The story he learned about his predecessors by gathering bits and pieces from across the globe began in the early 1800s when American LDS missionaries told Madsen about a "new Zion being created" in Utah. He was baptized in 1853 and set off three years later to take his persecuted family from Denmark to the United States for the religious freedom spoken of by the missionaries. His journey led him to Germany, England and then to America. Throughout the "adventure and hardship," as stated in the film, entitled "Walking in Obedience," the Madsen family, along with the group of saints they were traveling with, "kept their eyes on the goal ahead."

Their goal, even if it meant death and much lost along the way, was unified in the cause to get to Zion.

"It helps us in our day to realize what kind of a price was paid for us to enjoy the things we do here, and how very faithful these people were in their determination to build this community and to tame the desert," said Jolene S. Allphin, who has worked with Ericksen and continues to gather and write about various pioneer stories. She has published a book already and said she feels "a real responsibility" to people to keep it up.

"There's a lot to learn from these stories and these people."

Allphin said bringing families together with stories of their heritage is worth all the work that it takes to make it happen, adding that anyone can benefit from the result.

"There are things that I discover about them that can be important to anyone," she said, noting that many of the pioneers had a great sense of humor that added to their faith and determination and aided in the long journey.

Allphin directs those who are seeking out their own pioneer story to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, an organization that keeps records from all of the handcart companies that made the trek to Utah, as well as other pioneer stories. There are many Web sites as well, which help people search for family ties, even document their lives through transcribed journals and diaries.

Ericksen said the Madsen's story is told from personal journals that have been gathered through the years, as well as traditions that have been passed on. He calls it an actual account their of their journey.

"I can't prove every one of those (traditions), but you know what?" he said. "I don't think I need to."

Many of the facts used in the film, he said, were backed by second-person accounts of what happened.

Film crews trudged through bitter cold snowstorms and temperatures much like those the original pioneers had to face to capture an accurate portrayal of the original handcart treks to Utah.