Online Resources

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company church train accounts, 1861–1868 (CR 376 8)

Prior to the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, PEF pioneers were typically organized into wagon trains. This collection contains PEF freight manifests, captains’ accounts, and wards’ accounts created between the years 1861 and 1868.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company index to Ledger B, 1854–1867 (CR 376 9)

This item is the index to Ledger B. The ledger was indexed for convenience because of the complex and high-volume information recorded by the company.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company donation record, 1869–1885 (CR 376 10)

Donation records were kept by wards and by the PEF offices. This is a PEF Company donation record book. It includes donations made between 1869 and 1885. Included in the record are the names of donors, the dates donations were made, and donation amounts.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company emigration bills receivable, 1878–1886 (CR 376 11)

This ledger includes the names of people who owed debts to the PEF and the amounts they owed for the years 1878–1886.

Names of persons and sureties indebted to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company, 1877 (CR 376 12)

This is a copy of a Church-printed and Church-published pamphlet listing the names of those in debt and includes the 1878 circular letter issued by President John Taylor.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company outfitting reports, 1866 (CR 376 13)

Outfitting reports include lists of provisions, wagons, stock, and other items supplied and donated by wards.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company receipts and orders, 1854–1863 (CR 376 14)

Promissory notes, receipts, orders, and other documents related to the PEF accounts of individuals can be found here. In addition, there are documents that show how the PEF interacted with other Church offices such as the General Tithing Storehouse and General Tithing Office.

Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company outfitting stations accounts, 1855–1856 (CR 376 15)

This collection contains the records kept by PEF agents at the outfitting (supply) stations in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska during 1855 and 1856. There is also some documentation for 1857, but the documentation for that year is limited. Of special interest are the supplies collected by handcart pioneers in 1856.

Mission, Ward, and Branch Records

Missions, wards, and branches played a vital role in the development and perpetuation of the PEF. Missionaries spread the gospel, baptized converts, and helped organize groups of people who wanted to go to Utah. Members of the Church were encouraged to donate money and goods to the PEF. Ward and branch records generally include the names and donation amounts of donors and identify emigrants. Mission records have similar records but also hold ship manifests and other related organizational documents.

European Mission emigration records, 1849–1925 (CR 271 25)

This collection includes ship manifests and names of ships and ports and often indicates how an individual or family paid for their passage. Some of the ledgers include specific columns that indicate which passengers borrowed against the PEF.

European Mission emigration records, Scandinavian Mission, 1852–1920 (CR 271 38)

This collection lists the names of emigrating Scandinavian members, the names of the ships they sailed on to England, and the names of the ships they were assigned to once they reached Liverpool, along with notations about their methods of payment, including PEF funds.

(Clitheroe Branch, British Mission) Perpetual emigration fund record, 1852–1855 (LR 2421 21)

Beginning on image 12, this record includes the names of individuals from the Clitheroe Branch who donated to the fund. It also identifies those members of the branch who emigrated.

Port Elizabeth Branch record, 1858–1864 (LR 7105 21)

The Port Elizabeth Branch in South Africa kept a record of PEF donors and emigrants from their area.

South African Mission account books, 1854–1863 (LR 8452 32)

The South African Mission account books provide additional information about how the PEF was utilized in that part of the world.

Circular Letters

Circular to presidents and bishops of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, throughout the Territory of Utah (M273.41 Y68c 1855?)

This is a circular letter sent in the 1850s with the names of those who owed money to the PEF and the amount of their debts. An accompanying statement from Brigham Young includes a potential “curse of the Almighty” for all those who did not repay their loans.

Circular from the Twelve Apostles (M252 C855c 1880)

This is an 1880 circular announcing that half of the PEF debt will be forgiven of “the worthy poor.”

Reports, Correspondence, and Personal Papers

Brigham Young correspondence, 1856–1857 (MS 21436)

Three letters in this collection cover disputes over money and spending, the introduction of handcart companies; deliberation over migration dates; and the Hunt, Hodgetts, Willie, and Martin companies.

Brigham Young office emigrating companies reports, 1850–1862 (CR 1234 5)

This collection contains progress reports and schedules from emigration companies. A few reports specifically identify PEF company passengers.

Joseph F. Smith letter, Liverpool, England to David K. Udall, 1877 June 12 (MS 6924)

This letter addresses payment for railroad travel of PEF passengers between New York and Utah. It also includes a list of the names and ages of those passengers, dated June 13, 1877.

Passengers’ contract ticket, 1856 March 18 (MS 11878)

PEF passenger ticket issued to Agnes Anderson and her sons for passage on the ship Enoch Train. Issued by Franklin D. Richards and signed by James Linforth.

Patty B. Sessions diary and account book, 1868–1888 (MS 12481)

In this personal record, Patty Sessions identifies when she donated to the PEF and the amounts of her donations.

Willard Richards letter, Salt Lake City, Utah, to Orson Hyde (MS 1490)

In this letter, Willard Richards informs Orson Hyde of the creation of the PEF.