Genealogy and the Pony Express

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the first Pony Express mail delivery service. On April 3, 1860, the first relay teams of horses and riders made their way from St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California simultaneously. Ten days later, the westbound rider arrived in Sacramento, beating the eastbound rider to St. Joseph by two days. The Pony Express’s delivery speed was nearly unheard of at the time.

The Pony Express was co-founded by William Russell, Alexander Majors and William Waddell with the aim to create a fast mail route to the west coast. During its short lifespan, the Pony Express employed over a hundred riders at over a 100 stations.

Buffalo Bill

Although the Pony Express was only in operation for 18 months before the telegraph put it out of business, it remains a highly popular part of American Western lore. William Cody, otherwise known as Buffalo Bill, is perhaps the most legendary Pony Express rider in American Western folklore.

Check out the Pony Express project on Geni and help trace the genealogy of everyone involved in the Pony Express! You may even find that you’re related!

View The Pony Express Project