It is never an easy task to find primary sources of information on women of the American West. Primary sources are sources such as diaries and letters. Diaries are the most important source to gain an understanding of women pioneers' lives and experiences. They recall incidents that occurred during their times. They also record what they felt at that time.
Letters are the second most important resource.
Since, families communicated only by letters, they gave good perception to the lives of homesteaders. Twenty states constituted the West. For millions of Americans, the West was a land of opportunities. Then in 1875, most of the West was occupied by them. Many had opportunities in hunting, farming and shopkeeping.