I attended cold weather training in that area in March of 1983. There was seven feet of snow and ice on the ground, but we were prepared for the conditions. I cannot imagine what those poor folks experienced.

@ankureros6272

3 жыл бұрын

IIRC during the year that they were stuck here, the entirety of Northern hemisphere experienced one of the coldest winters. And so there was not 7 but TWENTY feet of snow when the Donners were starving. Simply insane.

@herecomesaregular8418

Жыл бұрын

@I am me • 25y ago Oh ok, well then screw em' then. 🙄

@scout3058

Жыл бұрын

Ken Bush: I assume you were at USMC MWTC. That's about 77 miles southeast of the Donner site. I was at MWTC in winter, early 1990.

@cjdfv

Жыл бұрын

I was conceived in March of 1983. Just putting your life into perspective for you.

@jase4270

Жыл бұрын

What a winner you are clap clap clown.

In school I read and did a report on Ordeal by Hunger the book about the Donner party. My family vacationed in Lake Tahoe every summer so I was able to visit the Donner memorial. It was very moving for me to stand in front of and touch the boulder that was the back wall of the Murphy cabin having read the story of the people who struggled, lived and died there. Im 64 now and it still brings tears to my eyes.

@randy1576

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing that. I also read that book and found it fascinating.

Have always found it kinda funny that there is a "Donner Camp Picnic Area".....

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, does seem strange, doesn't it?

@vincentp.locollo3343

3 жыл бұрын

Would you like a Breast or a leg?

@sheldonferguson7422

3 жыл бұрын

I had no idea until I started watching this. I actually laughed out loud, "leg or breast Johnny?" 😂😂😂

@jipfluffy2143

3 жыл бұрын

Yep I knew I was not the only one to see the irony in this!

@ssherrierable

3 жыл бұрын

Hey if ya gotta eat than ya gotta eat. All that perfectly good dead meat was sitting on ice practically so it was fresh. It's like a cow eating a hamburger or a chicken eating a mcnugget.

Can you imagine traveling hundreds of miles only to die 90 miles from your destination. We complain about getting a poor cell phone signal sometimes but imagine not having phones, cars, roads, helicopters, etc. These people really had it hard.

@trenken

3 жыл бұрын

All relative. They had it easy compared to people 200 years before them. And 200 years from now when people have flying cars and cures for cancer and aids, they will talk about how hard we had it.

@heman7767

3 жыл бұрын

@@trenken sad to say you're losing reality buddy you think it's going to be better 200 years from now guess again. Look at the history of Nations look at the two world wars we went through not very long ago. Look how the histories of Nations crumble within through the known history we have already. And realize our nation is in a steep decline especially the last few years 10 years 15 especially the last year or three. It starts with a decay of morality. And it done that with each civilization imploding. Whether you accept it or not or Believe it or not Jesus Christ is the answer for everything.

@townhall05446

2 жыл бұрын

@@trenken The way things are going, 200 years from now they may be talking about how GOOD we had it.

@matthewdonohue7745

2 жыл бұрын

@@townhall05446 The direction of our future depends upon our prayers.

@Mojo_Jojo_001

Жыл бұрын

So true. Only 90 miles away..so close but also an eternity away.

Thank you to all the brave pioneers who paved the way for us.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Truly! Thank you for watching!

@Mojo_Jojo_001

Жыл бұрын

Good point. So many of them are nameless and faceless to us today. But they overcame incredible odds to do it. I can't imagine deciding to pack up my family and entire life to go on a journey months long that may end up in death and may not have a reward at the end. But somehow many made the decision and braved it.

@frankybrown9834

Жыл бұрын

Privileged earned not given

@margaretmatthews511

Жыл бұрын

I did enjoy watching and learning. Thank you. 💖 😢I cannot imagine the incredible hardship.

Just a bit of information for you. I worked on the summit in California for many years. I grew up not to far from Donner Summit. I am 57 years old. Back in 2008 I was working up on the Summit , I was at Serene Lakes. At that time it was Fall , there was still a lot of snow in the area from Winter . I talked to a man who lived in Serene Lakes , normally most of the people who live there, leave for the Winter because it gets so severe. He informed my Forman and I that the snow level there had reached 35 ' that they were able to actually walk up to the power lines. We would walk along back roads and even in areas where you just don't find anyone but utility workers and the snow was towering above me. I am 6' tall . My foreman was 6' 4" tall and the snow must have been at least another 5 to 6 feet above where we stood. I was a Tree Climber at that time and did a lot of tree work along the Power Lines all over Placer County. Winter on the summit is dangerous . No doubt about it. The winds exceed 100 mph. creating extreme blizzard conditions. The snow levels on the summit in some areas have reached 44 ' I know this from working on the Summit and talking to the people who live in the area. When I was a kid my Dad worked for Caltrans. He worked at Whitmore, Norden and Kingvale. He would Plow HWY 80 from Truckee to Auburn along with other people he worked with on the Highway . He would always get reports of how bad the weather was up on the Summit from his Supervisor and it was rarely good. This was back in the 60s , 70s, and early 80s. The weather on the California Summit becomes extreme and deadly and if a person is not prepared for the conditions , they will not survive.

@blackholeentry3489

2 жыл бұрын

I have lived in California since the mid 50's. Many times I have driven over Donner Summit right after snow plows have just cleared a path to find it like driving through a channel with snow 12 to 15 feet on both sides. Eerie experience.

@moonbase7069

2 жыл бұрын

@@blackholeentry3489 brings back memories of traveling with my Dad through hear and the roads were very dangerous and the snow very deep..I can't imagine doing it in wagons..My dad's little car was scary anofe

@missesmew

2 жыл бұрын

I worked years ago in northern BC, Canada. I was cutting line, doing exploration work. I noticed one day that there was flagging tape running on our line but it was all about 25’ up in the trees. I (being from Ontario)asked my partner who was climbing trees and putting tape up there? He laughed and asked me “you notice how much it rains?” Well, in the winter it can snow a foot an hour. lol They were snowshoe lines.😳

@larryrobinson6914

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that!!?

@marvinbone1379

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, shellie....a fascinating story that puts much of this in perspective.

Donner is one of my favorite places on the planet. My stepdad was the SP supervising ranger there for 12 years and I visited often. He and my mom lived in one of the staff houses right there in the park. There were times in the winter where the snow was so deep, we couldn't see out the windows. Such a beautiful, tragic and interesting place. My kids learned to swim in Donner lake. Lots of memories there.

These people were of a tough stock. People do not know how good we got it now because of these pioneers an adventures

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

You’re absolutely right! We are fortunate that we do not have lives of great physical tool but I think their lives were richer for being tested. No doubt the social fabric was deeper and richer in this era of Facebook.

@Katy-ne2xh

2 жыл бұрын

Tough, determined, adventurous and willing to risk everything. I descend from both California and Oregon pioneers. Wonder most about those who did the trail to Oregon in 1847. They opted to take the new Applegate Trail which was a later cut-off from the California trail in Nevada than the usual split from the combined trail in Utah. Not sure if they were ever in a train combined of those going both places with how much trains split and reformed but can't help but wonder if any knew of what happened to the Donner Party when they could see those mountains heading into fall. My family arrived in the Rogue River Valley on Nov 8th so people could have still been at higher elevations if there was another early snowfall. Infant daughter in my family died when they were still out on the plains, one of many who didn't make it but there were so many more who did make it and it is amazing to look at our country and just imagine what their trips.

@victoriagarcia5533

2 жыл бұрын

Totally

@logicalschizoid_intp9698

Ай бұрын

Especially modern medicine. For the last two days, I had another migraine and remembered to take Nurtec, and it totally aborted the migraine. Taking it, I was still groggy and mind was still a bit strange from it all. An hour later, I was thinking about how amazing it was that I could just end a migraine in a matter of minutes. Goes to show how long we have come as far as innovation, research and practice from even a 100 years ago. I give all those researchers a big "thank you". I have Epilepsy, and soon this will have a treatment, but we just have to wait. But, having modern medicine is one thing that will keep me proud of our ancestors and their hard work, and dedication.

I just don't feel I can judge them. Great Vlog, thank you!

@sophieacapella

3 жыл бұрын

Me neither. I am sure you are bound to loose it after living in those conditions for months on end and without seeing the light at the end of the tunnel...

@ApartmentKing66

2 жыл бұрын

I don't judge them either. I've never been in the situation they were in...stuck at the top of the Sierra Nevada mountains in the middle of Winter with snow 25 to 40 feet deep, 100 mph winds...and *nothing* to eat.

@user-ku2oy2df7m

Ай бұрын

No of course there's no judgment, even of poor old Lewis - and look at the terrible life he went on to have! They were human beings having to make uniquely human decisions. That's all. Animals would not even think twice about it. When one thinks of the bloodshed in Ukraine and in Gaza, and the purported morality of the motivations, one regrets that human beings are even capable of stopping to think about it at all. History has shown over and over that the examination of abstract moral questions is far, far more deadly to humans.

I read in two journals by 1849'ers that when they arrived at donners pass on their way to the gold fields that the bones of some of the dead were still on the ground. Some had pieces of clothing still attached to their bones. According to one journal the remains were left there as a warning to others not to dilly dally around but to get over the pass lest the same fate happen to others.

Doing the math as the names and pictures were presented. The events took place in 1846/47, so many of these people were very small children at that time some as young as 1, many under 5. I've known the story most my life. My grandma lived in Sacramento and we would go up to Trukee for hikes when down there visiting. I never realized how young most the survivors were. It seems their parents would sacrifice all for their children. I am humbled by their memory.

@Trollificusv2

3 жыл бұрын

And those kids survived!! I wonder if that speaks to some inner strength more people have than we would think. Certainly the parents too. OR maybe they were just tough. The narrator makes a good point that the process of "starving to death" includes a late phase where your brain is not getting nutrients or oxygen like it should and you can easily lose it. If your real reality was slow painful death in a freezing white cell, you'd probably take any other that came along.

@DonnaBrooks

3 жыл бұрын

@@Trollificusv2 They were tough. Sadly, most Americans today are not.

@lilbluefreak

3 жыл бұрын

I did the math from the pictures he listed: 22 kids, 9 adults survived. I'm guessing it's because kids need to eat less on average and what's probably even more likely, most adults would sacrifice their rations to give to the children to stay alive in favor of themselves living. Clearly it worked, all but 3 of the kids got to live long lives well into their forties and beyond. The shortest lived child died at age 27; they were only 3 when this all happened. The longest lived made it all the way to the age of 96 before passing away, and the youngest child to survive the brutal trip thru the mountains was only a year old. Pretty interesting...

@reynamendoza7840

2 жыл бұрын

I read somewhere that when the rescue parties came they carried out the children 1st. I think it would be to hard to carry weak adults back so they probably figured they can save more people if they started with kids.

@lukeyznaga7627

Жыл бұрын

those children must have been traumautized by what they saw and heard. Don't forget, in the story, the two indian guides were the first ones to be eaten against their will.

I live just about an hour away, I've been there in winter time just sitting for a little bit trying to wrap my head around on how they did it for months!!! You kinda get a little feeling of it when there is snow there.

@numarkaz

3 жыл бұрын

I know. I'm familiar with the area too, and imagine just trying to survive more than a couple days! I've been out there without good gear and you start to feel it after a couple hours.

@Augfordpdoggie

3 жыл бұрын

u from Sac?

@BamaChad-W4CHD

3 жыл бұрын

It's just impossible to wrap our minds around that kind of starvation and desperation

Absolutely love history and it's comforting to come here and see alot of other people do as well. Fascinating story.

@jacobbrock7192

3 жыл бұрын

I just found this channel an had to subscribe love history to

@oldtimer7635

Жыл бұрын

"Fascinating"?! If you enjoy other people´s horror and agony!

@Mojo_Jojo_001

Жыл бұрын

So true. In history I try to imagine what people experienced and felt. It is overwhelming to think what they endured. It is amazing to me how many went on to live long lives. I wonder how this affected them decades afterwards.

I explored that same area in 1978. You could still see the wagon ruts in the ground.

@andrewmoore4720

3 жыл бұрын

Really ?

@annemchurchwell

2 жыл бұрын

There are a lot of places that you can see wagon ruts. I went to a spot in Ft. Levenworth Kansas that you can still them back in 1991.

@chriscox4936

2 жыл бұрын

Nope

@elisabethsoquet3245

2 жыл бұрын

Love the wagon ruts.

2 жыл бұрын

and some bones left behind from other picnickers as a memorial

life was truly brutal in that era in any event. most adults were lucky to get to 40 or 50. I doubt many of us today could have survived the lifestyle people in the 19th century endured.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

It was definitely a hard way to live back then. Thank God we live in such a convenient age!

@meichong8278

3 жыл бұрын

Theres always one SJW warrior determined to make you as unhappy as them

@quercus4730

3 жыл бұрын

Insert name here: People are no different today than they were then. There are thousands of stories of people surviving horrible conditions for months or years. Just look at some children that are starved, beaten, and chained up in the dark, some for years.

@hellopolly2691

3 жыл бұрын

Today we would have some pizzas and sodas delivered by drones.

@calartian85

Жыл бұрын

Especially when your buddies are fixing to eat you.

Ever since I first heard about the Donner Party many years ago, I have had an obsession to find all the facts I possibly could about their tragic experience. I have done much reading and have watched many documentaries to the point I thought I found all the facts I could. After watching your video, I truly feel like I traveled back to that winter and experienced their terrible ordeal first hand. I try to look back at the day they left Springfield. The dreams, high hopes and the anxiousness of starting a new life. So sad. Thanks to both of you for another incredible video.

I work with a guy who is a Donner descendant. It’s funny how he introduces himself in training sessions. He says , “My name is **** Donner. And yes, I am related”. 🤔 He has some relics and old letters of family members notifying each other of the deaths.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

That’s fascinating! Where is he located?

@MagravatorMag

3 жыл бұрын

@@jbenziggy A few of them ended up going to southern CA and dispersed from there. That's about all I know.

@octocreepy

3 жыл бұрын

So if he has the last name of Donner he must be a descendant of George Jr. since he was the only male Donner to survive. Or he is distantly related and his family was not part of the "Donner Party" that perished. Or, he is descended from one of the five daughters from 1846 and after all this time is still using the Donner surname. Or your full of shit.

@mr.spanky7205

3 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome I’m actually a donner. From my moms side. My moms last name is Donner. And most of my side of the donners that I’m aware of lives in Nebraska. My mom is Lori Donner and my aunt is traci Donner and my uncles are Jerry and Tom Donner and my cousins which are Donners. And that’s all of the Relatives I’m aware of.

@TightwadTodd

3 жыл бұрын

@Lorne Malvo I didnt..I thought it was quite rude..Why is it,that those who are far removed from a subject,are most often,the most critical and rude,concerning the subject..My Family has a history concerning several historic events and i find it funny,how others who have no connection to it,always seem to know more about it than we do...

Awesome episode. Regarding the exact location of George Donners camp. There is no doubt it was at the tree with the plaque. Survivors said it was at that spot, McGlashen marked it as the spot, P.M. Weddell marked it as the spot, in 1898 a Truckee man sifted at the tree location and found the foundation of a cabin/lean to as well as artifacts and coins from the Donner family. Archaeologists dug under the tree in the 1980s and found very little and declared it not the spot. They didn’t know that the spot had already been sifted in 1898 and everything taken. Unfortunately the archaeologists undermined the root system of the tree and killed the tree. The archaeologists then insisted it wasn’t the spot because they knew they killed California’s most historic tree and had a motive for pointing the public away from the spot. I can send you the newspaper article from 1898 describing what the Truckee man found under the tree if you like.

@exploringwithJim

3 жыл бұрын

After looking at my source material - the Donner family site at the tree was sifted/excavated in 1891 (not 1898) by Edward Reynolds. He found bones, plates, crockery, a cedar box, coins and a presidential medal.

@ShannonLH1108

2 жыл бұрын

Please post the article

@LeslieHeath-iw8ec

7 ай бұрын

I just watched that video put out by the FS, they excavated in 1990 near the base of "George's tree" but found nothing. They brought in metal detectors and started pinging all over the place. They found, coins, glass, square nails, musket balls, firing caps, pottery shards, axle pins (bolts?) Too bad they destroyed the tree. I noticed in the FS video the tree still had plaques on it as opposed to this one where most had been removed

When the cards of fate are dealt, we have to do whatever we can to survive. Having now learnt about the Donner Party my mind goes back to the mid 70’s when that plane crashed in the Andes. The cards were dealt to them as well. We never know how we would react if we ended up in the same situation and that’s why you shouldn’t shun the people who were put in that situation. Thanks again for a terrific video from Down Under.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you much Robert! I remember reading the book about the Andes crash! Horrible stuff!

@scotttilson8876

3 жыл бұрын

Robert Watson some do the right thing, some do the wrong thing. There is always a choice.

@stevyd

3 жыл бұрын

There are many other examples of this. PBS did a recent program called "Abandoned in the Arctic". In the summer of 1881, Lieutenant Adolphus Greely and a large group of men set out to explore the farthest region of the Arctic, and to collect scientific data. While bravely succeeding in their mission, the 3-year trek ended in abandonment, starvation, and finally cannibalism. While it is easy to say that one shouldn't or wouldn't resort to this nearly universal taboo, one never really knows what they themselves might do in a similar horrendous situation.

@kareno7212

3 жыл бұрын

I was just talking to my husband about this movie. We both have watched it and we agree that nobody can judge these people. Those were circumstances that were just horrific. Delirium and starvation make people do the unthinkable. I watched a program on the Donner Party a few years ago. Hypothermia causes delirium also. I remember the program mentioning one of the people that was walking to get help, was ripping off their clothes because they were too hot. Who knows what any of us would have done in those same circumstances. Unthinkable tragedies! May they all rest in peace.

Thank you Jeff & Sarah. So well done! An amazingly tragic and sad chapter in history.

They were some tough people.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Very tough. They put us all to shame.

@nmelkhunter1

3 жыл бұрын

Tough as nails. I’m sure they would just shake their heads if they heard someone complain about a bad Starbucks order. “Your whipped cream is missing?” “Let me tell you about bad coffee.”

@carolthomson4705

3 жыл бұрын

@@jbenziggy Very much so

@thorodin6686

3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully with a little marinade they tendered up 🤣

@Eidelmania

3 жыл бұрын

The natives were tougher. The lived out, always.

Just watched the movie "The Homesman" with Tommy Lee Jones. What people went through to try to "settle" this country is unbelievable. The women had it especially rough but no one had it easy...we owe so much of what we have today to these brave, determined people who came before and made it all possible.

I visited Tahoe all the time, and grew up with the stories of the Donner Party all my life. As a kid, we took a sort-of class fieldtrip (my Dad was a chaperone) and we took a trip down to the park where the Donner Party had camped. The guide we had was so compassionate to the story that it stuck with me to this very day! He described the harsh winter and snowfall, making it seem as if we were there! (It was actually getting close to summer vacation), that the dragonflies and flowing creek seemed so far away! The horror stories seem to blend together as we go from one section to another, that while I can no longer remember the names of the people, I still recall the events to a T. One, was during a time of storm, when the Donner Party had camped in a field. There was this giant tree, burned and split down the middle, and our guide told us of a man who set himself and his wagon there, only for them to wake up and find the wagon and the man gone! He'd been struck by lightning that night and deemed another casualty. Along with losing family to disease, lack of food and water, the Donner Party had stopped to rest around another part of the park to wait for the snow to stop falling, only to be stuck in a whiteout! Another story was of a group who camped in what sounded like a cave, searching for help. A man's wife had given him one of the last hunk of bear meat, and he snarfed it down himself because the others of the camp would've proabably killed him and stolen everything he had! It was crazy to think that those people you've been traveleing with for years, would suddenly turn on you for a scrap of food! It got worse when the guide told us of a dying man who died in the arms of his daughter. His last words were, 'when I die, use my body to feed yourself.' It struck me really hard because my own dad was there, too. I couldn't imagine what that woman went through when they were starving and her own father was trying to keep his child alive even in death. There was also the story of rescuers finding survivng children, barely skin and bones themselves, becoming horrified when they found them cooking a piece of human liver! Cannibalism to me, is a taboo, and a sure-fire way of becoming a Wendigo, however, I have read and seen too many stories to not understand why people cannibalize. Some tribes see it as taboo, while others believe it is a ritualistic honor of some sort. Scientifically, human flesh will literally make someone sick eaten raw, though it does have nutrition to an extent. Even as a meat eater, I will NEVER wish to comsume my fellow being, and I pray to God, I'll never find myself in the awful situation of having no other choice!

Very interesting story. All the times I've been to Tahoe I've never stopped at the Donner site. Guess I need to check it out

Love your channel I am a total history buff! Thank you both for the sharing of history, it's so great!

@jbenziggy

Жыл бұрын

Our pleasure! Thank you for the nice words!!! We appreciate it!

@Steve-cs8nd

Жыл бұрын

It’s what we do when we are not eating each other

@Steve-cs8nd

Жыл бұрын

Anyone for a drumstick?

Truthfully. ALL of your videos are terrific; however, this one is perhaps one of your best yet! Thank you for your compassionate and historically honest telling of a tragedy that no one can imagine living through. You breath life into your "history lessons".

Years ago I worked with a direct decadent of the Donner family. He was a good sport who didn't mind our Donner party jokes. He had many stories some funny, some not so much. The hardship stories would send a shiver down your spine...

Love the background history and photos of the Donner party. Your videos are excellent.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them, Tresi! We certainly appreciate you watching!

The very best book I have ever read on the Donner Party is Ordeal By Hunger by George Stewart. It is loaded with history.

@Toltecgrl

3 жыл бұрын

I’m going to add that book to my list!

@mtbkrdon

Жыл бұрын

Great Read

Beautiful place

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

It is! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

The A&E "The Real West" special episode of the Donner Party featured historians who explained why the Breens and Reeds did better than the other families. The Breen ate first the poor pieces of the starved oxen that had been slaughtered (hide, mostly) saving the better meat for later; the other families ate the good meat first, but couldn't keep their bodies nourished from the hides that were left, especially as the winter dragged on. The Breens also made sure that every bone was boiled over and over to extract any particle of meat or marrow; and according to Virginia Reed she and her family lived on the remains of their little dog Cash for a week.

I Lived in Truckee for many years. As you walked around on the paths I could smell the sap from the pine trees and I miss it there. Thank You for telling their story.

I drove through Donner Pass November 1st 2014, and it was amazing how fast the snow came on and started coming down, as all the truckers pulled over to put tire chains on. Then as you go down the mountain, it stops just as quickly and warms right back up.

@jandccarlisle3534

Жыл бұрын

You also cannot travel over the pass in inclement weather, chains are typically required. They have 1 business up that the top of the pass the sells and puts the chains on for you.

I’ve always been fascinated with their story. Thank you for posting.

This was such a sad story growing up wrote book report on this tragic story as a child as always thank you for taking us with you take care

Thank you always enjoy your Blog. I live in the UK but have much love for American History. All the best

@jbenziggy

11 ай бұрын

I am so glad to know we have so many viewers in the UK. We really appreciate your interest in American history and our channel specifically.

There is a really good book to read about the Donner party story. It's called, The Best Land Under Heaven. The Author is Michael Wallis. It's very informative, well written.

I started camping up there every year at Stampede or Prosser starting in 1998. Just beautiful.

Thanks for this! Brought back memories! Heartbreaking story of real true grit. I spent a month one summer in high school, camped out in the area north of Donner Pass, near Frenchman's Lake. Laying in my cot at night, reading under gaslight about the Donner party, was a thrill! It got close to freezing at night...in July! ...the only time we were allowed to use the camper potty, was at night. But I just can't imagine the hardships they faced.

Calling it Donner Picnic area seems to be in bad taste.

@derekm3180

3 жыл бұрын

bad taste. lol (sorry)

@MichaelMiller-od6pu

3 жыл бұрын

Lol!

@Augfordpdoggie

3 жыл бұрын

so were peoples body parts ;)

@marcbenson1969

3 жыл бұрын

lol. I thought the same thing as soon as the sign popped up I jumped down here to read the comments.

@deanb4799

3 жыл бұрын

Lol

Fantastic video! I'm a member of FindaGrave, and cemetery strolling is a favorite hobby, so I wanted to offer what I could. George is listed as buried there, as is his brother, his sister-in-law, and neices and nephews. His wife, Tamsen, is listed as unknown. The only references given are the "Donner descendants of Brentwood, CA", so I'm guessing the person documenting the burials spoke directly with family. This is how much of the information on that site is obtained. Family records, obituaries, church records, etc.. are all used to document burials listed there. When you rely solely on word of mouth and family stories, things can get suspect. But as it's said, evidence is just 6 feet down. The obscure nature of the cemetery actually makes it believable to me. Without knowing what the descendants know, my guess is that maybe someone at that time went back to retrieve the bones from the burnt cabin for a Christian burial. Why there's not some marker or memorial there, who knows. Maybe the family wanted it kept private at the time, especially after seeing how interested people were in the story and the site of death, and it was forgotten about over the years. If this is so, I'm wandering why Tamsen isn't buried there the same, but maybe she was buried on site and too hard to retrieve. It's been a while since I've really read on this, so the memory is a little fuzzy. I do wish though that the person who documented their graves on FindaGrave would have provided more information regarding the burials. It's something contrary to what we've been taught of the story and it leaves a lot of questions. It would be exciting to go there with ground penetrating radar!

@jamesgritz404

Жыл бұрын

maybe the markers were stolen

@wes326

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for what you do. I have used and contributed to Find-A-Grave over the years.

Donner Party, a true American tragedy. Loved the video, you both stay safe and well!

The Houghton’s retired on a small farm / dairy in Long Beach ca. Their children donated the property for a park / Houghton park. There is a community center on the where their house was. The Bixby’s paid for part of the original community center in 1925. Most of that community center is still there.

@lornahardin4563

3 жыл бұрын

Is this the Houghton Park in North Long beach, with Jordan High School nearby?

@lornahardin4563

3 жыл бұрын

It is, I researched it. We lived a block from there when I was young, (78 now), and my sister went to Jordan High. I never knew the history til you wrote this and I love history of our pioneers. Thank you.

@harrisonmantooth3647

3 жыл бұрын

@@lornahardin4563 I've never been to Houghton Park but, I've heard of Jordan High School. IIRC, we, Warren High, used to play against Jordan. Again, IIRC, that was the Moore League. My 75 year old Gray Matter slips once in a while.

@johnb.carpenter6862

3 жыл бұрын

Lorna Hardin yes that’s the place. In fact the land where Jordan High is was once Houghton’s land. Before Jordan was built the land was part of the park. Before Jordan High was built classes were held in a library where the community center is. There is a new community center that was just completed and because of the virus it is not being used.

@robertgeorge1670

3 жыл бұрын

I also grew up in North Long Beach, Ca. and lived 1 1/2 blocks from Houghton Park. I graduated from Jordan High in 1967 and Jordan sits right next to Houghton Park.

Love your shows. When we went to the old cemetery in Marysville to look for Black Barts grave we also found the grave of Harriet Frances (Nye) She was a member of the Murphy family and one of the Donner Party survivors.

Wonderfully and respectfully done video. Thank you!

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much!

It's impossible to imagine that kind of desperation. To drive you to boil saddles. To boil bones until they crumble in your mouth like powder. Then to imagine being so starving and losing your mind enough to eat people that you knew just before you had to eat them

Excellent video! Thanks a lot for sharing that with us! I especially enjoyed the last part with faces of the survivors and one of the heroes.

Thank you Jeff and Sarah for taking us along on this fascinating journey. I'm going to have to put this on my big "bucket" list of things to do. I've been interested in the Donner Party tragedy since my earliest recollection of the famous story. I've been through Truckee many times and recall going over the Donner Pass. Again, thanks Jeff and Sarah. Stan

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Well thanks very much Stan! We appreciate your support which in turns encourages us to do this. It’s still a part time effort as we can’t quit work just yet. LOL

I drive through here all the time. Want to get out and spend more time out there near the camps.

This is a great account of the Donner party story. I enjoyed it. In the dead of winter, the game has all moved to the lower elevations and the bears hibernate, so hunting would have been difficult for them. I never understood why they didn't go back down to lower elevation as soon as they realized they couldn't continue to Sacramento.

@kareno7212

3 жыл бұрын

I think that they were already trapped by the first snow fall. There was already too much snow on the ground to move the wagons. Probably thought that they may have a break after the first snow and would be able to move then and the break in the weather never came.

Such a fascinating story and journey. I loose my mind when I get hangry, jk. Love that tree. Thank you Jeff and Sara for a lovely trip.

@HistoryHunterSarah

3 жыл бұрын

I can get pretty hangry myself sometimes. Thank you for watching!

When I was married, we lived directly across from Sutter's Fort (27 & L, Sacramento, CA). Seasonally, theme changes, yet the passion & professionalism of the staff always impressed; each always provided very a fascinating story. Passion for the job was alive there.

Always a pleasure watching you both thanks so much for the uploads ..watching from Staffordshire in the UK 🇬🇧 thanks again 👍

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome to hear from you Martin! Thank you for watching and commenting!!

Great presentation! My Dad and I stopped at the Donner Pioneer Monument back in 1980 when I was 21. Didn’t Really appreciate the gravity of their situation at that visit. Thanks to your wonderful video, I do now.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Sometimes it takes an older mind to wrap our minds on the frailty of life! Thanks for watching!

As a rock climber who lived in Nevada City, CA for 12 years, Donner Summit was my local climbing area, and I went there all the time. As I'd be hanging off a rock face, I always found myself gazing down to the east end of the lake where all this stuff went down, cognizant of the contrast between me having a great time in frivolous recreation, and them struggling for their lives. I love that area for its beauty, it's complex history, its dangers, its opportunities for fun, and just the general ambience of the place. Thanks for the vid! (As an aside, as a banjo and mandolin player, too, I wondered who did the music at the end where all the photos were shown.)

Another great episode. Solid information on a tragic situation. Your videos make me feel like I visited the place myself...well done!

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

That's great to hear, John! If you feel like you were there with us, that makes it worth it for us!

Hi ! Awesome vlog . Although very tragic , life was very hard back in the day. We have nothing to complain about ! LoL. Great vlog as usual! Thanks you two carry on ! Deborah. Winnipeg. Canada

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much, Deborah! We really don't know how good we have it today!

Your explorations have made me so obsessed with the Donner Party.

Always an instant click and watch when a new video is posted. Historically fascinating. Thanks guys, God bless and be safe🙏

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!!! We appreciate it, Antony!

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Thank you!

I've been to that park several times over the years. Those 18 ft tree stumps that were trees cut at the snow line are eerie. I can't imagine.

Since I hear about The Donner Party last year It took me to visit a few places like Fort Laramie, WY, Donner Camp, The Pioneer Monument by Donner Lake and Sutter Fort. There is always something new to learn about this fascinating history. Btw The Reed's grave is in local cemetery at San Jose, CA. Happy you both finally made it there. I really wanted to hear the history on your own words. There are so much history in Truckee (Old route 40 and First Transcontinental Air Route & Railroad.

Another very interesting site you have shared with us, thank you.

Thank you for the very solemn and interesting episode.

These are always interesting to me. I've been a very amateur western historian, visited many ghost towns and read more books than I can count,. 70 years ago at 5 years old I was watching Kit Carson on b&w tv that's how far I go back, sad isn't it! Lol

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

That’s wonderful, not sad! I appreciate your desire to learn more! Thanks for watching our video!

Great story, sadly a lot of younger people don't believe this ever happened, stay safe,and have fun

@samanthab1923

3 жыл бұрын

It's weird when I was in HS in the late 70's Alive was a big read. The story of the rugby team that crashed in the Andes & to stay alive they ate their friends. Didn't hear of this story till much later.

@diamondintherough6276

3 жыл бұрын

Ive never heard any younger people not believing. actually, the younger generation has more interest in our history than many other generations.

@Dan-n-Duke-jr2ic

3 жыл бұрын

@@diamondintherough6276 I really have to disagree with that assumption from first hand experience I've asked young adults who fought in ww2..most don't know and more terrifying they don't care..dont even inquire who because that would require them to look up from their phones

@rainbowpandasays8851

3 жыл бұрын

Dan -n- Duke Phones, in fact more easily connect us to history. Looking up anything is doesn’t have to be arduous.

@cottonaj

3 жыл бұрын

I agree the availability of information makes it easier for all generations to research history, but there are a lot of people regardless of age that couldn't care less.

Amazing story, wow! Thanks Jeff

Love the time and research you guys put towards these videos! Keep up the good work!

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you kind sir! We do work hard and appreciate you noticing!

Donner Party was the most famous of the tragedies that occurred with the westward migrations. Those were tough people to say the least. Thanks again for all your efforts and research.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! Thank you for appreciating our work, Hollywood!

@simongadd2585

3 жыл бұрын

@@jbenziggy a×

Place looks so tourist friendly now , compared to when I was there.. but I seen they had just started working on it , but museum was only thing there. You should show the in ground boulders that still have wagon wheel marks that cut into the rock, it was a very spooky place (I heard oxen bells and wheels) with a friend that heard it same time, no one was there yet it was too early in summer and it was foggy as heck. I think there is spiritual energy trapped there, likely from the mineral content in the terrain and the suffering that took place, so sad.

Always look forward to Sunday’s when u post a new video😎😎 The Donner story has fascinated me since I was a kid. The struggle to survive, the tragedy of it all, the unspeakable hardships. The fact that some survived this is a testament to human endurance. Thank u so much for another interesting video.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much, Terry! We really appreciate how you appreciate our videos! It makes it worth our while! Thumbs up to you!

I had to find all I could find on this story. So amazing. Such a sad story though. Thanks so much for sharing.

Really loved this one because I’m from Marysville Ca named after Mary Covillaud. Good history or bad history is all history and we should learn about what our family’s from way back when had to go threw . History gives us a better understanding of life. Keep up the great work!

Read "Ordeal of Hunger" by McGlashan and "Patty Reed's Doll"

@Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes

3 жыл бұрын

McGlashan wrote "A History of the Donner Party" Stewart wrote "Ordeal by Hunger"

@BackpackTheSierra

3 жыл бұрын

@@Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes McGlashan. I think I read that book. Was he one of the very few who was granted an interview with Lewis Keseberg?

I didnt know of this until I watched a movie on the families. Very interesting. It’s nice too that you can visit the area . Makes you think how fortunate you are to have shelter and and food .TFS cheers from Aussie 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

Thank you for this video. You’re the best. I haven’t seen one of your videos yet that has bored me. Thank you for all the effort you put into your videos, and gathering all the research and info. 🙏👍

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

It’s very nice to hear! Thank you so much! We try to do our best!

I can't imagine the hard ship they went threw.my GOD MY God Amen

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

So tragic! Thankfully we live in a land of plenty, although the recent pandemic showed us how the food chain can be interrupted. That's when things get scary on all of us city dwellers who cannot fend for ourselves on a farm.

@quercus4730

3 жыл бұрын

Mark Wallace: Read the bible god did horrible atrocities to millions of people.

I lived in California, in Plumas County all my life, that is right next to a Tahoe. In 1996 i moved to Denver Co and went to a bar called “behind the 8 ball” and had this guy trying to tell me “it didn’t snow in California” i asked the guy if he had heard about the Donner party.? and he puffs his chest out like a rooster and said “ oh course!”. “Well buddy, that was in my back yard!” LMAO! Still at the end of the night we just couldn’t get the guy to understand of course parts of California get snow and in very large amounts. not all of California was beach front and warm with palm trees but we have truly massive pines..

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

People have all sorts of weird misconceptions about California. Remember that song, “It Never Rains in California”? LOL

Thanks for another entertaining Sunday. I was reading about the Forlorn Hope. Seems like a lot of suffereing there as well.

Thank you both for this video. ❤

Often cemetery districts would have maps of where and who was buried and the small nameplates would be placed by someone active with the district. As I remember there is a historical society in Carson City which would cover Genoa that probably could help you.

I'm a ghost enthusiast. This is on my bucket list! ✌️🙂

@CrowSpirit1977

Жыл бұрын

I wanna go too!!

I found your channel today and it's just amazing. I've watched several videos. Thanks for sharing. What a great job 👍👌

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

So happy you found our channel! We hope to educate and entertain for many years! Thanks very much!

Subscriber for a while but just found this excellent video. I saw the Donner monument as a young child with my family in the late 60's. We lived in the east bay back then and would spend summers camping in Pioneer on property my folks bought to retire on one day. On our day trips we'd explore the foothill mining towns or swim at Donner lake. The Donner story made an impact and has intrigued me since those carefree days. Thanks for an amazing tour. The video you did on Volcano stirred memories of many a Sunday morning spent chomping at the bit to get out of that little white church. Summer vacation or not we went! Thanks Jeff and Sarah, love your channel

There are pictures of the camp site after the rescue that shows all tall cut off stumps were still standing.

Many of the immigrants of the Donner Party had hostile feelings towards James Reed because of his aristocratic nature. But Reed lived up to his self-perception of superiority by being the undeniable hero of this tragedy

@discospider4120

3 жыл бұрын

The man was the one responsible for the tragedy in the first place. He's why they took this route, murdered a man, and never faced any repercussions for screwing all these people over. The true hero was the patriarch of the Graves family, who was responsible for initiating the Forlorn Hope expedition which brought help sooner than James Reed was able to offer.

@larryrobertson2150

3 жыл бұрын

@@discospider4120 Let's not forget about Hastings who sold them on the idea of taking Hasting s' cut off. And there was a letter at the fort where they turned onto the short cut telling them not to take that route but , it was never given to them.

Love your videos guys, they are so down to earth and full of historical value. I especially liked the photo gallery at the end of the video! Thank you and keep up the adventures!

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so very much! We appreciate your nice compliments!

Great Donner party information and video my friends. Thank you

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Our pleasure! Thank you! I'm glad it told you maybe something new!

There are several good books that cover the history, both old and new. The real tragedy is how much time they wasted prior to reaching the Sierra's. There are also some good videos covering the topic.

Omg. Seriously. The Donner Party Picnic area?? That's too funny 😂😂

@robrichmond6171

3 жыл бұрын

Right....my first thought was exactly this

@robrichmond6171

3 жыл бұрын

Kinda tacky eh?

@RickCarter1776

3 жыл бұрын

Wasn't funny in the winter of 1846 1847 though!

@1922Skidoo

3 жыл бұрын

Dark humor here 😆

@williammize8270

3 жыл бұрын

This world today nothing but bunch of sick sicker individuals Lord have mercy

Great episode guys. Enjoyed it!

I enjoyed this video very much. I visited this place about 30 years ago and I learned a lot from you. Thank you.

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear that! Thanks for watching, Lisa!

The Last Podcast on the Left has a great series on the Donner Party for anyone who wants all the gory details

I would love to contribute some cash for gas but I don't seem to find anything to do that? I looked on your channel . I so enjoy your travels you go to. And cannot wait for you to down load or up load what ever. I don't know to much about that. But thanks for all you put out for us.

Another grear episode. Thanks!

This Was Fantastic!..Ive Always Wondered Where This Took Place, Outstanding Video!!...Stay Safe..Gotta Love Sarah, She Is Adorable...

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! You stay safe too! Yes, Sarah is adorable!!!

Great video as usual. Could I eat another human to survive? Yes, if I had enough salt, pepper and garlic powder. Lol. You do what you have to do to survive! Unfortunately, they had no clue as to what was ahead.

Tamsen Donner's body was never found and why would the move Georges body that far from where his mutilated body was found at Alder Creek? That's over 45 miles away on modern roads on the far side of Lake Tahoe. Neither of them are buried in that cemetery.

@heywaitMarlee

3 жыл бұрын

It's been said that Lewis Keyesburg, one of the german immigrants who traveled with them,was responsible for killing Tamsen Donner and eating her flesh which would explain why her remains were not found. Also I've always been horrified by the way George Donner died. The account said he hung on from before they went into the mountains when he injured his hand cutting wood. It went gangrenous and according to some accounts he was STILL ALIVE even in the spring. Horrific way to die, he lingered for months and some people said the infection was bad, up to his shoulder. Awful, would have been better if he had died in November.

Really enjoyed how you included their faces at the end in a most respectful manner. Great video!

@jbenziggy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for acknowledging!

Your girl there is a woman after my own heart ❤. Pinecones and moss are awesome souvenirs!

@HistoryHunterSarah

3 жыл бұрын

They became a part of my home decor. I have lots of different rocks and shells too.