Venturing Forth: The Story of the Family of George and Margaret Nelson

by Jack E. Nelson

Here is a chance for you to get better acquainted with the Nelson family's roots. This book examines the family's humble beginnings in Denmark and traces the immigration of family members to America in 1853 on a ship carrying Mormon pilgrims bound for Utah. After landing in New Orleans, they progressed up the Mississippi River and crossed Iowa in covered wagons. Based on old journals and letters, oral traditions, military files and census records, the book tells the story of George and Margaret's defection from the Mormons, George's involvement in the Union Army during the Civil War, the difficulties the family faced while living in Missouri, and the migration of members of the second generation and their families to California, Colorado, Oregon, and Montana

175 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that probably serves no purpose to the average reader. A lot of the most interesting bits are family legend more than historical fact. It does a lot to disillusion the romanticism of homesteader life (I swear every letter the kids sent to each other starts with some version of "life is very dull here".

But my genealogy passes through George and Margaret Nelson, so for me, this is personal, and I really enjoyed holding and having this little piece of my history.