular work of plowing, reaping, buying and selling - no building or milling either. But they did work. Under these abnormal conditions, it assumed the role of play - almost:-). The men's main job was to move the wagons a requisite distance each day. In addition, they handled/herded the animals/stock; did the odd repair job; and sometimes hunted and fished. For the women, it was mostly work as usual - like at home. In addition to tending the babies and the older kids, they cooked the meals; washed and mended the clothes; and, on occasion, cleaned the wagon:-)) But on the trail the meals were simple and housekeeping rules relaxed - sorta like at summer camp. This vacation trip was really a spirit of traveling - for many a most pleasant state of mind. While on the trail, life was reduced to a simple daily problem of traveling the required distance. Make their 15 or so miles; and they could sleep peacefully without the slightest worry of what they would do when they got to California. Or, for that matter, why they were going in the first place:-) The die was cast. Tomorrow would take care of tomorrow. Now as a member of a village, these once isolated folks changed. Talk was endless - so was gossip, I suspect:-). One diarist picks up on this new village life: "Our camp this evening presents a most cheerful appearance. The prairie, miles around us, is enlivened.with groups of cattle, numbering six or seven hundred, feeding upon the fresh green grass. The numerous white tents and wagon-covers before which the camp-fires are blazing brightly, represent a rustic VILLAGE; and men. women, and children are talking, playing, and singing around them with all the glee of light and careless hearts. While I am writing, a party at the lower end of the camp is engaged in singing hymns and sacred songs." Unfortunately, this pastoral scene was recorded early in their journey. Later as the trip progressed and the emigrants grew travel-weary, as the song says "There's trouble in River City:-). One serpent in this paradise, as you might guess, came from throwing young men and women together in close proximity. Without suggesting hanky-panky:-), some of the numerous trail marriages, as Stewart says, "may have been, indeed, both 'post hoc' and 'propter hoc[:-))???] And there was sickness. Although during most ot the early years, the emigrant's health as a whole was good. 'But old malarias flared; bouts of diarrhea and dystentery - and then there was cholera. Fortunately, accidents were few. Occasionally a small boy caught himself under the wagon wheels. As Stewart says " you wonder how even a small boy could manage to be run over by a vehicle going TWO miles an hour.":-)) Usually, the emigrants armed to the teeth. But with no broad safety instructions, and their general unfamiliarity with firearms, many were shot accidently. Stories of the unintentional discharge of pistols and rifles fill their diaries and journals. Often the bullets missed; but many found the body of an animal or person. . With the numerous rivers to follow and cross there were numerous drownings. Somewhat surprising since most of the streams/rivers were extremely shallow Generally, the numerous quarrels ended with fistifcuffs. Nearing journey's end - the novelty gone - cabin fever prevailed, and some arguments moved to knifings and an occasional murder. Even in an unrooted village, they did have a govenment of sorts. Space prevents detailing the early emigrant company organizations -previously posted a little on it. The wagon trains had their captain with certain powers/duties/responsibilities. But these were more for routine day to day decision making. As Stewart puts it: "...He[the captain] could settle minor disputes, if any were brought to him. But he could be deposed by a simple majority vote, and often was. "The ultimate power of action remained with the individual - in particular, with the owner of the wagon. The company may thus be compared to an alliance or confederation of sovereign powers, not to a unified nation." Stewart ends our discussion with: "The Great Trek in South Africia supplies the closest parallel. In numbers this exodus of the Boers was probably less than one tenth of its American counterpart, and the distance traveled was generally less than half....There is no evidence that it had any influence upon the American migration. The people of the United States may, therefore, rightly regard the covered wagon as one of their most cherished symbols - and may do so proudly." THE END - at last:-))) I thought this was sorta fun,. Bob Norris in Dallas <BNorris166aol.com> .

Copyright law affects genealogists when we put together a family book, set up a website, or simply exchange information with someone. Learn what copyright means. Find out what's legal and what isn't. SPEAKER: Al Jones, Attorney and Past President of the Santa Clara County Historical & Genealogical Society DATE: September 17 7:00 PM PLACE: Community Meeting Room, Santa Clara City Library 2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara Hope to meet another CA-GOLDRUSHER there! Carolyn

Hello, I am new to the list and am interested in learning if any information is available on my ancestor Benjamin Franklin Mason who drowned at Grizzly Flat, El Dorado County CA on June 9,1858. Would there have been a newspaper notice, or death certificate? Does anyone know if there is a Grizzly Flat cememtery where he might be buried? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Joyce Mason Palm Springs, CA

>My areas of special interest are the French, Mariposa County, Santa >Clara County, researching localities of the old mining communities, ole >JR Norris, and the BERRYESSA family! > >It would be nice to know the areas of special interest from other >listmembers:-) I'm researching the descendants of James SULLIVAN, b. 1814 in Ireland, who arrived about Jan. 1850 with his wife Bridget and three small daughters (Mary, Delia and Ellen), set up Sullivan & Secor, coopers, with Theodore SECOR, and for whom Sullivan Alley (now Shaw Alley) in San Francisco was named. James Sullivan's children were: 1. Mary (March 1844-Dec. 21, 1884), married Mattias RIEHM, lived in Virginia City, Nevada. Eight children. (My great-great grandmother) 2. Delia (1846-before 1926) 3. Ellen (1848-before 1926) 4. Margaret Virginia, (10 July 1851-15 March 1926) better known as the actress/dancer/singer Maggie MOORE. See http://www.geocities.com/heartland/bluffs/4646/clipdex.html for a sampling of articles about her. Married first J.C. WILLIAMSON, then Harry ROBERTS. No children. 5. Francisco, born after 1851, married John F.O. COMSTOCK, superintendent of the Underwriter's Fire Patrol. Two sons. Died after June 1926. 6. Katie, born after 1851, died before 1926. 7. James "Jimmy," a jig dancer, born after 1851, died before 1926. In addition to Jimmy and Maggie, two of the eldest girls also performed on stage; I'm trying to nail down which ones. Maggie got her stage name from a man who maried one of these sisters. Another of the sisters was married to Sam PIDGE, a saloon-keeper in Virginia City. I'm also interested in the early history of San Francisco, especially the early theatres (for obvious reasons) and the Vigilance Committees. Joann Betschart | [email protected] | The voice in my head snore | Genealogy: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Bluffs/4646 | Work: http://www.sacbee.com/neighbors/zones/eg_laguna (I'm just the copy editor)

Howdy, Seems to me that last year I posted a bunch of trailside recipes.Don't know where they are now - might have appended them to this posting. So, let's continue with some thoughts from George STEWART's "The California Trail." At the start of an emigrant's trip, groceries probably took up most of the wagon's space. One trail author warned: "Take plenty of bread stuff; this is the staff of life when everything else runs short." He recommended 200 lbs. per adult - mostly flour. The smart trailside cook took along plenty of yeast, and baked bread in a DutchOven (neato, but heavy:-) whenever possible - otherwise, the DO-made hot biscuits substituted excellently. Crackers or hardtack were another breadstuff. For a variety, corn meal was used - especially by the emigrants from the Southern States. Of course, the cooking difficulty influenced food selection. For example, in the desert and along the Platte River fuel was scarce. Also, Stewart points out: " [I]n the high country water boils at a low termperature. Rice, therefore, was taken only in small quantities. The same was true of beans. These foods could be cooked only when the train laid over for a day at some place where fuel was abundant." A second staple was bacon, which also included side-pork. But bacon was pretty tough to keep, especially in the heat when the fat melted and left little that was edible - much became rancid. But bacon remained popular mainly because the emigrant was used to having it at home. It was cheap; and readily available. Some essentail supplements to breadstuffs and bacon were salt, sugar, coffee, and dried fruit. The caring cook also included tea, maple sugar, vinegar, pickles and smoked beef. Even though drinking on the trail was rare, most wagons had a bottle of whiskey stowed somewhere for: medicine, snake- bites &c.:-) While many canned goods such as beef, sardines, fruits, and cheese were available, they were expensive. Anyway, only a few emigrants were accustomed to such semi-luxuries. Supplementing their diets was sorta catch as catch can - a day to day process for the emigrants. In the early years, the emigrants were in buffalo country for a month or so - resulting in a number of buffalo steak dinners. Antelope were numerous; but they were small and hard to approach - not very good to eat either:-) Occasionally, they bagged deer, mountain sheep, bear and, some times waterfowl. If all else failed, the unpalatable jack-rabbit was available. The emigrants ate fish. On the prairie, the streams yielded good-eating catfish. In the mountains trout were prevalent. While they mostly angled(cf., Dame Juliana BERNERS' "Fysshynge wyth an Angle"(1496):-))), they sometimes seined - often improvising with wagon-top covers. Much of the country supplied various kinds of berries and wild onions; some plants, like lamb's-tongue, were cooked as greens. The slightly educated emigrant had little knowledge of dietetics -guess, they just ate what comes naturally:-) Aside from the few, hearbreaking instances of near-starvations, the emigrant had little dietary trouble in the early years. So far as I know, no diary mentions scurvy. A monotonous diet was their biggest complaint. One author noted that one of the first things the emigrant asked for on arrival in California was pickles:-). While few were rich, these people were not poverty-stricken and content with a 'hog and hominy" existence. As Stewart writes: "Many of the wifes prided themselves on Setting a Good Table. One man, invited to supper at the tent of a friend near Fort Laramie, recorded that he sat down to hot biscuits, fresh butter, honey, rich milk, cream, venison steak, and tea & coffee. AND there were green peas gathered that day from the wild vines along the trail." Who knows? If you don't run me off, there might be a Part 4:-)), Bob Norris in Dallas <BNorris166aol.com>

Here's a last minute notice for the exciting day planned for the Old Sacramento City Cemetery this Saturday. Try to attend!!! Thanks, Marilyn for letting us know the scheduled events. Patricia <[email protected]> louis demas wrote: > > Hi, > > The Cemetery exhibits open at 9:00 a.m; Lecture at 9:15 on > "Why the Cemetery is here", (All lectures are on on the > Firemen's Green); There is a tour starting at the "Firemens > Green (to the left of the enterance) at 9:45; Our First Funeral > re-enactment is 10:45, (Agnes Jaycoax, my H.S. Teacher) > (procession meets at enterance, public invited to join in > procession); Lecture "Victorian customs/Undertaking Etiquette > is at 11:15;; 11:45, Memorial of Gen Geo Wright; 12:00 noon is > a Bagpiper will be playing; 12:15 will be the Grand Enterance > of Queen Victoria, her visit is to Grace to our Victorian Garden > Cemetery and make note of it (this is truly a charming piece); > 12:45 Lecture on Victorian Artifacts; 1:15 Harmonium & Vocals; > 1:45 Victorian music; 2:45 the Funeral re-enactment of E.B.Crocker > another splendid job for this austere personage; lecture at 3:30 > Farewell in Splendor; more music & time for ehxhiits and displays. > Don't forget to take time to visit our archives and to appreciate > the beauty of this garden cemetery. I understand that the Archives > only opens at 10:00. I am forwarding this to NorCal in case some > one else wants this information. Look Forward to seeing you there. > > Marilyn = = = = =

The naming of California -several opinions Here from the Palo Alto Times, 1958 : Ever wondered where we got the name "California?" A lot of scholars have put in long research on that question. They've come up with a number of theories. But the matter is still open to debate in some quarters. Secretary of State Frank M JORDAN says the origin and meaning of California was a topic of vast speculation from the discovery of Lower Claifornia in 1533 until the middle of the last century. JORDAN, who has done some research of his own, reports that Catp. Frederick William BEECHLEY, the English explorer who visited San Francisco and Monterey in 1826, expressed belief the name originated from the Latin words "calida" and "fornax," meaning heat and furnace. Two noted Californians, Mariano G VALLEJO and Juan B ALVARADO, disagreed. They said California stemmed from the Lower California Indian term "kali forno", which translated as high hill and native land. In 1862, the American antiquarian, Edward Everett HALE, came up with what is commonly accepted now as the most likely origin. Hale informed an historical society that he found the name California in a romantic novel, "Las Sergas de Esplandian", printed in Seville, Spain, in 1510. Hale cited one passage which, he said , contains the first known use of the word California. That passage said in part: "At the right hand of the Indies there is an island called California, very close to that part of the terrestrial paradise, which was inhabited by black women without a single man among them, and they lived in the manner of Amazons." According to historian HALE, Hernando CORTES and other Spanish conquerors of Mexico were familiar with the novel. ========= from _The World Rushed In-, Holliday That gold should be found in a place so difficult to reach by land or by sea was foretold in 1510 when a romantic novel publised in Seville described "an island called California very close to the Terrestrial Paradise." Ruled by an Amazon queen named Calfia, "the island everwhere abounds with gold and precious stones and upon it no other metal is found". ========= and just for fun: The California Cooperative Latin American Collection Development Group, better known as CALAFIA, is a consortium of California libraries. CALAFIA enjoys the support and strength of the libraries at Stanford University, the University of California System,and the University of Southern California. The combined Latin American holdings of the CALAFIA group number more than one million volumes and are surpassed only by the Library of Congress’ Latin American Studies Collection. http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/hasrg/latinam/calafia/ Carolyn http://www.compuology.com/cagenweb/maripcty.htm

Lewis, WONDERFUL site!! Thanks so much for directing us to it. Is there no limit to the information on the net??? Thanks, RUTH _____________________________ Ruth & Don Skewis [email protected] > -----Original Message----- > From: Lewis M. Ruddick [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Thursday, September 10, 1998 7:56 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [CA-GOLDRUSH-L] Overland trail question.. > > > The term "overland" was on a publication date 1859 by Capt. Randolph B. > Marcy of the U.S. Army. Everyone interested in the material submitted > by my piscatorial friend, Bob Norris, should check this URL which has > the complete manuscript for overland travel written by Capt. Marcy for > the protection of western travelers. > > http://kuhttp.cc.ukans.edu/carrie/kancoll/books/marcy/index.html > > Lewis M. Ruddick > > > ==== CA-GOLDRUSH Mailing List ==== > Automatic Administrative Reminder: > There is a web page devoted to holding queries for the > "Most Wanted of our Lost in California Ancestors" for > members of this mailing list. Visit: > <http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8861/goldrush98.htm> > Short entries generally get the most attention. > > > > > > > >

The term "overland" was on a publication date 1859 by Capt. Randolph B. Marcy of the U.S. Army. Everyone interested in the material submitted by my piscatorial friend, Bob Norris, should check this URL which has the complete manuscript for overland travel written by Capt. Marcy for the protection of western travelers. http://kuhttp.cc.ukans.edu/carrie/kancoll/books/marcy/index.html Lewis M. Ruddick

Howdy, I recollect that in Part 1 we to decided to travel to Caliornia by covered-wagon. But we still had the question of whether to haul with horses, mules or oxen. Sorry, I vote against using horses. They have to be a lot more expensive. Also, while they may be faster than an ox and stronger than a mule, they are not tough enough for an every day, long haul to Californiee. Also, they are not good trail foragers. I suspect that people later on will figure out a way to utilize these fine animals for long hauling. Let's listen to George STEWART in "The California Trail" on mules or oxen: "As between mule and ox there was endless argument around the campfires, punctuated by tobacco juice spit into the embers: ' Mules move faster'. 'Yes, but oxen pull more'. 'Oxen don't stampede so easy'. 'But when they do, they run worse'. 'Mules bog down worse in mud.' 'But they can live on cottonwood bark'. 'The Sioux steal mules, but don't want oxen'. 'Oxen get sore feet when mules don't.' "Individual emigrants, fortunate enough to have a good team, became greatly attached to their animals, of either kind. One of them wrote enthusiastically of his MULES: 'It was a noble sight to see those small, tough, earnest, honest Spanish mules, every nerve strained to the upmost, examples of obedience, and of duty performed under trying circumstances. Stewart tells of another man wrote that he found the oxen 'greatly superior" and: "The ox is a most noble animal, patient, thrifty, durable, gentle and easily driven, and does not run off. Those who come to this country will be in love with their oxen by the time they reach here." Probably the mule vs.oxen debate was never completely settled. I suspect with good luck and good handling, either was highly satisfactory. Vice versa, with bad luck and bad handling, either could cause trouble, or even disaster. So far as I know, no scientific study was made to determine which animal was better. But as to the animals used, the numerical vedict strongly favor the ox. Also, another deciding factor was cost. One price list during the goldrush era, valued the mule at $75 and an ox at $25. Thus, in time, Ox-Team Emigrant, became a generic term.(Mostly from George Stewart's The California Trail,NY: McGraw-Hill Book Co, 1962) Maybe a Part 3 on "&c." tomorrow:-)), Bob Norris in Dallas <BNorris166aol.com>

> Jocelyns march from Reno, Nevada to Fort Bidwell, California - 1872 > > June 5, 1872. The baggage required for the camp each night is this morning > concentrated in the wagons moving most rapidly. Camp not broken until 6 > o'clock. March along west side of Alkali Lake passing sweet and abundant > water at 4 miles. At 10 o'clock reach "Sheep Head" station. Dis. 12 > miles. Excellent water here (spring). Milk is also to be had at station. > No vegetables except a few potatoes at 6 c. a lb. At noon cloudy but hot > with indication of thunder storm. Horns of a mountain sheep on spot hear > house. They weigh 19 lbs. Spring derives name from a sheep's head lying > near when discovered. Mosquitoes annoying. > > June 6, 1872. Notes for May 30 should show that four privates of my > company and one recruit for lst Cavy. deserted. Guard sent back to Reno > but failed to apprehend them. Probably went to Virginia city, 20 miles > from Reno. One of men, Murphey, lately enlisted, had lived or worked in > that vicinity and is believed to have led off the other men. Leave Sheep > Head this morning at 5. March nearly east for 10 miles to Buffalo > Spring--goodwater--standing water also passed on road; latter good. Here > commences a toll road extending 40 miles a little west of north. Two miles > on this road at the crossing of a small gravelly creek, encamped for the > night. Day's march 12 miles. Another road leading from Sheep Head towards > Surprise Valley passes through Smoke Creek Canon, west of toll road, the > latter having been lately built through Buffalo pass. Smoke Creek road > said to be longer and very rough. Judging by map it should be shorter. > Stage and mail from Susanville, Calif. to Bidwell strikes Smoke Creek road > at a station 8 miles from here. Hot at midday. No thermometer but should > say 90 in shade. > > June 7, 1872. Reveille at usual hour--camp broken at 5.15. Cool and > pleasant marching. Cross a high divide at 4 miles and enter Buffalo Canon > by easy grade. Beautiful, cool water in deep pools all along Canon. > Excellent grass. Reach meadow land at 7 miles from last camp. Road quite > new and too soft for heavy wagons. Buffalo Meadow Station reach at 10:20. > Distance 12 miles. Considerable stock grazed here; look fat and sleek. > Ask me 10c per lb. for beef alive. Piute Indians used here as laborers and > work well for 50c to 1.00 per day & "grub". > > June 8, 1872. Leave Buffalo Meadow at 5 a.m. Up a narrow canon for six > miles with very bad roads. Water all along and grass. Scenery > interesting. At 10 miles road crosses divide and descends to Wilkinson's > Spring. Water not abundant nor good. Encamp here--distance 12 miles. At > 6 p.m. heavy wagons not yet up. Traveler on horse back reports having > passed them half way down canon at 3 o'clock. No mosquitoes. For dinner, > bacon and ham, friend potatoes, biscuits, butter, hot cakes, syrup, > cucumbers and olives, coffee, Warc. (Worcestershire) sauce--Fore desert > preserved apples--ginger snaps. > > June 9. 1872. Remain in camp at Wilkinson Spring. Wagons all up at 1 p.m. > today. Breakfast later. For lunch bean soup, very good. Dinner as usual. > Men enjoy day's rest and need it. > > June 10, 1872. Reveille at 3 and march at 4.15. At about two miles spring > on right of road, perhaps a mile distant. (Surrounded by large willows). > Good grass at this point. Road from this point through desert and not > water for twelve miles; then cross beautiful clear stream (near Smith's > ranch) which sinks in Duck Flat to the left. Two miles further on we > strike mail from from Susanville to Bidwell and near here (at Curley's > ranch) encamp. Whole distance today 16 miles. Bad headache from marching > most of the day in hot sun. Better at evening. Stage just in from > Bidwell--Rumor that I will go to Warner, and that the Co. of lst Cavy. now > at Bidwell will remain there. Not desirable news. > > The end. > > Tim Purdy > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

The Overland Trip, Reno to Camp Bidwell, from Jocelyns diary along part of the march in the spring of 1872. May 30, 1872. Reveille at 3:00 a.m. Camp broken at 5. Marching east for four miles in the Truckee Valley a turn is made to the north and this vely left behind. No water afterwards until we reach Deep Wells (Graham's) Station were, at 2:00 p.m. we go into camp for the night in the midst of a violent norther and dust storm. A small pond or sink of fresh water one mile west of this damp. Distance from Reno, 16 miles. May 31, 1872. Rev. 3 a.m. March at 41/4. At 10 miles Warm Springs reached. Water slightly alkaline but clear and abundant. Cont. to travel abt. north. Two miles further enter Winnemucca Valley and soon cross small creek flowing through the valley into Pyramid Lake, ten miles to the east. Begins to rain at noon. Wagons mire in meadows. Camp made at Hepley's ranch at dark with one wagon still behind. Distance 15 miles. Here is a narrow fertile valley ten or twelve miles long with a dozen ranches and much stock. Springs flow out of mountains on either side at short intervals during its whole length. June 1, 1872. The morning is consumed in getting up the eagon--march at 11 a.m. Pass Dixon's and Chapman's ranches. Roads heavy with rain and hilly. Camp at dark at Milk ranch--distance 7 miles. Good water all the way. Sagebrush for fuel becoming scarcer as we get higher in the mountains. Milk, butter and vegetables at the ranches. 25 lbs. of butter per day made at the ranch where we are encamped. June 2, 1872. Rev. at 3. First wagon mired within one hundred yards of camp. At 8 o'clock train has not advanced more than one half mile. Cross large hill where it is necessary to double the teams. [This meant using twelve mules, instead of six, for each wagon,; first pulling one wagon up to the summit and then going back for another.] Newcombs ranch just on the other side with lake nearby. Four miles further still heavier hills, Fort Sage is reached. The whole distance 8 miles. June 3, 1872. Leave camp at 5. Troops march by old road, saving three miles and arrive at Fish Springs Station at 8 a.m. Distance marched 6 or 7 miles. Wagons arrive at noon by long (and easier) road--9miles--old road impassable for trains. This is a good station, plenty of hay and barley. Beautiful large spring of fresh water, filled with small fish. Long march tomorrow and the largest wagons are sent forward tonight over bad sluice three miles away. Day hot--evening pleasant. Station keeper an old solider--served two turns in the 14th Infantry. June 4, 1872. March at 4.30. Route over sagebrush desert destitute of water. Roads for five miles miles soft and miry, afterwards sandy. Troops pass oput of sight of wagons in few minutes. At 10 o'clock come in view of a large alkali lake lying in a basin to the north. Halt at deserted ranch nearby until 3 p.m. Wagons having then come up the march is continued to "Rotten Egg" (a sulfur and saline spring) which is reached at dark. Distance from Fish Springs--16 miles. .Note: They are now in the Smoke Creek Desert, Nevada.

Carolyn and all, We maintain 150 subscribers, and some days we gain a few or lose a few, like tonight it's 155. Hope the great articles keep coming, and it would be so nice to hear from any "lurkers" to see if this list is helping by filling their research needs. Thanks, Patricia <[email protected]> Rootsweb Sponsor & ListMom CA-GOLDRUSH-L (and -D) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = PJ -snipped my previous post & some of Carolyn's Carolyn Feroben wrote: > > I would also like to say welcome to the new and rejoined list members! > I am looking forward to your posts and hearing about your family ,your > geographical areas of interest, your research questions and your > research experiences and advice! > > It would be nice to know the areas of special interest from other > listmembers:-) > > Pat, How many listmembers do we have? > > Have fun, Carolyn > Mariposa County GenWeb Coordinator > http://www.compuology.com/cagenweb/maripcty.htm

Hi, Before I go on vacation and will be unsubcribing for a short while. I would like to know..... Would there have been a Overland trail or was this a term use in the 1850's for any trail that was over land rather then by sea? Also were there ships taking people back East or were passengers just going West? Thank You, Shirl

Zephyr wrote: > > Since the holiday weekend, many have joined (or re-joined) > the CA-GOLDRUSH lists, so I'm taking this opportunity to > greet you I would also like to say welcome to the new and rejoined list members! I am looking forward to your posts and hearing about your family ,your geographical areas of interest, your research questions and your research experiences and advice! My areas of special interest are the French, Mariposa County, Santa Clara County, researching localities of the old mining communities, ole JR Norris, and the BERRYESSA family! It would be nice to know the areas of special interest from other listmembers:-) Pat, How many listmembers do we have? Have fun, Carolyn Mariposa County GenWeb Coordinator http://www.compuology.com/cagenweb/maripcty.htm

Since the holiday weekend, many have joined (or re-joined) the CA-GOLDRUSH lists, so I'm taking this opportunity to greet you and to let you all know there is a web page devoted to our "Most Wanted Early California Ancestors..." You can visit the four pages already up at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8861/goldrush98.htm Be sure to read and comply with the rules posted on page 1, then read the queries already posted. You can formulate a query for your "Most Wanted..." and email as a regular CA-GOLDRUSH list message, using the subject: "Most Wanted" I will notify you as soon as your query is posted. Hope you receive the help you need on this list! PatriciaJ <[email protected]> Rootsweb Sponsor & ListMom CA-GOLDRUSH-L (and -D)

Hi; I have just joined this list from up here in the wilds of British Columbia. For 20 years I have been researching and writing on the B.C. goldrush, particularly the Cariboo. We are now working on a book on the women of the gold creeks and are finding, of course, that many folks here came from California. Particularly famous of course are those who came to the lower Fraser in 1858, just ahead of the vigilantes. We had no census until 1881 so much of our work in in police records and old diaries. Often the women are not emntioned, or at best tangentally, ie: "A son, born to Mr. xxx, Nov, 12 1866." If you are looking for folks who might have come this way let me know. I have many data bases built and lots of names. I will post those Californians I am looking for. Richard ************************************************************************"Ye ar 2000 Solutions Workshop" with Joe Boivin, Global Millennium Foundation; Oct 27, Williams Lake, Oct 28, Quesnel. A partnership of GrassRoots and Community Skills Centre. "Creative Media Relations Workshop", 2 days. With Jim Stanton, Ottawa and Richard Wright. Williams Lake, Jan, 12-13, 1999 and Quesnel Jan 14-15, 1999. "Y2K Risk Management Workshops", Stanton and Wright; 1998 & 1999. Call for schedule. Call for a Year 2000 Awareness presentation. ************************************************************************* GrassRoots Consulting--Public Relations, Communications, Community Economic Development--Richard Wright & Cathryn Wellner, 250-296-4432; fax 250-296-4250, Pioneer Ranch, Williams Lake, B.C., Canada ************************************************************************** For information on the ranch, livestock, house concerts and Wellner and Wright try: http://wlake.com/grassrts/homepg.htm **************************************************************************

Howdy, I suspect both my little One Hoss Shay po'm and the 24 hrs. on the trail posts got me back into this. I started looking through George STEWART's "The California Trail'. Even though I have posted some on wagons vs.pack trains from the journal of 49er August M. HESLEP. let's look at a little more from Stewart's book. Please feel free to jump in with your imput:-)) Evidently, the overland CA emigrant during the goldrush era, much like the OR-Oregon Trailer, sought travel-west advice for whatever source available. Unfortunately, those who followed the Santa Fe trade experiences were often misled. The pre-gold rush Santa Fe traders used big wagons, formed large companies, and organized military style - many times to their grief. The emigrant, many of whom were farmers long experienced in handling teams and wagons, were often the more successful. Their achievements gave birth to what soon became known as the COVERED-WAGON MIGRATION . Even with wagons as the more popular transport, many, gold rushers especially, traveled by pack train - using mules and occasionally horses. With their greater speed and easier handling in the desert, fording of streams and crossing mountains, they could often cut the California trip by a month or so. But the pack train had its disadvantages - not feasible with small children or a pregnant wife. As one ox-driver put it: "The pack-mule companies are a pitiful set of slaves. They have to sit on their mules roasting in the sun all day. If they get down to walk or rest themselves, they must be bothered leading the animals. When they stop at night, they must unpack everything. In the mornings they have to repack everything." Another little problem with a pack-train was what to do with an injured member. Suppose one of the packers breaks a leg, gets dysentery, or worse. In a covered-wagon, ,they they could place him in the wagon-bed and continue on. But in a pack-train, really no humane solutions. Stewart says that the pack train companies were almost entirely composed of young men(my 20yr.old ggf:-) who were "willing to risk their chances of getting through quickly against their chances of not getting through at all." But the covered wagon was no lark in the park - slow, heavy, cumbersome with constant break downs. It was a real pain when crossing rivers, ravines, and mountains - not to mention rocky or sandy country. Flipping, the wagon served as a home on wheels, an ambulance, and, OF COURSE:-), a fortress against attack. Requiring little packing and unpacking, it also carried more heavy baggage/equptment per animal . Limited posting space allows little elaboration. But the wagon commonly used by the emigrants was not the big ole boat-like Conesta Wagon with "a sway-backed cover that overhung front and rear," which we often see depicted.. While the huge land schooners were used earlier in PA and with the Santa Fe Trail traders, these oversized cruisers didn't function well along the twisting and hilly trails of California. Stewart reports that the emigrants mostly used a small 9 or 10 foot covered wagon, which looked sorta like a small loaf of bread loaf placed on a wagon-bed or a buck-board.Also, there were a few medium sized wagons with sloping sides and ends. If the emigrant had a big family or an extra heavy load, he generally found that a couple of the little wagons worked better than a big 'un. OK, now that we have chosen the covered wagon as our vehicle/transport.. What are we going to use to haul it - horses, mules or oxen? TO BE CONTINUED. Let's think about it:-) - see ya tomorrow, Bob Norris In Dallas <BNorris166aol.com>

Bob Norris wrote: Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 21:59:29 EDT From: <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: [CA-GOLDRUSH-L] Commodore Robert F. STOCKTON - need a 1848 to 53 bio Howdy - I refuse to give up:-)) I have been unable to find any serious mention of Commodore Robert F. STOCKTON from 1849 on in my Mariposa County research. I am NOT interested in further information about his participation in the War of 1846. Nor in his relationship/fight conspiracy/whatever with/between he, General Stephen Watts KEARNY and John C. FREMONT. I have reams of this information. I need any biography that details/mentions STOCKTON'S life in California from the discovery of gold in 1848 until he left CA and became a U.S. Senator(NJ?) from 1851 - 1853. I am still trying to follow up the "Mariposa Gazette" article saying that my ggf J.R. NORRIS was at one time STOCKTON's "agent and business manager." Neither I nor the Maiposa History Center have found anything further. The 1851 to 1854 time period is my prime target. ================================ Bob, At long last I have found the "missing years" you are looking for . And to think that he was in Santa Clara Valley! I found this reference in _Historic Spots in California:Counties of the Coast Range_ by Hoover. Rancho El Potrero de Santa Clara (I'll skip the early history and take you to 1844) After the secularization of the Missions, this land reverted to the Mexican government; and in 1844 Governor Manuel Micheltorena granted El Potrero de Santa Clara (the pasture lands of Santa Clara) consisiting of one square league, to James Alexander FORBES, a native of Scotland, who had arrived in Alta California in 1830 or 1831. Mr FORBES had been naturalized as a Mexican citizen ten years previous to receiving this rancho and in 1834 had married Ana Maria, daughter of Juan Crisostomo GALINDO , claimant of Mission lands near Milpitas. After holding his rancho a few years, he sold it to Commodore STOCKTON, to whom it was twice confirmed; in 1853 by the Land Commission, and in 1855 by the District Court. It was known for a long time as the Stockton Ranch. After appointing Colonel John Fremont to take the governorship in January of 1847 he (Stockton)started home on June 20, 1847, across the Rockies with his small and heterogeneous collection of men(?). The rancho which he purchased from James Alexander FORBES lay in the angle formed by the Alameda and the Guadalupe River and was well watered by ditches dug from that stream to the vicinity of Mission Santa Clara. Three business ventures in California are credited to the Commodore, who resigned from the Navy in 1850; a nursery for the propagation of fruit trees, a residential subdivision called Alameda Gardens, and the importation of houses from the East around the Horn! All of these projects arose from the one idea of the establishment of pleasant living condidtions for families in this new part of the United States. Although he had returned to California in 1848, the carrying out of his ideas must have BEEN DELEGATED TO RESPONSIBLE AGENTS (this is where I got real excited!!)as Stockton was a United States Senator serving in Washington for his native state of New Jersey for the the term of 1851-1853. Nursery stock, was ordered from HOVEY's Nursery in Massachusetts in 1852. FOX and EGAN came and were in charge of the stock. The nursery was well established by 1853.It is believed that Stockton was the first to import strawberry plants to the Santa Clara Valley. He also had James F KENNEDY, native of Pennsylvania, a salesman from Hoveys (?) come out to manage the rancho. For the Alameda Garden subdivision the Commodore ordered houses to be made in New England ready to be erected in California (prefab housing!) after coming around the Horn. The first shipment meet with misfortune (no details given). The second shipment, was smaller, and the ten homes were erected. (At the writing of this-1936-only one left standing-the address given as the corner of Newhall and Spring Streets) Sorry Bob that ole JR in not mentioned here but it does give us new clues, possibilities and new energy!!. (I am assuming that you have not received this info off line-) Carolyn- Santa Clara! http://www.compuology.com/cagenweb/maripcty.htm

Here is a new site of 1850's Passenger lists on-line . http://www.maritimeheritage.org/ Read about this great new project and then click on the passenger lists. The Nicaragua route was made popular by Cornelius Vanderbilt, who developed the route in competition with the Pacific Mail Line, which had joined the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via the overland Panama route. Vanderbilt's route was easier in that passengers covered most of the journey between the oceans by small boats and steamers across Lake Nicaragua. Passengers travelled by mule only a dozen miles to reach the Pacific Ocean. The following ships brought passengers to San Francisco during the 1850s. The lists will be added as time permits. ==== Ok, now you'll have to go the site to see what ships lists are posted and the ships that will soon be added! Hope you find your folks there! Have fun, Carolyn