Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research
• Speaking / Presenting
• Writing /Publishing

Pamela Byers is an academically-trained historian with the following experience, skills and education:  B.S. in Mass Communications with double minors in AMERICAN CULTURE & HISTORY and one year of graduate studies in PUBLIC HISTORY.  She has over 35 years’ experience identifying primary and secondary documents used to prove and disprove particulars, through research at the National Archives, Library of Congress, local courthouses, archives, libraries (including state, universities and the Church of Latter Day Saints), cemeteries, historical societies, historic homes, churches, personal interviews and internet resources. 

100% effective in researching the lineal descendants for 50+ Revolutionary War ancestors for clients applying for membership and supplemental ancestors to the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).  All applications were approved.  Served on the board of directors for the Hollywood Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution holding the positions of registrar (two terms), historian and secretary.  

Research to identify and locate unknown heirs for the Williamson County Chancery Court and probate/estate attorneys.  Research to locate clients’ unidentified relatives leading to family reunions.  

Appeared on The Learning Channel's "Breaking Amish" tv show after researching the lineage of one of the cast members.  

Volunteer as a genealogy expert at the Church of Latter Day Saints Family History Center in Los Angeles, CA and at large genealogy conventions such as the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree.  

Research and provide transcripts of primary legal documents to the USGENWEB Project, the leading and largest non-profit national genealogy project utilized by other researchers.  

Researched, designed, installed and managed the inaugural exhibition section on Smith County’s women’s history from 1890-1930 at Smith County Historical Museum’s (Corinth, TN).
Completed intensive research for a pictorial exhibit on the history of women’s experiences in the North and South during the Civil War for Oaklands Plantation Historic Home and Museum (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) in Murfreesboro, TN.  

Researched for the Heritage Foundation, in Franklin, TN, the history and legal documents to confirm the eligibility of “Swallowbarn,” an antebellum home for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.  Successfully disproved the regional belief the home had been built by Major Reid, aide-de-camp and biographer of President Andrew Jackson, rendering the home ineligible under Criterion A.  

Researched, wrote and presented the program, "Red, White & Blue,"  and won lst Place in the State of California/NSDAR for  "Best Cultural Events and Traditions Program" by an individual by the California State Society/NSDAR. 

• 100% effective in researching the lineal descendants for 50+ Revolutionary War ancestors for clients applying for membership and supplemental ancestors to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  All applications were approved.
• Research and produce family tree books and reports
• Research to locate clients’ unidentified relatives leading to family reunions.
• Researched and provided transcripts of primary legal documents to the USGENWEB Project, the leading and largest non-profit national genealogy project utilized by other researchers.  
• Of counsel to probate attorney.  Successfully found missing heirs.
• Volunteer genealogist at the Church of Latter Day Saints Genealogy Library.
• Volunteer “Ask an Expert” at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree.

In addition to family tree research, I specialize in the following areas:

Lineage Societies: Locates documents necessary to prove the bloodlines of clients for lineage societies including, but not limited to, the National Society of theDaughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) and the Mayflower Society to the Jamestowne Society. 

Heir Researcher/Missing Persons: Research to identify and locate unknown heirs for the Williamson County Chancery Court and probate/estate attorneys. Research to locate clients’ unidentified relatives leading to family reunions. 

African American/Black genealogy

Colonial and Court Records

American Wars

Emigration, Immigration and Naturalization

Geographic Specialities
I have lived in Franklin, TN just outside of Nashville for the past ten years.  By default, I have become an expert researcher for the Southern states.
Tennessee
Virginia
Kentucky
North Carolina
South Carolina
Alabama
Georgia
Louisiana

Testimonials
Pamela is extremely skilled at ancestral research. Her attention to detail is exceptional. She possesses a keen understanding of historical context and applies that to her reports." - G. Susan Mosley-Howard, Professor & Dean Emerita - Miami University (Client)

"If you are looking to join a lineage society and need assistance documenting your line, I would highly recommend Pam Byers. With her help in finding a key piece of evidence, I was finally able to join the Sons of the American Revolution!" - Jimmy Garrett (Client)

It was a pleasure working with Ms. Byers on my genealogical questions. Her research was thorough and of high quality, involving a multitude of references, and her work was accomplished with efficient speed. Her responses to inquiries were always timely, and her turn-around time for projects was entirely satisfactory. Murry Bentley, Ph.D. Baltimore (client)

Pam approaches her work with great vigor, goes the proverbial extra mile to track down sources, and prepares high-quality work in all her assignments. From her academic training in history, Pam brings a strong background in American history, impressive research skills, and critical thinking skills." - Mary S. Hoffschwelle, Ph.D., MTSU Professor of History

Pamela is a person whose expertise is liberally shared, allowing others to progress with their family history endeavors where, before, they were "stuck." Pamela was one of our "expert consultants" for the recent Research Assistance at the Southern Calif. Genealogical Society's Jamboree in Burbank, California (June 2013) and was one of the first to offer help to those who came to get assistance. She was both prompt and efficient and that is something for which we, on the Research Assistance committee, were exceedingly pleased. We hope she will be volunteering again next year. - Jean Wilcox Hibben - PhD,MA,CGsm Chair, SCGS Jamboree Research Assistance Committee

Pam Byers is a first class genealogy sleuth. She leaves no stone unturned when searching for the facts needed to confirm one's ancestry. I would not hesitate to work with her again and plan to do so in the future. A++" - George A. Goodchild, Creative Director at Plasma Phonic (Client) "

Pam is the genealogy expert for the Hollywood Chapter of the NSDAR. Helping prospective members trace their ancestors is a challenging process; Pam is dedicated, thorough, and a skilled researcher." - Rachel DeRiso, JD Candidate at Harvard University (Client)

"I know that along the way I mentioned how pleased I was with your research and keeping me informed as you found something. Well, take all of those feelings of surprise, wonderment and a feeling of making contact with my ancestors, then multiply that by 10, and you have my feelings of thanks. Seriously, you did bring me a lot of joy in reading your research. Thanks again!" - James Hightower (Client)

"Pam expertly guided me through the Daughters of the American Revolution membership application process and was always quick to respond when I had questions. Her patience, persistence, and friendliness was greatly appreciated." - Celia Rogus

Additional specialities or search keywords
NSDAR NSSAR Mayflower lineage War African-American Colonial Revolutionary Civil Society

Publications/Media
Featured genealogist on The Learning Channel's show "Breaking Amish."

Lectures
Best Cultural Events and Traditions Program by an Individual - Won lst place California State Society of the National Daughters of the American Revolution, 2007.

Speaker at the National Daughters of the American Revolution, Tennessee State Conference"Creating Your Family Archives and Beyond" program, 2017.

Repositories
Tennessee State Library and Archives, Williamson County, Tennessee Archives
Subscription Genealogy websites:  Ancestry.com, Fold3.com, Newspapers.com, New England Genealogical and Historical Society

Research Time Periods

• 21st Century
• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century
• 17th Century
• 16th Century and Earlier

Honorifics/Credentials

• Best Cultural Events and Traditions Program/Project by an Individual – 1^st Place – California State Society/NSDAR, 2007 
• MTSU Full tuition scholarship for post-graduate studies
• MTSU Graduate Thesis Research Grant, 2003-2004
• NSDAR - Hollywood Chapter, Full tuition scholarship, 2001-2002
• Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society
• Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society (History Honor Society)

Dean's list in undergraduate and graduate studies

Affiliations
Daughters of the American Revolution, Old Glory Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution, Hollywood Chapter, Historian, Corresponding Secretary, and Registrar
New England Historic Genealogical Society
Southern California Genealogical Society 
Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles
Middle Tennessee State University's History Club - Vice President and Secretary.
National Women’s History Museum
National Council on Public History
Association of Graduate Students in History, 2003-2004

Degrees
One year of graduate studies in Public History - Graduate Teaching Assistant to the Dean of the History Department
B. A. Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and double minors in History & American Culture including 12 hours of archeology including field school for six weeks at "Dust Cave," a Paleo-Indian site, outside of Florence, Alabama.