Lecture Series

Lecture Series Slider
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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 Voyage of Mayflower 400
Presenter: Brett Phaneuf

Passcode: 36&K+PG%


Mutinous Women
Presenter: Joan DeJean

Passcode: +RZ.d!A0

Welcome to Pilgrim Hall Museum
Presenter: Donna Curtin

Passcode: K@w3L#Jo

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

The Pilgrims and America’s War Over Its History

Presenter: John Turner

Passcode: t@hK2y^5

2022 Mayflower Society Virtual Programs

King Philip’s War Presenter: Michael Tougias Passcode: !&kg5?vG
The Winslow Family and Plymouth Colony Presenters: Rebecca Fraser and Michelle Marchetti Coughlin Passcode: Jj#F34R9
Diseases and Epidemics in Colonial New England Presenter: Shellie Karol-Chik Passcode: iG=*sq95 Handout


Beefing Up an Ancestor’s Timeline

Presenter: Jeanette Sheliga

Setting Sail to the Mayflower Society with the Silver Books as Your Guide
Presenter: Bonnie Wade Mucia
Passcode: m3cL^zZC
Mayflower Society DNA Project
Presenters: Mike Terry, Susan Abanor and Kenneth Whittemore
Passcode: ajI2.8wq
Locating Records in Archives from the Couch
Presenter: Sara Cochran
Passcode:  H!?gN=1y
The First Thanksgiving, 1621
Presenters: Karen Rinaldo and Kevin Doyle
Passcode:  PI.k6ufE

2021 Mayflower Society Virtual Programs

400 Years on Leyden Street
Presenter: Lisa Pennington
Passcode: 9Yrl=8q?

Made in America
Presenter: James W. Baker
Passcode:  W?=YE77$

The Peregrine White Webinar
Presenter: Stephen C. O’Neill
Passcode:  X&F9Sm5$