Semi-Centennial Commission Book of the Pioneers

Dates: 1897.

1.00 cubic foot and 1 microfilm reel

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Historical Note

An agency history is available.

Scope and Content

The "Book of the Pioneers" was created as a record of those who arrived in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake during 1847, including the names, ages, autographs, and places of residence of all known survivors on 24 July 1897, the year of the jubilee. Separated into two volumes, pioneers with surnames beginning with A through L are grouped in volume 1 and those starting with M through Z are found in volume 2. Included are lists of members and survivors of the Brigham Young Company, the general emigration, the Mormon Battalion, and the Mississippi Company, as well as a table of the states and nationalities of the survivors. Reproduced in volume 1 is an early photograph of Utah pioneers taken on Temple Square 24 July 1897, by Springville, Utah, photographer Geo. Ed Andersen. A brief history of the commission appears in volume 1. Some of the jubilee activities covered in volume 2 include: history and dedication of the Pioneer Monument (Brigham Young Monument), the pioneer badge, the pioneer poem, the pioneer ode, the Hall of Relics (including a photograph of the exterior), and the Historians' Finale, a brief description of more prominent phases of the festival.

Arrangement

Alphabetical by surname of the individual

Research Note

The original paper volumes of the "Book of the Pioneers" were transferred to State Archives from the Utah State Historical Society in December 2007.

Related Records

Administrative records from the Semi-Centennial Commission, Series 1195, include a "Catalogue of Relics, Souvenirs, and Curios Associated with the Pioneers of Utah" and a record of expenditures for compiling the "Book of the Pioneers."

Custody History

Prior to its dissolution in 1898, the commission deposited its records in the archives of the state. The twelfth Utah legislature in 1917 designated the State Historical Society of Utah as custodian of all records of historic value. The volumes remained with the State Historical Society following removal of the newly independent Utah State Archives in 1969. The archives holds a microfilm copy only.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Processing Note

Archival processing was completed in January 2001 by W. Glen Fairclough, Jr.

Indexing Terms

• Pioneers—Utah.
• Utah—Centennial celebrations, etc.