My Dear Aunt Martha: a 19th Century American Epic from the Letters of Those Who Lived It is based upon the comprehensive contents of nearly 80 letters between settlers of the Illinois Territory and the loved ones they left behind in Pennsylvania. These documents provide first-person perspectives upon ordinary and extraordinary events of the period 1811-1893 (War of 1812, Gold Rushes, Civil War, Mormon War, etc) that we know only from history books.   As well, the writers unknowingly rubbed shoulders with those who would become famous historical figures, including Lincoln, Custer, Mormon founder Joseph Smith, etc.  Described by one university archivist as “platinum,” this is the first publication of the complete collection. The book received the Illinois State Historical Society's 2011 Award of Excellence.