Family Historian, Author, and Presenter
Bill Cole’s passion for genealogy and family history began at an early age. Born on his grandfather Cole’s 78th birthday, he has vigorously pursued his family history since 1980. Bill has uncovered ancestors born at sea, a shipwrecked rogue who survived Jamestown, two Mayflower ancestors, multiple Revolutionary War patriots on both sides, and other fascinating characters – including one involved in a California stagecoach robbery.
Bill is a member of the Mayflower Society, American Ancestors (formerly New England Historic Genealogical Society), Downey Historical Society, Surry County Genealogical Society in North Carolina, and the Sacramento German Genealogical Society where he served six years as vice president. He also co-chaired the International German Genealogy Conferences held in Minneapolis in 2017 and in Sacramento in 2019. In business, Bill Cole is an internationally respected trainer, keynote speaker and executive coach. His presentations have taken him to North, Central, and South America, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and England.
AUTHORITY PUBLISHING BOOKS
- The ABC Formula: Building Your Life’s Enduring Core Values
- Bullion Bend: Confederate Stagecoach Robbers, Murder Trials, and the California Supreme Court – Oh My!
- Puritans, Plagues, and Promises: Cole, Clarke, and Collier in England to America
ARTICLES PUBLISHED
- The English Origins of Job, John, Daniel, and Ruth Cole – First published in Mayflower Descendant, Vol 69 Winter Journal 2021
- Jane Clarke: A Strong Woman. The English Origins of William Collier’s Wife – First published in Mayflower Descendant, Vol 69 Winter Journal 2021
- Who is Sarah Walker? New Findings of the Wife of Plymouth Colony’s Nathaniel Warren – First published in Mayflower Descendant, Vol 71 Winter Journal 2023
- COMING SOON – Teenage Wildcatters in Wyoming’s Oil Fields: Harold M. Cole, Ernest L. Barlow, and the Roe Family
- COMING SOON – Bullion Bend updated – First published by Santa Clara County Historical & Genealogical Society (CA), 2018
- COMING SOON – PC Hodges: An Exceptional Man who came to California in 1852 updated – First published by Surry County Genealogical Association (NC) 2003
PRESENTATIONS – Virtual or In Person
- A Grave Mistake? The English Origins of Old Comer Thomas Clarke
- A Mayflower Adventurer from the Beginning: William Collier. A significant contributor to Plymouth Colony’s survival and success
- All Ancestors Great and Small: Researching England’s Records to Discover Genealogical Gems in Underutilized Treasure Troves
- Breathe Life into Your Genealogy with the Power of Story
- Breathe More Life into Your Genealogy with Storytelling Tips & Writing Techniques
- Bullion Bend: Confederate Stagecoach Robbers, Murder Trials, and the California Supreme Court – Oh My!
- Discover Genealogical Gems in the California State Archives and Library
- Do’s and Don’ts of Collaborative Genealogy Projects
- Make Sense Out of the U.S. Census 1: 1900-1950 Fact or Fiction?
- Make More Sense Out of the U.S. Census 2: 1850-1890
- Make the Most Sense Out of the U.S. Census 3: 1790-1840
- Move Beyond U.S. Census Records: Overcoming Obstacles and Brick Walls
Presentations & Articles in Development (Working Titles)
- A Winning Formula for Writing Short Genealogy Stories
- An Amazing Ancestor: Stephen Hopkins: Shipwrecked, Jamestown Survivor, and Mayflower Passenger
- Pleasant Cunningham “PC” Hodges: [includes 1st Time Published Images of PC & Judith Hodges]