WHAT IS A UTAH PIONEER?


Who qualifies as a Utah Pioneer? Surprisingly, most people who came west before the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on 10 May 1869 are considered to be Utah Pioneers. 

People may think they had to be LDS (Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon Church) to be a Utah Pioneer but that would be untrue. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers have the particulars on their website but I have made a copy that is easier to follow that includes maps, the link is here: 

Pioneer Qualifications with Maps


Here is the text of the document without maps:

What is a Utah Pioneer?

Courtesy of the International Society of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers

A person who traveled to or through the geographic area covered by the State of Deseret/Utah Territory between July 1847 and 10 May 1869, such as,

  • Trappers and hunters
  • Freighters
  • Members of wagon companies (Mormon or Non-Mormon)
  • Members of Mormon Battalion who traveled to or through the geographic area covered by State of Deseret/Utah Territory before the completion of the railroad, 10 May 1869
  • Members of Johnston's Army who traveled to or through the geographic area covered by Utah Territory between 1857-1858 (Utah War, 1857-1858)
  • Passengers of Ship Brooklyn who settled in San Diego, San Bernardino, or traveled to or through geographic area covered by State of Deseret/Utah Territory
  • Workers on the railroad in geographic area covered by Utah Territory before 10 May 1869
  • Died along the way after crossing the Mississippi River  (Including those from February 1846 & Winter Quarters)
  • Traveled from any direction: north, south, east, or west to or through the geographic area covered by the State of Deseret and/or Utah Territory.


Native Pioneer: Individual who was born in the Utah Territory before 10 May 1869

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