Research Guidance
Perpetual Emigrating Fund Research Guide
This section will provide you with some suggestions to help guide your PEF-focused research. Also, it is important to keep in mind that original records are not always complete, some records are missing, and others have been lost to time.
Search Terms and Key Words
Many collections and items related to the PEF are digitally available to researchers. It is common to see the company name referred to as the Perpetual Emigration Fund or as the Perpetual Immigrating (or Immigration) Fund in both primary and secondary sources. When conducting research, it is best to search by each possible name. Many items, such as personal journals and correspondence, include references to the PEF. Not all such items have been identified or included in this research guide. However, they can be found by searching the Church History Catalog.
Periodicals and the Journal of Discourses
Many early Church newspapers and publications, such as the Millennial Star, The Mormon, The Frontier Guardian, and others, include articles and information about the PEF. Most of these newspapers have been digitized and are available to view through the Church History Catalog. Individual newspaper articles regarding the PEF have not been included in this research guide.
References to the PEF can also be found in talks given by General Authorities found in the Journal of Discourses. The Journal of Discourses is available online through digital collections at the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University. The individual digitized volumes are word searchable. Textual copies of the Journal of Discourses are available at the Church History Library. Like newspaper articles, individual talks about or that reference the PEF have not been listed in this research guide.
Additional Sources
Not all PEF records are owned or housed at the Church History Library. While many early Church publications have been digitized and are available through the Church History Catalog, others can be found on websites like Utah Digital Newspapers or Archive.org. These are not Church-sponsored websites, and the Church does not endorse the content. Some nondigital PEF records are housed at other institutions such as Brigham Young University or the University of Utah.