The publication of California Central Coast Pioneer Families offers researchers an unprecedented opportunity to acquire a comprehensive collection of many pioneer family histories published originally in the Santa Maria Valley Genealogical Society & Library Quarterly, from 1977 to 2004. This two-volume work, compiled by Barbara Bruce Cole as the principal researcher, along with other contributors, provides the lineage and history of 88 pioneer families, and the connections of over 2500 families. Of equal importance, the publication of this work marks the first time these family history articles have been completely indexed!

Meticulously Sourced. Barbara Cole placed verified sources within her charts. With the exception of those who married into these interrelated pioneer families, later groups migrating into the area were not included in her original research. This substantial body of work reflects Barbara Cole's vision and dedication to the genealogy of early settlers of our Santa Maria Valley and adjacent areas of San Luis Obispo County.

Indexed. With this publication, family connections can be cross-referenced using an extensive Index of cousin names. Standard charts are spiced with the author's gentle humor in the commentary and actual newspaper articles. The interconnections are amazing to read.

National Interest. Many of the pioneers were farmers traceable back to earlier Midwestern censuses. From 1968 to 2004, the Santa Maria Valley Genealogical Society & Library Quarterly published extensive findings by Barbara Cole and others. An inherent value of reprinting the results together is reflected in the broad appeal to foremost genealogy archives and libraries which subscribed to the SMVGS Quarterly. We continue here with Barbara's original intent of publishing her book.

About the Compiling Author: Barbara Bruce Cole was born in Schenectady, New York, and graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Her adult life was spent in Santa Maria as wife of a writer, later instilling the importance of the past to her beloved grandchildren. In addition to being Ye Editor of the Quarterly, Barbara also oversaw SMVGS's publishing of local newspaper abstracts, cemetery listings, and mortuary indexes.