1 Lloyd's Steamboat Directory and Disasters on the Western Waters by James T. Lloyd (Land Yacht Press). The steamboat's invention in the late 18th century did more than inspire passages for Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi — it propelled settlers into the western frontier and opened up rich opportunities for merchants and manufacturers. Lloyd's Steamboat Directory was originally published in 1856, during the height of steamboat travel. This edition contains a new introduction that offers a contemporary look at steamboat travel. You'll find maps that mark towns and cities on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and discover what early life on the river waters was like for your ancestors. Riverboats weren't always a safe means of travel: Many boats exploded, caught fire or collided with other vessels. For each disaster, Lloyd's lists those killed, wounded or missing — a big plus for genealogists.

2 Nothing Like It in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad, 1863-1869 by Stephen E. Ambrose (Touchstone Books). On May 10, 1869, the famous golden spike that joined the East with the West was driven into the ground at Promontory Summit, Utah. The transcontinental railroad's completion gave our ancestors a quicker way to travel and settle out West. The late Ambrose tells the story of the laborers, investors, corporations and politicians who contributed to its construction. Whether your ancestors enjoyed the luxury of rail travel once the railroad was completed or were among the many thousands of Chinese and Irish immigrants, defeated Confederates and other workers who helped build it, this book will open your eyes to an interesting part of your family history. Even those with Native American heritage will find this book relevant because it discusses the encroachment of Native American land. Complete with maps and photographs, Nothing Like It in the World combines personal stories and interesting facts to create a unique portrayal of a remarkable feat.