"The society offers the young women the ability to tie themselves to their heritage, to learn the stories of trials and triumphs to bolster their lives," Johnson said. "They can say, 'If they can do it, I can do it. The same blood flows through our veins.' "

Living history

For Jennifer Dolan, one of this year's Days of '47 royalty, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers has helped her better understand her ancestors as individuals. Dolan, 22, spent hours uncovering stories of her pioneer relatives in the days before the pageant and was particularly excited to find the story of her great-great-great-grandmother.

Dolan's ancestor was only 20 when she crossed the Plains with an LDS handcart company, leaving behind her home in England and burying her bother along the trail.

"It's great to know that I have actual blood ties to someone that courageous. It gives me hope that I can be just as courageous," Dolan said.

Dolan said she plans to join the society eventually when she is not so busy and can dedicate her time to genealogy. Dolan also said she was a little hesitant to join the group because most members are so much older than she is.

"The young women look at these old people and think they can't relate to them," she said.

That attitude, Johnson said, is exactly what the Daughters of Utah Pioneers is trying to fix by showing younger women that they can benefit from knowing both their pioneer ancestors as well as the older generations that are still alive to tell the stories.

"Young people struggle with their identity," Johnson said. "Knowing their ancestors helps them find themselves."

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E-mail: jody@desnews.com;

estewart@desnews.com