Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research
• Speaking / Presenting
• Other Speciality

Buffat Historical & Genealogical Research provides professional historical and lineage‑based research services grounded in archival rigor, documentary evidence, and more than thirty years of experience in professional genealogy, with a focus on genealogical reconstruction, cemetery documentation, and public history interpretation. I support families, institutions, municipalities, and preservation organizations through accurate research, clear analysis, and well‑structured reporting that transforms archival sources into meaningful historical understanding.

Core Services:

• Genealogical Research & Lineage Reconstruction: Comprehensive, evidence‑driven family history research grounded in thorough analysis of vital records, probate files, land transactions, military service documents, church registers, newspapers, and archival collections. Services include multi‑generation lineage reconstruction, identification of ancestral origins, resolution of conflicting or incomplete evidence, and development of well‑supported conclusions using established genealogical standards. Deliverables feature detailed research summaries, document transcriptions, source citations, analytical notes, and narrative reports that clearly explain findings, reasoning, and next‑step recommendations for personal, historical, legal, or institutional purposes.
• Historical Research & Public History Consulting: Archival research, narrative development, and contextual historical analysis for museums, historical societies, municipalities, and community heritage organizations. Services include development of historical narratives, interpretive themes, exhibit support materials, walking tour content, and research for public‑facing programs. Work is grounded in documentary evidence and tailored to the needs of educators, curators, planners, and community stakeholders.
• Cemetery Documentation & Analysis: Historic burial ground surveys, gravestone transcription and interpretation, mapping, material identification, and condition assessment. Services support preservation planning, municipal documentation, and heritage landscape studies. Deliverables may include full inventories, photographic documentation, GIS‑based mapping, environmental risk analysis, and research packages suitable for preservation planning or National Register of Historic Places nominations.
• Archival & Records Research: Retrieval and analysis of municipal, county, state, and federal records, including land and probate files, military service records, tax lists, court documents, church registers, and specialized manuscript collections. Services support genealogical problem‑solving, historical research projects, legal inquiries, and institutional needs requiring precise, source‑based documentation.
• Narrative Reports & Publication‑Ready Writing: Professionally formatted research reports, historical narratives, interpretive content, and documentation prepared to academic, archival, or genealogical standards. Reports include clear analysis, structured argumentation, source citations, and contextual background suitable for publication, institutional use, or long‑term preservation.

Clients Served:

Families • Historical societies • Municipal agencies • Preservation organizations • Museums • Academic researchers • Legal and land‑use professionals

Geographic Specialities
United States: MO, KS, AK, IL, IA, ID, MA, NH, NJ, NY 

Europe: Scotland, England

Lectures

• Guest lecturer, Missouri State Genealogical Society Conference – 2013 Workshop:
  • “In Search of Your Civil War Ancestry” Conference:
  • “Dissecting Civil War Records for All They’re Worth”
• Guest lecturer, National Genealogical Society Conference – 2012
  • “In Search of Your Civil War Ancestry”
• Guest lecturer, Ozarks Genealogical Society – 2012
  • “National Archives Research”
• Guest lecturer, Ozarks Genealogical Society Conference – 2011
  • “Long-Distance Genealogy: Researching Your Ancestor from Afar”
• Guest instructor, St. Johns Chapel, (Workshop) – 2011
  • “Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree”
• Guest lecturer, Ozarks Genealogical Society Conference – 2010
  • “Conquering the Chaos: Organizing Your Genealogical Research”
• Guest lecturer, Daughters of Union Veterans – 2010
  • “Collecting, Researching & Documenting Civil War Relics”
• Guest lecturer, Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, State of Missouri (All day workshop) – 2010
  • “In Search of Your Confederate Ancestry”
• Guest lecturer, Ozarks Genealogical Society – 2010
  • “Timelines: Developing an Ancestor’s Chronology”
• Guest lecturer, National Civil War Preservation Trust Annual Conference – 2008
  • “In Search of Your Civil War Ancestry”
• Guest lecturer, Road Scholar / Elderhostel Program – 2008
  • “In Search of Your Civil War Ancestry”
• Guest lecturer, Confederate Memorial State Historic Site, Missouri (All-day workshop) – 2008
  • “In Search of Your Confederate Ancestry”
  • “Documents & Records of the Confederacy”
• Guest lecturer, Daughters of Union Veterans – 2007
  • “Researching Your Civil War Antiques & Collectibles”
• Guest lecturer, Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks - 2006
  • “Researching the Correct Soldier: Methodologies for Discovering Your Real Civil War Ancestor”
• Guest instructor, Family History Center training series - 2002
  • “Beginning Genealogy Series”

Repositories
City, county, and state repositories throughout the Midwest

New England (MA, NH, NJ, NY city, county, and state repositories)

Research Time Periods

• 19th Century
• 18th Century
• 17th Century

Affiliations

• National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society – 2022
• Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society – 2023
• American Historical Association – 2023
• Organization of American Historians – 2023
• National Council on Public History – 2023
• New England Historic Genealogical Society – 1980
• The National Genealogical Society – 1980
• Association of Professional Genealogists - 1980 

Degrees
MA History, Public History, honors

BA History, Early Colonial American History, Summa Cum Laude