Research Guide
Eliza R. Snow
Overview
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Research Advice and Guidance
This section provides basic guidance for completing research and includes some suggestions on where to find additional materials about Eliza R. Snow.
Name and Spelling
Eliza is commonly referred to as Eliza R. Snow. However, she was married to both Joseph Smith Jr. and Brigham Young. She began using the surname Smith in 1880 and never used the surname Young. Records related to Eliza can be found using variations of her name, such as “Eliza Roxcy Snow” and “Eliza Roxcy Snow Smith.” Occasionally, the “c” is left out of her middle name, and sometimes the “c” is replaced with an “e,” so searching for “Eliza Roxy Snow,” “Eliza Roxey Snow,” or “Eliza Snow” may yield additional search results.Church History Library and Other Institutions
For collections held at the Church History Library, theOther libraries and archives also contain holdings related to Eliza R. Snow, such as the special collections and libraries at
Personal Papers
Eliza R. Snow was a prolific writer. She kept journals, wrote letters, delivered discourses, composed poetry, authored books, and more. Much of what is known about Eliza comes from her personal writings in journals and correspondence. This section provides information on where and how to find such sources.
Journals
Eliza kept several journals. Some of the content has been transcribed and published in books such as The Personal Writings of Eliza Roxcy Snow, edited by Maureen Ursenbach Beecher. Digitized copies of some of Eliza’s original journals can be found in the Church History Catalog, such as theCorrespondence
In the 19th century, written correspondence was the primary form of long-distance communication. Eliza wrote many letters, but few of her letters have been digitized. Searching the Church History Catalog for “Eliza R. Snow, correspondence” or “Eliza R. Snow, letters” will result in a list of correspondence collections and items housed at the Church History Library.Published Works
During her lifetime, many of Eliza’s works, poetry, hymns, and the like were published, and many of them are available at the Church History Library (in both hard copy and digital format) and online. For instance, in 1880Discourses
Eliza’sPoetry
Eliza is arguably most well known for her poetry. She was a gifted writer. During her lifetime, she was referred to as “Zion’s Poetess” and the “Poetess of Utah.” Several of her poems were set to music and have become beloved Latter-day Saint hymns, including “
Most of Eliza’s poems can be found in her journals and personal papers. Many were printed in Church publications and secular periodicals. Newspaper search engines, such as
Eliza’s poetry has been analyzed by many historians. For instance, in 2009, Jill Mulvay Derr and Karen Lynn Davidson published their edited compilation Eliza R. Snow: The Complete Poetry. Maureen Ursenbach Beecher wrote the article “
Relief Society
Primary and Secondary Sources
Many primary sources regarding Eliza’s participation in the Relief Society can be found in the Church History Catalog. Some examples include theSome additional sources that include information about Eliza and her participation in the Relief Society are
Woman’s Exponent
The
In addition to the Church History Catalog, digital copies of the Woman’s Exponent can be found on several websites. Utah Digital Newspapers offers a word-searchable edition of the
Using the
Eliza created content that was published in other newspapers as well. Periodicals such as the Deseret News and Salt Lake Herald also featured poetry, articles, and speeches by Eliza R. Snow.
The
Funeral and Burial
Eliza R. Snow died on December 5, 1887, in Salt Lake City. She was 83 years old. Newspapers all over the country included articles, life sketches, and obituaries dedicated to her. News of Eliza’s passing also made its way into a few international papers. In 1888 the funeral services, along with a biographical sketch of Eliza, were printed in a pamphlet titled
Eliza was buried in Brigham Young’s private cemetery. The
Additional Literature
Eliza’s talents and life experiences have inspired many researchers and authors. This section provides examples of some of the literature that has been published about Eliza.
Academic Journal Articles
Derr, Jill Mulvay. “Derr, Jill Mulvay. “
Mulvay, Jill C. “
Palmer, Spencer J. “
Reeder, Jennifer. “Eliza R. Snow and the Prophet’s Gold Watch: Time Keeper as Relic.” Journal of Mormon History, vol. 31, no. 1 (Spring 2005), 119–41.
Books and Additional Sources
Beecher, Maureen Ursenbach, ed. The Personal Writings of Eliza Roxcy Snow. Logan: Utah State University Press, 2000.Bushman, Claudia L., ed. Mormon Sisters: Women in Early Utah. Cambridge: Emmeline Press, 1976.
Crocheron, Augusta Joyce. Representative Women of Deseret: A Book of Biographical Sketches. Salt Lake City: J. C. Graham & Co., 1884.
Davidson, Karen Lynn, and Jill Mulvay Derr. Eliza: The Life and Faith of Eliza R. Snow. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2014.
Hansen, Elizabeth. A High and Glorious Place: A New Play about Eliza R. Snow. Zion’s Art, 1996.