From the anonymous Annotations on 'The History of Guernsey' compiled by Mr William Berry, which takes schoolmaster and entrepreneur Berry severely to task for his numerous errors. The author takes greatest umbrage, however, on the subject of, yes, underwear. The illustrations are from the Library collection; the one above shows a Greek woman from Marmora in Turkish-style clothing.
An extract from an article in The Guernsey Magazine, July 1888, p. 60, giving a detailed history of the Jeux St George, which took place annually after Christmas at Vazon. It was the foundation of these games, which were instituted as an incentive for members of the militia to improve their marksmanship, which was at that time very poor, that eventually led to the expertise of Guernsey marksmen at Bisley and other competitions. The results of these games and other similar island shooting competitions that followed were always reported in great detail in the local newspapers.
An overview from Duncan's Guernsey and Jersey Magazine, Vol. II, 1836. The Library has an extensive collection of these unique newspapers, many of which have been very kindly presented to the Library over the years, which can be viewed on request.
The decoration of the salle à manger, or dining room, at Hauteville-House, Victor Hugo's residence in Guernsey, was finished in May 1857. Charles Hugo wrote of it:
From the Report of the Royal Commissioners deputed to the Island of Guernsey in 1815, published by J. A. Chevalier and N. Mauger in Guernsey in 1817. This investigation into Guernsey law came about after vociferous complaints to the Crown by non-native residents, or Strangers, about their lack of property and other rights in the island, especially when it came to laws concerning debtors and creditors.
From the Guernsey Free Churchman, December 1924 and January 1925.
From Sarnia's record in the Great War, published by The Star in 1919.
The Royal Guernsey Militia: a brief sketch of its services, etc from 800 to 1895. In two volumes; vol. 2, Uniforms of the Royal Guernsey Militia. By Lieut.-Colonel John Percy Groves (1850-1918). Guernsey, Frederick Clarke, States Arcade, 1895. Vol. II is hand-illustrated and exists as only one copy, held here in the Library.
'In Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm.' A list of the chapters and personalities in this book, published in 1985; taken from his 'journalistic and photographic efforts of the last 30 years.' Many of these photographs are in the Library's Carel Toms Collection; please inquire for further information.
'Longevity of freshwater eels' from The Guernsey Press, 20 January 1912.
By Ferdinand Brock Tupper, in Duncan's The Guernsey and Jersey Magazine III (1837), pp. 233 ff.
General Oliver de Lancey William's only academic production, a notebook of a survey of old island houses he undertook in 1956, full of interesting observations, not just about fireplaces. It was presented to the Library in 1960. The photograph, taken by Edith Carey in 1904, is of La Maison Jean Sarre, 'an old house going to ruins near Bon Air, opposite L'Eree Schools, with a beautiful old carved granite chimney piece, with heads for corbels.'
