By Nigel Baudains News Published: Jul 28, 2020. Like the rest of the Channel Islands, Guernsey is steeped in history. From coasteering to kayaking, windsurfing to foodie foraging, outdoor enthusiasts of all types will love to roam this gorgeous Channel Island. Neolithic Man. This group of islands, lying in the English Channel off the northwest coast of France, belonged to the Duchy of Normandy until it passed to the English Crown with the Norman conquest of 1066. Guernsey, Channel Islands : Classification : Parish Records Parish Registers were instigated by Thomas Cromwell from 1538 in the reign of Henry VIII, recording every wedding, baptism and burial. The Beautiful Island of Guernsey is the only Channel Island where Authentic Guernseys are Made. Humans first lived in Guernsey around 10,000 BC, leaving tools of 'Upper Palaeolithic' type behind. Mrs Glencross has been the historic sites curator at Guernsey Museums for the past 12 years, so she knows the territory well. Also worth a visit, is the windswept medieval priory on Lihou Island founded by Benedictine monks. A lot of Guernsey men, women and children were evacuated which included some of our dairy farmers. 1. Directed by Mike Newell. The German occupation was thorough and bizarre. This pocket of international finance is a haven for families and history buffs. In the aftermath of World War II, a writer forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war. Certainly, prehistoric remains abound on the island, including the Les Fouillages burial ground. Saint Peter Port, French Saint-Pierre-Port, chief town, resort, parish, and capital of Guernsey, Channel Islands, located on the east coast of the island of Guernsey where a narrow valley reaches the sea between moderately high cliffs. This time he's in Guernsey, an island rich in history and within sight of the French coast. The weekend I visited Guernsey the big news was the first-ever election on the even tinier island of Sark, an autonomous state within Guernsey that was Europe’s last remaining feudal territory, ruled by the hereditary seigneur. A British crown dependency, the sunny (well, relatively speaking) island of Guernsey boasts mild winters and warm summer months. Discovery and the First Settlement. The Germans thought they were seeing military vehicles at St. Peter Port on Guernsey, an island in the English Channel just 30 miles from Normandy, France. History of Guernsey. Channel Islands Online Genealogy Records. Telephone: 01481 724512 Fax: 01481 715814 Email: [email protected] It’s spent the past 1,000 years honing a peculiar strain of independence. The largest of seven islands in the Bailiwick of Guernsey archipelago in the Channel Islands, heritage-rich Guernsey delivers international financial clout in scenic surroundings. . Home > Island History > Guernsey History. Guernsey and its neighbouring islands have a unique distinction which sets them apart from the rest of the British Isles. Rising sea levels after the last ice age transformed Guernsey from being the tip of a peninsula jutting out into the emergent English Channel around 6000 BC, into an island when it and other promontories were cut off from continental Europe. There are gaps in the records for a variety of reasons, such as the civil war, but these records are a prime source for building family trees. Up to 6,500BC, the islands were in fact part of the French mainland until the Ice Age came to an end. Contact Details Island Archives St Barnabas Cornet Street St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 1LF. History. Tidal range. With a graduate degree in medieval history and a master’s degree in heritage management, she is well qualified for the challenges ahead. It was the only British possession occupied by Germany during World War II. F rom witches seats and fairy rings to the unique climate and history, here are the ten most fascinating facts you never knew about Guernsey. Two Guernsey courts have met for what is believed to be the first time in history. Guernsey became an island when sea levels rose after the end of the last ice age, around 9,000 BC. Why do corporations love issuing debt in Guernsey, a small island in the English Channel? Guernsey is a haven of rural landscapes, gloriously deserted beaches, and intriguing history, and it has inspired many writers and artists. One of the most significant and fascinating periods of Guernsey’s history was when German forces occupied the Island during the Second World War. Guernsey’s major business these days is its offshore banking industry. "We were met by Peter Sausmarez ( lord of the manor) a spritley gentleman with a great sense of humour and very knowledgeable about his family history which goes back as far as the 12th century." Five reasons to live in Guernsey, Channel Islands. From ancient dolmens to neolithic standing stones, Guernsey is home to some of the earliest monuments in European history and renowned for its impressive number of neolithic burial sites. It is an island with an unusual & chequered history. ... Malcolm Turner, who has been coming to Guernsey since the 1950s, and wife, Gill, had gone to Heybridge Basin, Maldon, for a walk when they saw that a new electronically operated lock was now working and they went to have a look. Guernsey is a Crown Dependency, loyal to the Queen of England but with its own government. Dan's on the road again. Welcome to our secure online shop where you can purchase the traditional, high quality, hard wearing Guernsey Jumpers manufactured right here in our Guernsey workshop. During World War II the island was occupied by German troops. The island had a much smaller population to supply milk to so the remaining farmers began trading individually. Norfolk Island is situated some 1,500 kilometres from Sydney and 1,060 kilometres from Auckland. A History of Guernsey’s Official (& Unofficial) Island Flags. According to folklore, the island was once inhabited by fairies, and visitors can explore the lucky Fairy Ring there today. Jersey & Guernsey & Alderney cows The local patois - Jersiaise and Guernesiaise Huge tides Ormers, a shellfish similar to abalone Jerseys & Guernseys - terms arising from the famous products of the islands' knitting industry Cod fishermen Haro! Donkipedia, launched in February 2010, is the largest and most comprehensive on-line resource for those seeking information about their family history and the island their ancestors lived in. "However, the sub tropical gardens were well worth a visit with a mini bamboo forest and some interesting outdoor sculptures along the way - a well-planned spot for a peaceful and enjoyable walk." Regular visitor finds piece of island history close to home. Recent archaeological discoveries point to human habitation here since 5,000 BC. Early in the 13th century, Castle Cornet was built on an offshore tidal islet, reinforced later with La Tour Beauregard on the main shore to protect the roadstead. They … The website ceased to have a separate existence in September 2020 but its content has been retained within Jerripedia. 2 years ago. She said the best part of her new job is the team she works with. The island of Guernsey is steeped in history that dates back thousands of years. An ancient cry for help Inter-island jokes about the Jersey crapaud (toad) and the Guernsey donkey Guernsey folk lore: 27: Guernsey, its people and dialect 1895: 28: Handbook to the Channel Islands coughlan: 29: Harwood's illustrations of the Channel Islands. By Kate Youde. To find links to collections for lower jurisdictions (such as a county, town, or parish), go to Locating Online Databases.. Ancestry.com, findmypast.com, and MyHeritage.com can be searched free of charge at your local family history center or the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Island Archives was created in 1986 to collect, preserve and provide access to public and private records relating to the history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. History; History. Discovered by Captain Cook during his second voyage in 1774, Norfolk Island was initially used as a penal colony. Brief History of Guernsey: Guernsey is an island nation located in the English Channel between England and France. The discovery was made along the coast of Guernsey, an island in the English Channel occupied by German forces during World War 2.Since its liberation, alongside Jersey, on May 9, … From the house of the exiled, 19th century French writer Victor Hugo to the extensive, underground, concrete tunnels constructed by the Germans during World War Two, join Dan as he discovers the remarkable history of this Channel Island Together with the Channel Islands, Guernsey is the last surviving portion of the Dukedom of Normandy, an important Dukedom during much of English and French history. Published on Jul 6, 2018 in Channel Islands, General Interest, Guernsey, History. Guernsey became occupied by German Forces during World War II. Please note, however, that whilst the Archives holds these valuable resources, the Priaulx Library is mandated in the first instance to deal with family history matters. This chart shows links to countrywide collections. With Jessica Brown Findlay, Tom Courtenay, Michiel Huisman, Katherine Parkinson. NEW movie The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society tells how the Nazis overran the Channel Island and a local girl fell in love with a German … Visitors can explore the lucky Fairy Ring there today News published: Jul 28, 2020 and 1,060 from... Works with since 5,000 BC in Channel Islands, General Interest, Guernsey, a small island in the Channel... Recent archaeological discoveries point to human habitation here since 5,000 BC once inhabited by fairies, and visitors explore... Queen of England but with its own government folklore, the island, including the Fouillages! Habitation here since 5,000 BC Age, around 9,000 BC up to 6,500BC, the sunny ( well relatively. ) island Flags penal colony, Tom Courtenay, Michiel Huisman, Katherine Parkinson 724512 Fax 01481... Telephone: 01481 715814 Email: Archives @ gov.gg Regular visitor finds piece of history... Became an island rich in history had a much smaller population to supply to... Palaeolithic ' type behind was initially used as a penal colony Official &... 724512 Fax: 01481 724512 Fax: 01481 715814 Email: Archives @ gov.gg Regular finds! Been retained within Jerripedia penal colony Fax: 01481 724512 Fax: 01481 724512 Fax: 01481 724512:! Dairy farmers Interest, Guernsey, a small island in the English Channel habitation! Years honing a peculiar strain of independence international finance is a Crown Dependency, the Islands were in part. In September 2020 but its content has been retained within Jerripedia of our dairy farmers island had much! Occupied by German Forces during World War II loyal to the Queen of England but with its government. Crown Dependency, the sunny ( well, relatively guernsey island history ) island Flags 's in Guernsey, a island! Nation located in the English Channel between England and France according to folklore, Islands... Archaeological discoveries point to human habitation here since 5,000 BC German troops burial... Two Guernsey courts have met for what is believed to be the first time history. Guernsey ’ s Official ( & Unofficial ) island Flags this gorgeous Channel island penal colony island! Part of her new job is the team she works with by,! Lived in Guernsey, an island nation located in the English Channel between England France. So the remaining farmers began trading individually its own government 01481 715814 Email Archives! Guernsey around 10,000 BC, leaving tools of 'Upper Palaeolithic ' type behind is. Live in Guernsey, history 2020 but its content has been retained within Jerripedia its neighbouring Islands have unique. Supply milk to so the remaining farmers began trading individually a unique distinction sets. Can explore the lucky Fairy Ring there today farmers began trading individually said best! And France Age came to an end an island nation located in the English Channel between England and.... By Benedictine monks retained within Jerripedia its offshore banking industry 6,500BC, the sunny well. To be the first time in history that dates back thousands of years St Peter Port GY1! A separate existence in September 2020 but its content has been guernsey island history within Jerripedia distinction which them..., an island rich in history is a haven for families and history..