Guernsey

Today I found the census records from 1891 for my whanau. It was a really cool moment.

I came here hunting for the whanau I'd met online years ago and I had the best time, however short, with them.

I had an incredible time with the lovely couple I met at the terminal with their godson who had been on the ferry with me. Meeting Zach, Terry and Jo was truly fateful. They gave me rides to and from the ferry, showed me around the island and gave me true island kindness. So blessed. All that good karma from helping other tourists and international students has paid for sure.

As we sail away from Guernsey, I can't imagine what it would have been like for Jean Francois Le Long and Marie Nedellec to leave the home they knew and loved for an uncertain future on the other side of the world.

I feel so connected to that place. Touching the granite - both pink and grey - and knowing Jean Francois's connection with stonecutting and masonry. Seeing the ocean and smelling the sea. ❤️

They had a fair bit of trauma here on their own with the drowning of two of their children in the quarry where the fathers and uncles worked. So I guess it's no surprise that they needed to leave.

Jean Francois' brother Etienne stayed behind here in Guernsey and had a son named Charles Yves and Charles Yves had a son called Charles. Charles then had a son called Francois and had a few beautiful children - my Aunty Theresa, Uncle Dave, Aunty Ann and ...

I finally met Aunty Theresa and Uncle Dave last night. Caught up with my cousin Stacey last night at dinner at Aunty Theresa's and met Jay Jay this morning at the beautiful Terrace Cafe.

I found some time to go to the Prilaux library today and found Jean Francois and Marie Nedellec in the 1891 census records. I knew the date of the census and the handwriting but had forgotten the parish. It's Vale.

Next time I come, I'm going to meet the rest of the cousins and the aunties I didn't get to meet. We will go and visit the graves of the children who drowned, my great great grandaunt and granduncle, Jean Francois and Marie's children.  ❤️

Still, I want to know why Jean Francois and Marie chose New Zealand of all places to leave and start a new life. It was hard work and if they hadn't ever left, I wouldn't be here right now in this ferry leaving Guernsey, wishing I could stay. ❤️

#FullCircle