The first issue of 2022 finishes the series featuring the era known as “Manifest Destiny”. In this issue you will find the following feature articles:

● From Sea to Shining Sea: The Great Reconstruction: Conquest, Manifest Destiny and the Road to Disunion. The United States won the Mexican-American War, resulting in a land mass which stretched from sea to shining sea. Pioneers crossed the nation in droves heading to the “golden West”. Was it good when it led to Civil War?
● Mining Genealogical Gold: Finding Records of the Mexican-American War (and the stories behind them). More tips for finding records of the Mexican-American War.
● (More) Tales From the Trail(s). This article highlights five of the six trails: Santa Fe Trail, Old Spanish Trail, California Trail, Oregon and Applegate Trail. There was more than way to get there and each trail had its own challenges – and lots of stories!
● Calamities, Catastrophes and Chaos: how our ancestors coped with tragedy. Disastrous events impacted and shaped our ancestors’ lives, sometimes even playing a role in their migration patterns. The December 2021 deadly tornado outbreak made me think of the second deadliest tornado in American history, the Great Natchez Tornado of 1840.
● The Dash: Nancy Kelsey (1823-1896). The story of the first American woman to emigrate to California from the east. She was later referred to as the “Betsy Ross of California”.

I have thoroughly enjoyed researching and writing this issue. In particular, I learned more about the nation's expansion westward -- the stories and the challenges. I hope you find it informative as well. I'm especially looking forward to the next issue. In honor of the release of the 1950 census, it will feature the "Fabulous Fifties!".