Articles

The Library's unique collections are a treasure chest of unusual, interesting and sometimes surprising material just waiting to be found. This anthology, written by the Editor, is based on an eclectic selection of our archive. The author asserts her copyright on all material on the Priaulx Library website except where copyright of other authors is expressly notified. Permission to reproduce material from this website and full attribution to the author is required in all cases.

Dame Drillot

Mary, shown in the illustration in front of the Drillot's farmhouse, meets her future grandmother-in-law, a Guernsey farmer's widow, Marion Drillot; Marion's costume is described in detail. By Frances Carey Brock, from her moralistic but entertaining novel, Clear shining after rain: a Guernsey story, in the Library collection, published in 1871.

Guernsey French

Written by Louisa Lane Clarke for Redstone's Guide to Guernsey, first published in 1841. A copy of this Guide was given to Queen Victoria when she visited the island, and it was retitled Redstones' Royal Guide. This extract is from the fifth edition, published in 1856.

Fish: From the Sarnian Monthly Magazine, May 1815

A list of fish in Guernsey French and their relative presence in island waters, from 1815, p. 15. The Monthly Magazine folded before the list could be continued.

Anecdotes (updated)

A few amusing extracts from the Library collections.

The Clameur de Haro, by Dagonet

From G R Sims' comic Dagonet's Visit to Sark.

The lucky ones will be those who die quickly: Autumn 1944

A letter from A N Symons, Medical Services Officer, to the President of the Controlling Committee of the States of Guernsey, September 1944. From the Priaulx Library collection.

Occupation ephemera: bureaucracy

A small selection of our collection of blank forms and regulations issued by the German military and Guernsey civil authorities. Some printed by Banks, Boosey & Co., Ltd., Guernsey. Click the links to see the items.

Civil records in Guernsey

Using the Library

One of our most experienced researchers gives us a guide to the Library's research holdings. First, what you can expect to find in the Civil registers, held here on microfilm.

Communication with England, 85 years ago

Guernsey & Jersey Magazine, June 1836.

Barbarie Falla and Barbarie Rillie

We asked the question—who or what were they?

Using the Library II: church registers

How to get the best from Guernsey's unique church registers. Now available on FindMyPast (free access in the Priaulx Library).

Vraicing

From Redstone's Royal Guide to Guernsey, written by Louisa Lane Clarke, who produced a new edition in 1856 following Queen Victoria's visit to Guernsey. A rather rosy description of vraicing—the gathering of wrack seaweed—which was in fact a highly competitive scramble for a valuable and free commodity, much prized by the islanders.

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Articles

Dame Drillot

Guernsey French

Fish: From the Sarnian Monthly Magazine, May 1815

Anecdotes (updated)

The Clameur de Haro, by Dagonet

The lucky ones will be those who die quickly: Autumn 1944

Occupation ephemera: bureaucracy

Civil records in Guernsey

Communication with England, 85 years ago

Barbarie Falla and Barbarie Rillie

Using the Library II: church registers

Vraicing

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