Traditional Genealogy
Ancestral relationships, kinship, family trees and the lives of individuals in historical context.
Learn more →Professional Historical Genealogist
Discover the people, places and records behind your history.
Professional genealogical and historical research grounded in careful methodology, source documentation and decades of hands-on research experience.
New England BasedIdeally located for research throughout the USA
Evidence DrivenResearch guided by the Genealogical Proof Standard
Decades of ExperienceProfessional client research since the late 1980s
Preserving legacies
Genealogy brings us closer to the lives that came before us.
It is a great privilege to honor those who have passed before us by preserving their legacies.
Whether you are just starting or have extensive research experience, genealogical and historical research can reveal the people, places and records that shaped your family's journey. Many of the most important answers still require hands-on work in archives, repositories, courthouses, cemeteries and specialized collections.
Buffat Genealogical & Historical Research Services brings extensive experience in those sources and facilities throughout the United States.
Research services
Focused research for complex family and historical questions.
From traditional genealogy to military records, lineage applications and historic property research, each project begins with a clearly defined goal.
Military Research
Military service and pension records, with specialties from the Revolutionary War through World War I.
Learn more →Archival Research
On-site research in major archives, libraries, manuscript collections, courthouses and specialized repositories.
Learn more →Historic Properties
Ownership, deeds, building records, photographs and chain-of-title research for homes and properties.
Learn more →Lineage Applications
Evidence research and preparation support for lineage society membership applications.
Learn more →Documents & Heirlooms
Record retrieval, transcription, abstraction, digitization and research involving family papers and heirlooms.
Learn more →Research method
A clear process from question to documented conclusion.
Consultation
Define a focused research question and review what is already known.
Agreement
Confirm the scope, research time, fees and project expectations in writing.
Research
Conduct a reasonably exhaustive search using sources relevant to the goal.
Analysis
Analyze evidence, resolve conflicts and document sources fully and accurately.
Report
Deliver findings, conclusions, methodology and recommendations for next steps.
Founder & principal researcher
Stephen J. Buffat
Professional historical and genealogical researcher, writer and lecturer.
Stephen's genealogical passion began with researching his own family more than forty years ago. Since the late 1980s, he has professionally researched for clients across a wide range of projects, including complex “brick wall” problems, multilayered lineage research, lineage society applications, Native American research, LDS pioneer research, military history, artifact research and historical research for authors, historians and professors.
Archival ResearchMilitary RecordsEvidence AnalysisLecturer & Writer
Mission
Professional research with rigorous standards.
Our mission is to provide professional and quality research to individuals and businesses, promote people and historical connections, and preserve the past through proven research methodologies, results and support.
Quality of service, expertise and ethics are central to every project. Research is conducted with careful attention to accepted genealogical standards and source documentation.
“
The thoroughness of your report, the depth of the sources you consulted, and your creativity in pursuing paths of research were highly impressive.
“
Mr. Buffat produced a convincing, thorough, and professionally written documented report that included both direct and indirect evidence.
“
His skill in his scientific research background seems to carry over into the elusive intricacies of piecemealing together the details of a family lineage.
Professional affiliations
Committed to the genealogical community.
