Testimonials
“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
“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.”
– Stephen Carr, Edinburgh
“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
“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. Thom Fowler, Ontario, Canada 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.”
– Dylan Goaten, Renfrew
“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
“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.”
– Professor Ian Anderson, Melbourne, Australia
“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
“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.”
– Annmaree Robertson, Victoria, Australia
“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.”
– Jane Ridley, Norfolk
“The most amazing gift. The history of Picket Piece was a wild success.”
– Lynn Petersen, Buckinghamshire
“It looks terrific – the pictures are of excellent quality. We are thrilled by it. Thank you so much for all your hard work it will be something to treasure for many years.”
– Anne and Malcolm Bailey, Norfolk
“What an amazing and absorbing account of the site and foundation of the Old Meeting House. I have already read it through once, and am now well embarked upon the second reading; there are many more to come. I look forward to meeting you before long; and a huge thank you for all your hard work in preparing such a remarkable historical narrative.”
– John Bridger (received a house history as a gift)
“Thank you for this [Poor Law] course Gill. I have found it to be totally professionally run (I’m a bit of a critic of training programs, can’t help myself). I shall be doing some more courses, this has been my third, and I like the discipline of assessments.”
– Margaret Moxon. Australia
“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, Norfolk
“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.”
– Liz Rastrick, Suffolk
“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.”
– Roger Polhill, Norfolk
“Thank you very much for doing such a wonderful Abbott family history for me, It is better than I could ever have imagined. I’m sure they will become cherished possessions and will be handed down to further generations as the family continues to grow.”
– Phil Abbott, Egypt
“I commissioned Gill to research my family history as a present for parents’ sixtieth 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 recommend Past Search – don’t bother to look elsewhere; I don’t think that there are any competitors!”
– Shirley Best, Huntingdonshire
“We really enjoyed the report – we put it in sleeves so it is accessible for all to look at. With a lot of people about in the summer, who enjoy history, it is a very welcome addition to the heritage of the King William IV. We’ve put a copy of the report in each bedroom and one on the reading table in the bar. The displays you made are great and very much what I wanted. I have copied them onto some boards which we will be able to use all year round.”
– Nick & Lili Skerritt, The King William IV Inn, Norfolk – www.thekingwilliamsedgeford.co.uk/
“Thank you so much for completing the history of Caistor Hall, Gordon and myself would like to extend our personal thanks for all your hard work. We are both very pleased with it.”
– Caistor Hall Hotel, Norfolk – www.caistorhall.com
Commissioning research
I charge £35 Sterling per hour for research. Costs of other services are detailed throughout this site, including on the costs page. Please contact me for more details.
You can commission research via PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account you can still pay via credit or debit card.
Contact details:
+44 (0)1603 633232
Past Search is based in Norwich, United Kingdom.