California Wagon Train Lists, Louis J. Rasmussen, San Francisco Historic Records, 1994Mr Rasmussen spent over 30 years preparing this book. Information was gleaned from newspapers, rare books and special collections at major California libraries. It lists the names of an estimated 15,000 people who crossed the plains by wagon train during the period from April 1849 to October 1852. Some people are listed individually and others as members of groups or companies traveling together. Each listing is preceded by a source citation. About one third of the book is devoted to a surname index which lists all of the people mentioned in the body of the work.
If you feel that your ancestors crossed the plains during this time period, you should definitely check this source for information about them. Also, check for the names of other families that you think might have been traveling with them.
These California libraries have the above item:
- California State Library, Sacramento
- California State Library, Sutro
- California State University, Chico | San Bernardino | Stanislaus
- Carlsbad City Library
- Contra Costa County Library
- El Dorado County Library
- Huntington Library
- Los Angeles Public Library
- Marin County Free Library
- Nevada County Library
- Oakland Public Library
- Placer County Library
- Sacramento Public Library
- San Jose Public Library
- Santa Clara Public Library
- Santa Cruz Public Library
- Society of California Pioneers Library
- Sonoma County Library
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Southern California
- Workman & Temple Family Homestead Museum