Tracking Migration Using the Draper Manuscripts

Genealogical migration research faces significant hurdles when tracking ancestors across the early American frontier due to a widespread shortage of traditional records. In this engaging webinar hosted by Geoff Rasmussen, Accredited Genealogist Mary Hill illuminates a powerful but underutilized historical resource: the Draper Manuscripts. Compiled by historian Lyman C. Draper, this massive collection spans from the French and Indian War through the aftermath of the War of 1812, capturing unique personal and military histories between 1755 and 1840. The presentation demonstrates how these manuscripts serve as a critical bridge for family historians tracking ancestral families moving through the Trans-Allegheny West, including regions like the Carolinas, Virginia, and the Mississippi River Valley. By exploring this collection, researchers can uncover rich, firsthand details that reveal unexpected familial connections, resolve conflicting historical data, and breathe life into early frontier lineages.

• The collection is vast and uniquely structured into 491 thick volumes across 50 geographically and topically arranged series, capturing roughly 1.5 million names of frontier individuals.
• Although no comprehensive index exists for the entire collection, researchers can successfully navigate the manuscripts using specialized tools such as Josephine Harper's written guide, nine unique regional calendars, and five fully indexed student documentaries.
• Successful search strategies require family historians to look beyond basic queries by compiling lists of target names, variant spellings, local military figures, ancestral neighbors, and the surnames of daughters' spouses.

To fully master the unique alphanumeric indexing system and discover how to locate these microfilmed or digitized records across more than 90 national libraries, viewing the full webinar is highly recommended. The presentation provides a captivating real-world case study tracing the Riddle family across multiple states, illustrating how traditional family legends can be verified or corrected through deep archival research. Genealogists are invited to explore the extensive additional resources included in the accompanying five-page syllabus, which features a comprehensive listing of 15 to 20 valuable search websites and library resource links. Immersing oneself in these materials will provide family historians with the exact practical tools needed to embark on their own successful Draper treasure hunt and preserve their ancestors' frontier legacies.