In the process of going through these piles (mostly CAT) of old bearings my biggest problem is finding part #s when the box is disintegrated to the point I can't read it for parts. So, I need to get the #s off the bearings themselves. Various manufacturers "protected" their bearings with various coatings throughout the years. "Cosmoline is one of the examples. Some of this stuff can be a nightmare to remove. Does anybody out there  know a good method of removing these coatings. Soaking in kerosene or something like that maybe? I'm trying to sell these bearings (and seals) in one bunch so I need to know what I have to offer. 

Red brake cleaner on a rag, just clean where the numbers are.
Bob

Put Cosmoline coated parts in hot water if you want to remove all of it. Oil afterwards of course.

I wonder if it would stink the house up if I threw them in a pot on the wood stove?

Most of my experience for removing Cosmo is from old military firearms. All the above will work as will a simple heat gun to remove large excess amounts. Hot water gets rid of a lot of it but because Cosmo is not soluble in water it leaves a lot of residue.
Solvents, even brake cleaner, works but as working with all solvents and cleaners use caution. Personally I use Kroil as it removes the Cosmo and is not as volatile as Kerosene, Acetone etc. As pointed out above be sure to re-lube after cleaning the Cosmo.

try shellite aalso known as white stove fuel. and recoat them with heavy duty lanolin such as the one from lanotec after wards. you could also use crc soft seal or fluid film too.

if you use brake cleaner dont use heat as it can form toxic gas especially for the chlorinated solvents.