Touring the land of my great grandfather

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Situated between England and France, Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands.  A self-governing dependence of the United Kingdom, it has a mix of British and French cultures, it's known for it's beaches, cliffside walking trails, inland valleys and historic castles.



My paternal great grandfather, Edward Thomas Romeril, (ET) was born in St. Ouen, on the island of Jersey, on the 4th of March 1849.  His parents were Jean Romeril and Rachel Pirouet.  To read more about ET and his mariner life my cousin, Barbara has written his story here.  Barbara also wrote about the mystery he posed our family here.

A researcher at the Channel Islands Family History Society (Pam) had been undertaking research for me since 2014. Jersey was on my "must do" list when I had a 6 week trip to Europe in 2016.  

I travelled by ferry from St Malo in France and that was my first surprise - just how close Jersey is to France.  The island was charming and Pam and her husband chaperoned me around for a couple of days and helped me to gain an insight into what life is now like on the island.  They also corrected my pronunciation of St. Ouen (pronounced St. One).

Jersey highlights, Elizabeth Castle, High Street St Helier, Jersey Cows in St. Ouen, beaches,
add castles.

St. Ouen is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey.  It is north-west of St Helier and the parish is the largest parish by surface area.  It is largely agricultural and there is no single centre, as the church, parish hall and school are separated.  However St. Ouen's village is the most significant settlement in the parish.

St. Ouen church and the graveyard where several of my ancestors are buried.

St. Ouen is a highly distinct parish culturally.  Being the farthest from St. Helier, there are many differences between it and the rest of the island, for example having it's own dialect of Jerriais


My time was well-spent in Jersey.  I will be back.


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