I have come across an excellent web page for research information, especially if you are writing about President Polk's Manifest Destiny and the westward migration that swept across the country. The web page is: www.over-land.com/diaries.html There are a large number of complete diaries and letters on this page.

There is a non-profit organization which I belong. It is excellent as they hold national conventions, have local chapters, and publish a newsletter. The organization is O.C.T.A. which stands for the Oregon-California Trail Association. This organization is into the preservation of the old trails, marking the trails, and preserving the diaries of the pioneers. Their web page is www.octa-trails.org

I hope this will help you in your writing and your interest in the western frontier.

Bart