Overview
The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center has published a compilation of various emigrant narratives and biographies that are available on the Internet.  This website contains family histories that have been passed on through generations.  Each story reflects the unique and individual experiences of the emigrants' journey along the Oregon Trail.  Their stories demonstrate the diversity of the pioneers representing various cultures, religions, family structures, socioeconomic status and gender.

Highlights:
"Charles Oliver was eight years old when his grandparents (pictured above), his family, and the families of his two uncles crossed the Oregon Trail together."  His family embarked upon the treacherous journey from Iowa in 1856.  They arrived in Oregon nine years later with an incredible story to share.  "Rose Jackson came west as a slave to the Allen family in 1849.  Since it was illegal to bring slaves into Oregon, they were forced to smuggle Rose across the length of the Oregon Trail in a box with air holes drilled in it. Rose came out only at night to stretch and get a breath of fresh air."  Rose endured this dangerous journey and was freed upon her arrival.  Click here to read about these stories and many others.

And while you are visiting this website, be sure to click on the Oregon Trail History Library.  On this webpage, you can view a diagram of the construction of a wagon train and a sample list of provisions that would have been required to sustain the journey.

Suggested Use:
These biographies can be used in a variety of content areas including history, writing, reading and geography.
For example, I have planned an integrated social studies unit about the Oregon Trail.  In conjunction with the Storypath curriculum, students will create and assume the role of a fictional character in simulation activities. Students will use this website as they compose their character's biography.  The advantage to using biographies and other primary source documents is that students are able to learn the academic content of historical events while relating to the personal and affective dimension of one individual's experience.  Students will also develop critical thinking skills as they draw conclusions and make generalizations from the text.