I have a first degree in History and Sociology and a Masters degree in History and Politics. I have been conducting family 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 history. I provide research services to private individuals, authors and academics as well as giving talks and and tutorials to a wide variety of organisations across the country. I also work with a company called Pharos Teaching and Tutoring to offer online Family History Courses. Please check out my links page to find out more.

Family History, House History and Local History Research Services in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex

NEWS FLASH.

Planting the Tree: Foundations For Your English and Welsh

Family History.

New Online Courses starting soon:

http://www.pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#101

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Comments from some of my Clients:-

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.

Sue Adcock. Hampshire, England.

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!

Professor Michael Thurlow. Durban. South Africa 

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.

Pat Smith. Middlesex. UK

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

Dave Spencer. Cheshire. England 

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.

Andrew Godfrey. North Yorkshire

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.

Alison Brown. North Norfolk

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. 

Sandra Hopewell. South Norfolk

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.