Chief Librarian: Amanda Bennett
Opening Hours: 09:30am to 5pm Monday-Saturday

Enquiries: Library staff are available to give guidance and assistance on family and local research topics.

Specialist advice on genealogical research is available and postal enquiries are welcome.


About the library
The Priaulx library is situated in Candie House, on an elevated site which overlooks the town of St. Peter Port and the neighbouring islands of Sark, Herm and Jethou. The house and most of its contents were the gift of Osmond de Beauvoir Priaulx to the people of Guernsey.

The Priaulx family traces its history back to the Norman Conquest and beyond and the name is still extant on the island.

The library holds a very large archive of local newspapers, beginning with Guernsey's first newspapers which appeared in 1791 and giving very comprehensive coverage up to the present day. Much of this is on microfilm.

The generous co-operation of the local clergy and the Greffier of the Royal Court has enabled the library to assemble under one roof, microfilm copies of most of the civil and ecclesiastical records of the population of the island. These records are available to the public (free of charge to personal callers, in respect for Mr. Priaulx's founding principles) from Monday to Saturday, with experienced members of staff always on hand to give assistance.

Those unable to visit the library in person are still able to take advantage of the facilities for a modest fee, since the research assistants are accustomed to searching for the records on behalf of overseas enquirers.

Resources
Historical Publications concerning the Channel Islands.

Family trees and published family histories.

Parish Church Registers on microfilm.

The Constables Records of St Peter Port (includes several 19th Century lists of "Strangers").

Almanacs from 19th Century (in English and French) which include partial lists of residents by address and/or trade, diaries of local events, Parish officials, officers of local garrisons and militia, shipping, clubs etc.

Newspapers from 1791 (in English and French); 30 titles covering different time periods. The principal English language paper was the Star (1813-1965). Now part of the Guernsey Evening Press and Star.

Société Guernsiaise publications - the Transactions from outset in 1881 (indexed on Library's computer system principally by subject matter - but also by title).

Photographic Collection: Parish by Parish indexed by subject matter. Copies can be arranged.