diff --git a/fishbook/fishbook.py b/fishbook/fishbook.py
index d0c7fa1..62a2dd8 100644
--- a/fishbook/fishbook.py
+++ b/fishbook/fishbook.py
@@ -84,6 +84,10 @@ class Cell:
         str += "Cell: %s \t type: %s\n"%(self.id, self.type)
         return str
 
+    @property
+    def _tuple(self):
+        return self.__tuple.copy()
+
 
 class Dataset:
     def __init__(self, dataset_id=None, tuple=None):
@@ -187,6 +191,10 @@ class Dataset:
                     break
             self.__samplerate = 1000. / float(si)
 
+    @property
+    def _tuple(self):
+        return self.__tuple.copy()
+
 
 class RePro:
     def __init__(self, repro_id=None, tuple=None):
@@ -276,6 +284,10 @@ class RePro:
             repros = repros & p
         return [RePro(tuple=r) for r in repros]
 
+    @property
+    def _tuple(self):
+        return self.__tuple.copy()
+
 
 class Stimulus:
     def __init__(self, stimulus_id=None, tuple=None):
@@ -299,6 +311,21 @@ class Stimulus:
     def settings(self):
         return _safe_get_val(self.__tuple, "settings", "")
 
+    @property
+    def _tuple(self):
+        return self.__tuple.copy()
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def find(cell_id=None, repro_id=None, settings=None):
+        stims = Stimuli & True
+        if cell_id:
+            stims = stims & "cell_id = '{0:s}'".format(cell_id)
+        if repro_id:
+            stims = stims & "repro_id = '{0:s}'".format(repro_id)
+        if settings:
+            stims = stims & "settings like '%{0:s}%'".format(settings)
+        return [Stimulus(tuple=s) for s in stims]
+
 
 class Subject:
     def __init__(self, subject_id=None, tuple=None):
@@ -329,6 +356,10 @@ class Subject:
     def properties(self):
         return (SubjectProperties & self.__tuple).fetch(as_dict=True)
 
+    @property
+    def _tuple(self):
+        return self.__tuple.copy()
+
     @staticmethod
     def find(species=None):
         subjs = Subjects & True