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Westward Ho! But How?
Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL
Before the American Civil War, great numbers of United States citizens headed west for military service in the
Mexican War period or after, to seek riches in California's gold fields, or to farm the fertile valleys of Oregon
and Washington. Many had no choice but to amble across the great American prairies in ox-drawn wagons, an
often-grueling journey of an entire summer's duration. Other travelers sailed around South America, a journey
that could take as long as seven months. Fortunate travelers could cut their travel time to as little as two to
three weeks from New York to San Francisco. These travelers to the West took a steamer from eastern or southern
ports to Panama, then rode the railroad across the Isthmus of Panama, and hopped another steamer from the west
coast of Panama to United States western ports.
Where are the records of these immigrants to the United States West? This lecture focuses on Americans who
traveled west by way of Panama, and the records they left. Of course, many can be documented from NARA's passenger
arrival records at various U.S. West Coast ports. But what of those who died of cholera outbreaks while waiting
in Panama? This lecture will identify sources of records for military and civilian travelers who were able to move
more quickly and easily from eastern or southern American soil to the West Coast, and for the unfortunate ones who
died en route.
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