The closer ties are being driven by a Texan who has lived in Dallas for his whole life, but is descended from the Le Prevost line on his mother’s side, and is Seigneur of a local fief.
John Deichler delivered a proclamation to the Bailiff in July proposing a formal twinning, and this week returned to the island with Rick Booth, a published author, speaker, preservationist, museum curator and the official historian of Guernsey County, to find out more about the link between the two Guernseys.
‘We found a piece of golden history in the archives, the earliest account of someone who had migrated to Guernsey County in 1807,’ said Mr Booth.
‘John Le Lievre’s account spoke of Thomas Lenfesty and Thomas Naftel, who had also migrated across to Guernsey County.’
While in the island, Mr Booth and Mr Deichler visited the Island Archives and the Priaulx Library, as well as attending a sitting of Chief Pleas. Mr Booth attended as a guest of the Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon.
Both men have also met Lt-Governor Lt-General Richard Cripwell.
‘It’s been my first time over and it’s been lovely, it’s so beautiful here,’ he said.
Mr Deichler has also made a couple of trips to Guernsey County and said there were things in common between the island and the county.
‘There is such a commonality between the two communities, the culture is very similar,’ he said.
Mr Deichler said the twinning was set to go ahead next year and was something that could benefit both communities.
‘It all couldn’t be going much better. Some top leaders will be travelling over next year and the Dean, the Very Rev. Tim Barker, Sir Richard [McMahon] and His Excellency have all been amazing,’ he said.
‘It’s refreshing in current times to be a part of something that is so good. There is no angle, it just benefits both communities.
‘The two communities will be able to “come home” and this has meaning for both, for people to know where they came from and who they are. I think having that connection will be wonderfully fulfilling.
‘What you have here is a sensational home and I am reminded of that every time I visit. The way I feel about Guernsey is not just a passion, but a love affair.’
Mr Deichler hopes to move his family to the island in the future.
Mr Booth, who married into the Sarchet line, said the twinning would also mean a great deal to him.
‘I would say perhaps 20% of Guernsey County descended from this island, so it means a lot to me and many others in the county,’ he said.
‘A lot of us are aware of the link between the two Guernseys, but it is something we want to let more people know about.’
You need to be logged in to comment. If you had an account on our previous site, you can migrate your old account and comment profile to this site by visiting this page and entering the email address for your old account. We'll then send you an email with a link to follow to complete the process.