Library Review - Autumn 2007

The last few months have been busy with family history enquiries from all over the world. Our visitors said how hospitable and helpful they have found folk in the island overall. One of our "happy customers" was a Mr John Cabot of Massachussets who has been visiting Jersey over the last 12 years researching the Cabot family. This June, he organised a visit for his relatives in America to join him on the trip and around 52 Cabot family members had a re-union, visiting the sites and properties connected with the family. A Vin d'Honneur was held in our Members' Room as thanks for a generous donation Mr Cabot made to the Lord Coutanche Library. The money has been well-spent on badly needed signage for the shelving in the library and many of our regular users have commented on their effectiveness. The Cabot visit was hailed a success and the family consisted of all ages, including babes in arms.

Another United States contingent researching the Poingdestre/Pondexter lineage came to the island and we were able to share with them our resources on the family.

We were also fortunate to receive a fascinating donation of two framed dedications which belonged to the Orviss family. Mr Patrick Griggs travelled from the UK with these beautiful items which listed the names of employees of the Orviss shop and the Jersey Evening Post covered the story. The Orviss family owned Beresfor Stores in Beresford Street which became one of the largest shops in the island. For those members and non-members of our society please be aware we have a varied range of documents concerning shops and other trading establishments among our collection, not to mention imaes which can be seen on the Photographic Archive section of the website.

We are pleased to say the volunteers and students who help us in the library continue to assist us in our quest to make the library as "user-friendly" and organised as possible.

Brenda Ross - Librarian
Anna Baghiani - Assistant Librarian