Jersey Genealogy Trip-Advice

Posted by cchapin100 (California ) on 12/22/21 06:44 PM

Hi, I will be in England probably May/June with some of my family. They will all need to leave but I will have extra time and am thinking of doing a week in Jersey. My mother’s family is from there (and Normandy) and we aren’t very many generations back. I have a lot of family history already about where people are from, born, died, married, etc. I would like to tool around the island looking at these places.

Question: I know the island is small and it might make sense to rent a car but I’m not the best at driving on the left. Also I will be alone and figuring this out on my own could be tricky. Any advice on how to find a driver/guide who knows the island and can take me around for a few days? Not too worried about the $$$ for doing so since this is probably once in a lifetime I would be there.

Also any other general tips on getting there from London, etc. would be appreciated.

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

12/22/21 07:00 PM

16420 posts

As to getting to Jersey, they are numerous flights daily.

British Airways flies from Heathrow and Easyjet from Gatwick.

Posted by mpaulynsettle

Missouri, USA and Essex, UK.

12/22/21 07:14 PM

1055 posts

I have not been to Jersey but I have been to its neighbor Guersney from the UK. Flight time is around 1 hour from London. Be sure to check the right London airport. Easy Jet fly from Gatwick (LGW) to JER and British Airways flies to JER from Heathrow (LHR). You can also fly to JER from Stansted (STN) but this airport is really near Cambridge and 40 miles outside London. We took the Gatwick express from St. Pancras and left from LGW - very easy.

Check out https://www.jersey.com/plan-your-break/getting-around-jersey/bus-travel/ for transportation options. If it is anything like Guersney the bus service is excellent and easy to use. I think you will really enjoy a visit to Jersey. I loved Guernsey so much I want to return one day. Beautiful islands with good infrastructure, friendly people, and one of the safest places I have ever visited.

Margaret

Posted by Katy

London, UK

12/22/21 07:22 PM

477 posts

Just googled family search, genealogy for Jersey and there seem to be local groups. Some you can join for a small fee. You may already be a member? for instance, www.jerseyfamilyhistory.org. They may be able to give advice, suggestions about places you want to go to etc?

I have not been to Jersey, so can't help with getting around. Check out -
www.jersey.com/plan-your-break/getting-around-jersey

Posted by phred

Los Angeles

12/22/21 07:35 PM

4874 posts

check a British travel vlogger named Paul Lucas, this sounds like the kind of place he would have flown.

Posted by darrenblois

Moncton NB

12/23/21 02:11 PM

1127 posts

Don't be dissuaded from flying from Stansted, if that is the convenient flight for you. Gatwick Express is 30-40 minutes from Victoria depending on terminal. Stansted Express is 50 minutes from Liverpool Street. So not much difference.

Posted by acraven

Washington DC

12/23/21 05:53 PM

28249 posts

I got around Jersey well by bus a few years ago. Of course, I was going to places of tourist interest (orchid garden, prehistoric site, war tunnels, etc.) rather than tracing family history. Your willingness to hire a driver/guide for part of your time may come in handy.

Posted by cchapin100 OP

California

12/23/21 06:45 PM

497 posts

Thanks so much for all the help so far! Is Stansted near Ridgewell? We are going to Ridgewell too in order to see the museum and where our Dad flew B17s in WWII. I could head to Jersey from there while my family return to LHR for their return trip.

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

12/23/21 08:16 PM

34010 posts

about 20 miles as a reasonably straight flying crow might fly

Posted by mpaulynsettle

Missouri, USA and Essex, UK.

12/23/21 10:11 PM

1055 posts

cchapin100

Ridgewell in Essex is actually where my sister currently lives. Yes, Stansted is close to Ridgewell. In my response further up, I assumed you would be in London leaving for Jersey, so that is why I said to go from LHR or LGW. Stansted is the obvious option if you will be in Ridgewell. There is a very very small museum/memorial at Ridgewell AIrfield run by volunteers. It only opens on certain days of the year. I would most definitely make contact with the group and let them know when you are coming. If you can't find contact information, I can get that for you. If you are looking for accommodation then I would suggest the White Hart in Great Yeldham. (it's also a wedding venue on weekends). If you need any more information on the area, feel free to PM me. I will be more than glad to help out.

Margaret