I'm starting a project on the Great Emigration, the first wagon train

Question

Starting a new project is daunting, but I am very interested in the wagon train of 1843, in which were many ancestors of mine, one of which was perhaps the last survivor.

I'm looking for tips on how to present the page so that it looks good, is easy to use, and has sufficient source detail to be able to acquire a personal copy if available.

Any help on sourcing the 1000 or so people involved would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

Answer 1

You should probably look at the existing Westward Ho Project that already exists here on wikitree.   There are subcategories, one that includes Trails and Wagon Trains.

http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:Westward_Ho_Project

Comments

Yes, see my other question on this topic.

Answer 2

Hi Roger,

Your project page has been added to the Trails and Wagon Trains project page under the heading Oregon Trail.

For tips, a wonderful example of how these pages can look can be seen on the page done for The Donner Party. 

I would call your space page, The Great Emigration of 1843. It's already categorized under Oregon Trail, which is categorized under Trails and Wagon Trains, so the category hierarchy is all set up.

1000 profiles are quite a few to group together under one category. Usually, categories lose their usefulness after a few hundred, but in this case, you might find it helpful. If you would like your project to have it's own category, you can nestle Great Emigration of 1843 under Oregon Trail and use that on your profiles. Even though the title is a bit ambiguous, researchers will figure out it's significance quickly if you add a short definition at the top of the category page. You can create the category, or I can do it for you, if you like!

Alison, Leader of the Westward Ho! Project

Comments

Alison,

Thanks so much!  I had started this a while ago, got really busy and couldn't do WikiTree, then got distracted.  But my 1843 family picnic is coming up in a couple weeks, so this is a perfect time to work on it.  Thanks for your suggestions.  Yes, it would help me if you could create the category.  It had already been suggested to me that I call it the Great Emigration of 1843, and I like that title just fine.