Does your family tree have roots in Guernsey? From local heroes to milestone moments, it’s now easier than ever to discover your family’s fascinating Guernsey past. Discover the people behind the names and dates, the faces behind the facts, and the lives lived.
Do you have a family connection to the Islands of Guernsey?
Findmypast, a UK-based family history online database, contains an archive of millions of recently digitised records. Their new Guernsey Collection charts almost half a millennium of history, from the earliest church registers in the late 1500s to German Occupation documents from the Second World War.
More than 210,000 records of digitised documents have been catalogued, including records from Alderney and Sark. You can delve deeper into the islands rich history – and your connections – wherever you are in the world.
Explore the lives they lived
Come and explore the parish where your ancestors lived, from the roads they walked and the views they admired, to the church where they married.
If you’re interested in learning more about your history when you visit, there are several on-island organisations who can help:
- Contact the Priaulx Library for assistance with researching your family history. You can also visit Island Archives or the Greffe to see the original documents.
- Connect with a local, accredited guide to explore the locations discovered in your research. Ask for a personalised tour based around where your relatives lived and worked, or explore the wide range of more general guided tours and heritage routes available to help you learn more about the history of the islands.
- The Visitor Information Centre in St Peter Port can also provide plenty of in-person information and guidance to get you started.
- If you are a keen walker and are interested in specific periods of the island’s history, try the heritage-themed routes and trails on the VisitGuernsey app.
- If you’re looking for existing family ties, or a bit of insider knowledge, join the friendly communites on Facebook 'Guernsey Family Tree' or ‘Guernsey Days Gone By’
Get closer to everyday life during the war
During the Second World War, the Channel Islands stood alone, as the only part of the British Isles occupied by the Germans. There were long winters and little hope – but there were also quiet acts of resistance, and brave acts of rebellion.
Photographs, Occupation ID forms, German Occupation Orders for the island, and Guernsey Evacuee Wish to Return forms are all available to search on Findmypast – and according to UK Archives Manager Mary McKee, it is this period in the Guernsey Collection that really stands out. 'The Occupation records provide poignant insights into life during one of the most challenging periods in its modern history,' says McKee. 'We're very proud to offer these to the public exclusively online on Findmypast.'
Visit the island to explore the historic Second World War forts and bunkers dotted along the coast or take a moment to stand where your relatives did, when they said goodbye to their home.
Findmypast subscriptions
If you are interested in researching your links to the islands before your visit, subscription options for Findmypast can be found on their website.
Search over a million records and find out more about your connection to the Islands of Guernsey at Findmypast.
