The Ibex

28th May 2026
Detail of a postcard showing the SS Ibex leaving Guernsey harbour (c) Priaulx Library
Some travelling nostalgia from The Marine Engineer, London: 1893. Edn. of May 1, 1892. 'Improved passenger steamship service to and from the Channel Islands. Weymouth Route.' The modern and comfortable delights of the new Ibex steamer, with its gold Japanese wallpaper, which was contemporary with and encouraged by the launch of the Weymouth boat train in 1889. The train was an icon for Channel Island travellers for nearly a century, until its much lamented withdrawal in September 1987. It lasted considerably longer than the Ibex, which was retired and broken up in 1925. The image of the Ibex leaving St Peter Port harbour is from a postcard in the Priaulx Library collection.

Falla MSS I

19th February 2026
2 January 1620 . Letter under seal of the Court of St Michel du Valle. Pierre Careye Seneschal. Edmond Effart and Pierre Gibault, vavassours. Etienne Hamon son of Helier of the Clos du Valle sold to Thomas Falla as the guardian of Thomas Henry son of Collas (V) of a certain house in the Clos du Valle .. in the place called the Ville es Pied, between the house of Giret Perrin and the house of Pierre Henry ... Item . A small yard to the south of the said house with a small cottage to the north of the said house with a stackyard ... THomas Henry assigned to pay rent to Jean Cheshire etc

Mrs Kibble hides from the Germans

18th September 2025
Emily Kibble Occupation ID card: source, Island Archives, Guernsey
'45-year old woman outwitted Gestapo. Hid at Petit Bôt for 13 weeks. How a Guernsey resident, a 45-years old Lancashire woman, was able to outwit the Geheimfeldpolizei, the German Secret Police, and remain in hiding for over 3 months - 13 weeks - then to be liberated when British troops arrived here, can now be revealed by The Star.'

The Lydia, 1853

17th September 2025
The 173-ton brig Lydia was built at Stonelake's Yard in St Sampson, to specialise in carrying passengers to Adelaide and Melbourne. It eventually found a home in Australia. From The Age, 1934. In 1853 it sailed from St Sampson's harbour for Australia in front of a cheering crowd of 2,000 people. It was a most unusual place of departure from Guernsey, but it was the home of the ship and of Stonelake's yard. Sixty berths were available, of which 42 were taken up at £24 per passenger. 'The majority were tradesmen' (Coysh, 1985).

Guernsey Wills: Index

12th September 2025
At end of black-bound notebook, St Saviour's and Alderney Registers, Staff. 

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