Genealogy Research: Discovering the Stories of the Past
Pamela Nila
I'm Pamela Nila, an independent researcher, lifelong learner, and now—first-time author. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by history and the stories that connect us to the past. My initial curiosity about genealogy and my own family tree eventually blossomed into a decades-long journey through archives, libraries, and dusty newspaper reels, uncovering the hidden stories of people whose voices were almost lost to time.
Professionally, my background has been a blend of military service, adult education, community programming, and information sciences. Throughout this journey, I discovered a deep passion for historical research—especially when it highlights remarkable lives that history books sometimes overlook.
My first book tells the inspiring story of Genevieve Behrend, a woman who forged her own path in the early 20th century as a spiritual teacher, writer, and lecturer. She was the only personal student of Judge Thomas Troward, a leader in the New Thought movement, and she dedicated her life to sharing ideas about faith, creativity, and the power of the human mind. For years, only fragments of her life were known, but through diligent historical research in old newspapers, public records, and rare books, I was able to construct a fuller portrait of this fascinating woman.
I also manage a small independent imprint, Thee Sisters Publishing, to help bring historical works and research projects like mine into the world.
These days, I reside in Illinois, where I stay busy researching, writing, and speaking at genealogy societies and history groups. Whether I’m helping someone uncover their family story or exploring forgotten chapters of the past, I’m driven by the belief that history matters—and that the people who came before us, like Genevieve Behrend, still have valuable lessons to teach us today.
