William Thomas Rule (1868-1957), A Montana Biography: Awarded First Prize

April 26, 2026

I’m excited to announce I’m the first prize winner of the Missoula Public Library Family History Writi ng Contest. Articles become part of the collection at the Montana State Library.

I wrote about William Thomas Rule (1868-1957), a man who witnessed the development of the American West. Rule actively took part in the settlement of at least three western states over two centuries. His life as a homesteader embodied the adventurous life of early Montana settlers. I’m tempted to remind folks that he’s not my family, but after a couple of years researching the Mr. Rule and his kin they feel like family!

Cow Boys, Putting On the “Pack,” postcard front and back, 1909, author’s collection.

FEATURED IMAGE: “11882-Flathead River, Montana,” Postcard, postmarked 24 August 1910, author’s collection.

About Author

Vanessa Wood is a genealogical researcher and writer specializing in American family history, with particular depth in Southern states, California, and families with roots in the United Kingdom. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and the National Genealogical Society (NGS), and holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. She is a First Prize winner of the 2026 Montana Family History Writing Contest and has 25+ published articles in journals including the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Vanessa is the author of Pryor Wives: Stories of Family, Fortune, and Fiasco (2023), Board in Venice (2025), and The Kinship Papers, Vol. 1. Her books are available on Amazon.com. She can be contacted via email.