Professional Genealogist. Family and House History Research in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge and Essex

Gill Blanchard

BA. MA. PGCE (PCE).

Historian, Researcher, Tutor and Author.

Genealogy. Family History. House History. Local History.

Research

I have a first degree in History and Sociology and a Masters degree in History and Politics and have recently gained a Certificate in Architectural History - Theory and Practice from the University of East Anglia. I have been conducting family, house and local history research since 1992, beginning my research career at the Norfolk Record Office where I worked as a researcher and with the public for nearly six years. I started my research company, Past Search, in 1997 and gained my Post Graduate Certificate in Education in 1998.

Since then I have worked as a researcher across East Anglia and combine this with teaching classes in family and local history. I provide research services to private individuals, authors, academics and commercial companies as well as giving talks and and tutorials to a wide variety of organisations across the country. I also teach a Post Graduate Family History module at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. The Research module for this course begins in October 2009

I work with Pharos Teaching and Tutoring to offer online Family History Courses. I also offer a regular programme of courses through the Norfolk Family History Society at their centre in Norwich. Details below.

I specialise in research in the East of England, particularly Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex, but I'm happy to consider commissions anywhere in the country.

My new book is available now. "Tracing your East Anglian Ancestors - A Guide for Family Historians" is published by Pen and Sword Books Ltd. It provides a practical and informative guide to the resources that are available for tracing your East Anglian Ancestors and understanding their lives.

I will be be starting two new on-line courses for Pharos Teaching and Tutoring.

Become a Better Genealogist, which has just started, is now full but will be repeated in the early part of next year.

Searching for Wills and Administrations in England and Wales will begin on 27/10/2009

I will be running courses next year at the Norfolk Family History Society: 'From Computers to Records: How to Develop your Research Beyond the Internet' and 'Writing Your Family History', concentrating on how to bring your ancestors to life and how to present your research as a written story. These will be held at the society's centre at Kirby Hall, Norwich. Dates to be confirmed. Again these topics have proved very popular so contact me for further details.

Gill is a meticulous researcher with considerable experience in local and family history sources. I always feel in control of the research process, but am equally able to rely on Gill to help guide the strategy. It’s a great working partnership. While distance makes it impossible for me to do this research myself – it’s the next best thing to being in the Norfolk archives. Prof. Ian Anderson, Australia

I’m writing to thank you very much for being my partner and expert guide, over the last year, in the adventure searching for my Norfolk past! Living so far away, I really could not have made such incredible progress without your thoroughly professional guidance and support. Apart from the substantial research you have undertaken on my behalf, I am really grateful also for all the informative insights and advice you have been prepared so willingly to offer. I look forward to reaping further the considerable benefit of your expertise during the coming year as together we continue to develop this man’s story!

"I have been on two courses run by Gill, one online and one in a more traditional classroom setting. The online course relating to the Poor and the Poor Law in the 19th Century, was thorough in content and expertise. In true teacher fashion Gill leads her students towards the answers, while ensuring they experience the research process and reach their own conclusions. The more traditional post-graduate course was equally thorough and professional. Gill is an excellent teacher who is generous with her support, advice and expertise. Any course run by her will guarantee an enjoyable experience and will effectively develop your own skills. If you see one advertised, don’t hesitate but sign up immediately before all the places are gone!"

Past Search has been a great help, unearthing wills, land holdings, and
other records from my family's past that I would not have been able to
find for myself and with a service that's friendly and accessible.

Gill Blanchard has done many hours of research for me. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the service which I have received. The research is thorough and expert; the reports are well-organised and professional. I unhesitatingly recommend Gill and Past Search.

Gill has provided a research service for my Norfolk and Suffolk family history studies for the past four years. She has always provided a courteous, friendly and thoroughly professional service, which I recommend highly for anyone wishing to look into their East Anglian family history.

Gill has been carrying out research for me for nearly 8 years and I am extremely pleased with the results. She is very thorough in her approach and has given me good advice regarding other avenues to progress. I am particularly impressed by the personal service I have received - Gill has found records for some of my ancestors in parishes I'd never even have thought of to check by noticing my "names" whilst undertaking other work.

I'd like to thank you for the work that you have undertaken for me recently in regards to tracing my husband's Norfolk family. I am still in the process of looking at all the information that you have provided me with. I have now purchased certificates that confirm some of the family members that you came up with. I have also located Herbert Henrys birth certificate which eluded me for some time. I would certainly recommend that anyone researching their Norfolk ancestors should contact you for assistance. I will certainly be contacting you in the near future with regards to seeing if you can find further people.

Gill Blanchard has been conducting family research on my Norfolk roots for several years. She offers a highly professional service extracting lots of data from sources others would probably fail to unearth. Her concise and erudite précis of ancient convoluted wills have proven a boon and enabled me to trace ancestors back to the 15th century. My only regret is that I have not found others of Gill's equal for all parts of my tree. I would thoroughly recommend her to the serious student of genealogy

Last August you did me a superb report of Godfrey entries in Parish Registers ... In this respect I would be grateful if you could do some more research for me.

Having attended one of Gill's "further steps" family history courses, I was most impressed with her thorough knowledge of the subject and preparation before each class and her encouragement during those classes to explore every aspect of our research. I know we all eagerly looked forward to her classes each week.

I have very much enjoyed classes that I have attended. They were relaxed, enjoyable and very informative, with each session being flexible enough to provide for the needs of that group.

I attended classes at The Family History Centre, where Gill Blanchard was the tutor, her knowledge and experience of family history shone through, along with an enthusiasm which was infectious, it helped me to get involved, researching and thoroughly enjoying (probably forever) this fascinating subject.

Phyll Clements (beginning at 69yrs). North East Norfolk .

Thank you for the excellent research you have completed on my family history on my behalf. Your meticulous and determined approach has uncovered records that I could never find, or even hope to find. I sincerely appreciate your efforts and the many avenues your research has provided me to continue with my family's history

Gill pursued the history of our early Georgian house in Norfolk with
dedicated vigour and professional research integrity. She was very
responsive to my desire to join in the work, and share the effort, and
produced an imaginatively presented and concise report, on time, and at
very reasonable cost

Gill has conducted a considerable amount of Norfolk Family History Research for me. All her findings have been clearly explained and presented. She has always suggested which other avenues are appropriate, to try and find relevant information. Advice has also been willingly given on Research in other areas of the country. Look forward to our next consignment of Research!

I commissioned Gill to research my family history as a present for my parents' 60th Wedding Anniversary, producing a wonderful book packed full of information. She is tireless in her pursuit of the greatest amount of details and offers a very personal and helpful service. I would thoroughly recommended Past Search - don't bother to look elsewhere, I don't think that there are any competitors !

I have been delighted with the professional reports that Gill has provided. She has made the second best alternative of using a researcher (instead of perusing the records personally) a pleasure.

Gill is a wonderful teacher - anyone interested in past times, their
ancestry and local history can't do better than take advantage of her wide
knowledge and enthusiasm.

I have used the services of Gill for many years now and have always found her to be thorough in everything I have requested research on, finding out so much for me and guiding me onto other lines of searching etc. I have recommended Gill to so many people who have all been very satisfied with their results. Keep up the good work Gill.

Jean Hinton, Mytchett, Surrey