Library Newspaper Collection

Mrs William Sharshaw

A brief obituary of a pioneering woman, from The Monthly Illustrated Journal (the Guernsey Magazine), February 1889. Mary Esther Sharshaw, born in October 1821, daughter of Henry Cumber and Mary Gallienne, was a pharmacist. The obituary does not mention that she came from two families of prominent Quakers. The two photographs of Mary, which are reproduced courtesy of their owner, both show her with a book. In the lower picture she is sporting a fine calabash, a typical Guernsey ladies' hat; the photograph is by her sister, the Guernsey photographer Sarah Louise Cumber.

A letter from the front; by a Guernsey City Imperial, June 1900

From the Star, June 7 1900. Sent from Wynburg, Orange Free State, and dated May 5, 1900. The author of this and other letters was Roland W. Mourant, of the City Imperial Volunteers (C.I.V.). He was son of James Mourant, of Gloucester House, High Street, a funeral director.

High Street East; more reminiscences of the 1860s

From the Evening Press, Monday, December 9, 1940. Part Two. 'In the first article the shops from Smith Street to Church Square on the right hand side were dealt with; today we take the return journey, examining those premises which then occupied the east side of the street.'

New Channel Islands yard, July 1947

A long-felt want in the Channel Islands waters is to be met by the establishment of a boat-building yard at St Sampson's, Guernsey. Basil C de Guérin in Ship and Boat Builder, July 1947, from de Guérin Scrapbook H.

May 1813

From Le Miroir Politique.

News of Isaac Brock's death reaches Guernsey: November 24, 1812

From Le Publiciste, November 28 1812. The news was brought by Captain McCrindle of the ship Fame, out of Quebec with a cargo of timber. The newspaper also pubishes the reports from the Quebec newspapers McCrindle brought with him.

Tipperary, February 1915

From The Star, February 11, 1915. To much apparent jubilation, permission had been granted in this month to form a new Double Company of the Guernsey Militia from existing recruits. The 227 members had to be decided by ballot on the 5th February, as there were over 250 eligible men. The new Double Company was to be attached to the 6th Service Battalion of the Royal Irish regiment and was to leave the island for Fermoy to train before proceeding quickly to the front.

Old High Street from the 1860s onwards

Recollections of a Guernsey lady, Evening Press, December 2nd, 1940. Part One.

Census 1827

Census of the Parish of St Peter Port, taken in conformity to the Ordinance of the Royal Court, dated August 20, 1827. From the Star, January 15th, 1827. Grand total: 12,132.

Shipwreck of the Fanny, January 1828

Wrecked at Jersey on New Year's Day, 1828; with Guernsey interest. The shock of this catastrophe traumatised the islanders, who were unable to help in any way despite the vessel lying just outside the harbour; the suffering of the passengers and crew was visible to those waiting for them on the quays, and eventually led to the introduction of a Jersey lifeboat. From the Star, 8 January 1828. As more bodies were washed up, the public and courts in Jersey began to turn on the vessel's Captain.

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