Tracing Your Roots: A Family History Guide for the Springville DUP Museum

by Lori Collins

For many visitors, the Springville-Mapleton DUP Museum is more than a collection of antiques—it is a library of personal legacies. If you suspect your ancestors were among the early settlers of the Utah Valley, this museum offers unique, localized resources you won't find on a standard genealogy website.

Here is your step-by-step guide to uncovering your family story within the walls of the old Carnegie Library.

1. Know Before You Go: The "Pioneer" Definition

In the world of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, a "pioneer" is specifically defined as someone who arrived in or was born in the Utah Territory before May 10, 1869 (the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad).

If your ancestor fits this window: The museum is highly likely to have a file or photograph.
If they arrived later: They may still be mentioned in local histories or community records stored in the museum's "satellite" files.

2. Prepare Your "Fan Chart"

Before you arrive, have a basic pedigree chart or "fan chart" ready. Even if you only know a great-grandparent's name, the museum’s volunteer docents are experts at connecting the dots.

Pro Tip: Note any specific trades (like blacksmithing or milling). Often, pioneers are grouped in records by their contribution to the "Fort-on-the-Hobble" or early Springville industry.

3. Dig Into the "Pioneer Files"

The museum maintains a unique vertical file system. Unlike the massive database at the Salt Lake City headquarters, these files often contain:

Personal Life Sketches: Original, often hand-written or typed biographies submitted by descendants over the last 100 years.
Obituaries and Clippings: Local newspaper mentions that haven't been digitized.
Original Photographs: Portraits of early residents, sometimes identified only in these local collections.

4. Utilize the On-Site Resources

The Library: The museum houses a collection of rare local history books, including 19th-century ward censuses and city directories (like the 1901-1902 Springville Directory).
Research Assistance: The ladies who staff the museum are often descendants of the original settlers themselves. They can help you pull files and make copies of histories for a small fee (usually around 10–25 cents per page).
Equipment: While the DUP focuses on paper records, the Springville FamilySearch Center is located nearby if you need to jump from physical records to digital database searches.

Plan Your Research Visit

The museum operates on seasonal hours and is run by dedicated volunteers, so it’s always best to plan ahead.

Season: Open March through October.
Hours: Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Address: 175 South Main Street, Springville, UT.
Contact: If you are traveling from out of town, you can email springmapledup@gmail.com to see if they have a specific ancestor's file before you make the trip.