
Lecture Series
In 2021, the Mayflower Society launched a very popular Lecture Series covering a variety of Mayflower Pilgrim-related topics including their odyssey, their life and times, their maritime experience and, of course, genealogy!
Please plan to join us to enjoy learning more about Mayflower Pilgrim and genealogy topics from the comfort of your home.
- Monthly webinar lectures are free and open to the public.
- No pre-registration required.
- Live event links are posted below.
- Webinars are recorded and available on demand.
Missed a lecture? View previously recorded lectures on demand.
2023 Mayflower Society Virtual Program Schedule
Tuesday October 3, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Eastern time
Zoom webinar information:
- Webinar Link
- Webinar ID: 878 3576 2378
- Webinar Passcode: 777728
Denise Cross, “Bridging the Gap: Getting Around Brick Walls”
Certified genealogist Denise Cross discusses overcoming some of the ‘brick walls’ that are encountered when tracing one’s genealogy. By showing case studies of New Englanders’ migration patterns, she will show how people can trace their own roots by gaining records from multiple sources and locations, and how people can get over that wall using research techniques.

Tuesday November 14, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Eastern time
Zoom webinar information:
- Webinar Link
- Webinar ID: 860 9002 2492
- Webinar Passcode: 539452
Bill Cole: “Puritans, Plagues and Promises”
A significant contributor to Plymouth Colony’s survival and success, William Collier was one of its most loyal investors from the beginning. Before and after Mayflower’s voyage, William Collier was one of the investor group who financed Mayflower’s voyage and continued to support the colony through the early difficult struggle for its survival. In 1633, he emigrated to Plymouth Colony with his entire family. Upon arrival he quickly became Governor Bradford’s key assistant. Author/presenter Cole explores his ancestor’s significant impact on Plymouth Colony. He was Assistant Governor many times, negotiated the Merchant Adventurers’ financial exit from the colony in 1641, and was selected as a commissioner to establish the New England Confederation (or United Colonies of New England) in 1643. Collier’s impact and legacy lasted well beyond him with five daughters who married well: Mary, Governor Prence’s second wife, Rebecca who married Job Cole, Sarah who married Love Brewster, Elizabeth who married Constant Southworth, and Ruth who married Daniel Cole—William E. “Bill” Cole’s eighth great-grandparents. William Collier is Cole’s tenth great-grandfather.
Tuesday December 12, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Eastern time
Zoom webinar information:
- Webinar Link
- Webinar ID: 865 7577 5992
- Webinar Passcode: 279541
Michael Tougias, “Indian Wars of New England”
NY Times bestselling author Michael Tougias will discuss the conflicts involving the colonists and Native Americans in New England in the 17th and 18th centuries. Tougias will cover the Pequot War, King Philip’s War, and the French and Indian Wars. Strategies of the natives as well as the colonial raids will be discussed in chronological order. These include Rogers Rangers raid on the St. Francis Indian village, Lovewell’s Fight in New Hampshire and Maine, Metacom’s uprising in the Connecticut River valley, and more. Gripping accounts of colonial women captives, such as Mary Rowlandson, Susanna Johnson, and Hannah Dustin, will also be covered.
View On Demand Webinars
2023 Mayflower Society Virtual Programs
Welcome to the Plymouth Antiquarian Society
Presenter: Anne Mason
Passcode: %u$m2Kfa
Welcome to Plimoth Patuxet
Presenter: Tom Begley
Passcode: TXn3w=B.
The Virginia Venture: American Colonization and English Society 1580-1660
Presenter: Misha Ewen
Passcode: V6Zq.PKv
The Voyage of Mayflower 400
Presenter: Brett Phaneuf
Passcode: 36&K+PG%
Mutinous Women
Presenter: Joan DeJean
Passcode: +RZ.d!A0
Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History
Presenter: Richard Thompson Ford
Passcode: =Jvu#4y8
The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World
Presenter: Virginia Postrel
Passcode: nkSG^7h3
2022 Mayflower Society Virtual Programs
Beefing Up an Ancestor’s Timeline
Presenter: Jeanette Sheliga
Presenter: Bonnie Wade Mucia
Passcode: m3cL^zZC
Presenter: Mark Schmidt
Passcode: peNr@7j!
Presenter: Beth Finch McCarthy
Passcode: !Z#9hWdC
Presenter: Nancy Rubin Stuart
Passcode: %dLU$h17
Presenters: Mike Terry, Susan Abanor and Kenneth Whittemore
Passcode: ajI2.8wq
2021 Mayflower Society Virtual Programs
Made in America
Presenter: James W. Baker
Passcode: W?=YE77$
The Peregrine White Webinar
Presenter: Stephen C. O’Neill
Passcode: X&F9Sm5$