Alexander Van Valen Diary, 1849-1850

Have you wondered what it was like to be part of the California Gold Rush? Go back to 1849 and join Alexander Van Valen where he starts off in New York, traveling by ship south down around the tip of South America and then north to San Francisco. You can be a part of this historic trip by helping us transcribe Van Valen's diary and follow his travels starting today. Treasurer of a small New York company, Alexander Van Valen joined the California Gold Rush when he boarded a ship in 1849 and traveled south around the tip of South America and north to California, and then into the city of San Francisco. He was unsuccessful and returned within just two years.