Stafford Society is a reputable and informative gealogical research website dedicated to compiling and sharing research information about the Stafford family name and history. As a nonprofit genealogical research and educational corporation, they have been incorporated in the State of Washington since December 2005. The society is committed to assisting Stafford researchers by providing a single repository of all available information and fostering a collaborative environment.

The Stafford surname is believed to have originated from families residing in Staffordshire, England. Surnames began to be used in Europe during the 12th century, but it took several more centuries for them to become widespread. The society acknowledges that the International Genealogical Index includes variations such as Sanford, Safford, and Stanford under the surname Stauffer.

The society's mission is to support researchers of all Stafford branches and to create an accurate and comprehensive database of information. They encourage individuals to share any details they possess about their earliest known Stafford ancestor, including their spouses and children. The society's online genealogical data is limited to members in order to ensure the accuracy of their single version of the facts.

Stafford Society currently recognizes 237 distinct Stafford Branches. As new evidence emerges, related branches are merged into a unified branch. Through male Y-DNA testing, they have identified eight distinct Stafford lineages that share multiple branches.

These branches will continue to be treated separately in the database until paper connections can be established. Membership to the Stafford Society is available for a yearly fee of $15, which helps sustain the society and its research efforts. For queries or to submit information, interested individuals can contact the society via email.

Join the Stafford Society today and contribute to the rich tapestry of Stafford family history