Meet Stephen J. Buffat.
A professional historical and genealogical researcher, writer and lecturer with decades of experience solving complex research problems.
Founder & Principal Researcher
I am a professional historical and genealogical researcher, writer, and lecturer. My genealogical passion began with researching my own family more than forty years ago. Since the late 80s, I have been professionally researching for clients, undertaking a variety of research projects.
My research has included “brick wall” research for solving complex family history problems, multilayered lineage research to reinforce and extend family trees, lineage society research and applications, Native American research, LDS pioneer research, artifact research for dealers and individual collectors, and historical research for authors, historians, and professors.
I have extensive experience researching and analyzing federal, state, and local record types including military service and pension, census schedules, land, naturalization, wills and probate, cemetery, city directories, tax lists, newspapers, courthouse, immigration, church and other records.
I also have extensive experience researching in all types of repositories and archives including major library and manuscript collections, courthouses, and other national, state, local, and privately owned archives. Previously, I volunteered at the Hulston Research Library at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield in Missouri as a librarian and archivist and served as a volunteer patron librarian and supervisor at a regional Family History Center in Boise, Idaho.
A scientific approach to historical evidence.
Trained professionally as a research scientist and project manager in the areas of nanotechnology and semiconductors, I am acutely aware of the need to be critical in research details, methodologies and source documentation.
I provide my clients with a high level of competence and ethics, supplying my service first in the public interest and conforming to basic genealogical conventions. Observance to peer-enforced codes and standards are fundamental to me.
Testimonials from research clients.
The thoroughness of your report, the depth of the sources you consulted, and your creativity in pursuing paths of research were highly impressive. I particularly appreciate your initial consultation and your final report, which clearly explained the documentary evidence you discovered.
Mr. Buffat produced a convincing, thorough, and professionally written documented report that included both direct and indirect evidence of a valid link between each generation. Working with Mr. Stephen J. Buffat was a pleasure and quite rewarding.
Stephen has researched the origins of my paternal great grandfather and established his residence history and military service in the Civil War. His scientific research background seems to carry over into the elusive intricacies of piecemealing together family lineage.
Thank you for the work you completed converting Civil War Diary microfilm to readable script. The federal documents that you found have been most interesting and will be most helpful in my project.
My sister and I appreciate the excellent work and professionalism. I will be happy to recommend you and will keep you in mind for future help if we take on any more projects.
I am very pleased with the extensive research you did on the Quantrill Letter Archive. You went beyond the call of duty to include all the information you found, including pictures that were very useful to me.