Author, Researcher, 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 two ancestors born at sea, a shipwrecked rogue who survived Jamestown, two Mayflower passengers, one Mayflower Adventurer, 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, Downey Historical Society, and the Sacramento German Genealogical Society where he served six years as vice president. He also co-chaired 2 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.
BOOKS PUBLISHED
- 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
- NOW AVAILABLE! Contact Bill – Cole, Clarke, and Collier Pursue America’s Promises: The Story Continues 1633-1639
ARTICLES PUBLISHED
- English Origins of Job, John, Daniel, and Ruth Cole – 1st published in Mayflower Descendant, Vol 69 Winter 2021
- Jane Clarke: A Strong Woman. The English Origins of William Collier’s Wife – 1st published in Mayflower Descendant, Vol 69 Winter 2021
- Who is Sarah Walker? New Findings of the Wife of Plymouth Colony’s Nathaniel Warren – 1st published in Mayflower Descendant, Vol 71 Winter 2023
- TEENAGE WILDCATTERS IN WYOMING’S OIL FIELDS: Harold M. Cole, Ernest L. Barlow, & the Roe Family – Published by Passionate Genealogist July 2024
- Tribute to a Mentor and Friend: Paul E. Eickmann (1938-2024) FREE – Published by Passionate Genealogist July 2024
- GRABBER VERBS™ add Power to Your Stories – Published by Passionate Genealogist August 2024
- COMING SOON – Bullion Bend updated – 1st published by Santa Clara County Historical & Genealogical Society (CA), 2018
- COMING SOON – PC Hodges: An Exceptional Man and 1852 California Pioneer (updated) – 1st published by Surry County Genealogical Association (NC) 2003 [with 1st Time Published Images of PC & Judith Hodges]
PRESENTATIONS – Virtual or In Person
- A Grave Mistake? The English Origins of Old Comer Thomas Clarke
- A Mayflower Adventurer from the Beginning: William Collier.
- All Ancestors Great and Small: Researching England’s Records to Discover Genealogical Gems in Underutilized Treasure Troves
- An Amazing Ancestor: Shipwrecked, Jamestown Survivor, and Mayflower Compact Signer: Stephen Hopkins (Coming Soon)
- Are All New England Cole’s Related? New Y-DNA Findings (Coming Soon)
- 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 Libraries
- Enhance Your Storytelling with Creative Nonfiction Narratives (Coming Soon)
- How to Make Collaborative Genealogy Projects Work (NEW)
- Jane Clarke: A Strong Woman, Mother, and Plymouth Colonist (Coming Soon)
- 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 Census Records to Overcome Obstacles & Brick Walls
- PC Hodges: An Exceptional and 1852 California Pioneer (Coming Soon)
- Puritans, Plagues, and Promises: What Truly Caused the Great Migration to America (NEW)