Island Archives

03/06/2026

📸 Way Back When[sday] 📸

More photographs from the James Dennis Collens Collection! In August 1950, during his two week holiday in Guernsey, Mr Collens took over 100 photographs of island life.

St Peter Port Harbour was once busy with cranes loading baskets full of Guernsey-grown produce bound for English markets. It’s a scene we expect some of our followers to remember? 🍅

27/05/2026

🏖️ Take Cover! 🏖️

Cor la, hasn't it been hot? On the bank holiday weekend, half our staff were out sunbathing, while the other half hid in the shade!

This photograph of Arthur Johns Jr at Plemont, Jersey, comes from a 1920-1930s Johns Family Album. He certainly took cover from the sun under his parasol and towel - but not from the beachball about to hit his head 🏐 What a perfectly timed photograph!

We hope you all have sunglasses, a hat, and plenty of drinks to cool down with this week 🍹

20/05/2026

💐 Chelsea Flower Show 💐

Is anyone watching the Chelsea Flower Show this week on TV? The designs and displays are breath-taking!

In 1989, the States of Guernsey won this Royal Horticultural Society medal for Ornamental Flowering & Foliage Plants, Glasshouse & Exotic Vegetables, for their display in the Chelsea Flower Show. It looks incredible, we can only imagine how vibrant it must of been.

With the spring bank holiday this weekend, it may be a good thing to spend some time in the garden - what plants do you grow? 🌷🪴

13/05/2026

💅🏻 It’s not a hobby… It’s a lifestyle 💅🏻

Our team is full of individuals passionate about history, as you'd expect in an Archive. When they aren't at work looking into Guernsey's history, they spend their free-time doing things like this!

Archival Assistant Callum (left) attended Le Pas D'Armes de Kérouzéré last weekend, a living history event in France that aimed to present a tournament held by a Breton lord in the year 1475. Now, just so we don't run the risk of going too far off topic, this Sachent Tous of court of Priory of St Michel du Valle from January 1474-5 (552 years old!) is the same date as the fashion Callum is wearing. The record details Johan Riquart gifting wheat to Vale Church in aid of its upkeep.

It is amazing to be able to hold records this old, but it is another thing being able to immerse yourself in the period it originated. Living history events are a great way to do this.

Callum and Caitlyn both participate in living history outside of work, but using photographs from our collections, they have found several images they are able to recreate.

So, if you find history 'coming to life' interesting, let us know in the comments and we could start a new theme!

12/05/2026

07/05/2026

📝 At last the job is on. 📝

On the 7th May 1945, before they marshalled to head to the Channel Islands, Force 135 troops were given this Special Order of the Day, written by Brigadier A.E. Snow, Commander of Force 135. The copy of the order, and the distribution list, comes from the Bowen Collection.

Even now, the words are stirring, impactful and poignant. We can only image what it must of been like to hear them for the first time.

Here are some quotes:

'Now we will go and do the job we have trained for together'

'You will not forget that you will represent to friend and enemy alike the people of this great Island who have fought it out, bloodied but undaunted for nearly six years, to final and overwhelming victory

You will be gentle and helpful towards the Islanders. You will be firm, strict and correct towards the enemy and avoid all form of fraternisation.

Your first test will be that, when all others around you will be relaxing in the celebration of VE Day, you will have to work without respite or to hold yourselves ready to move. You will not fail, and I will repay'

'You will be worth it. The ball is now at your feet. Come on, Chaps!'

The team at Island Archives wish all Channel Islanders a very happy Liberation Day this weekend! 🇬🇬🇬🇧

28/04/2026

🍾 20 Years in St Barnabas Church 🍾

It's 20 years today since the official reopening of St Barnabas Church as Island Archives! So we are going on a trip down memory lane as we share photos of the renovation works from 2004-2006, taken by our Archives Manager, Nathan, and his recollections:

'The States of Guernsey agreed to the conversion of the former church of St Barnabas into a new Island Archives Centre in 2003. It was in order to provide proper accommodation for Guernsey's historical records that met the best archival standards of security, preservation, and health and safety. It took a lot of time and significant preparation to move thousands of boxes, plans, documents, registers etc., from our old premises in Victoria Road. I have previously likened it to moving 10 houses in one go, though perhaps that number comparison was a little low?

From early 2004 to 2006 we were able to visit the site, it was interesting to view the works progress from the ground all the way up to the roof, with C.A. Duquemin working there from 2005. With the passing of time I can't say I remember too much of the day when we officially reopened on the 28th April 2006, aside from it being an earlier start welcoming a large number of invited guests and speeches!

We have been welcoming visitors and researchers to St Barnabas ever since, and we are very grateful to have received many important and interesting documents from institutions and the public, which are preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.'

Thank you, Nathan!

22/04/2026

🇬🇧 Decorate to Liberate 🇬🇧

Island Archives' bunting will be going up on Friday - Archival Assistant Caitlyn and Callum has made sure of it!

Decorating your home with flags and bunting not only makes it look pretty, but has historical significance. It was forbidden to fly the Union Flag during the Occupation, even wearing red, white and blue could run you the risk of trouble. But, this didn't stop Islander's from hiding them away, desperately waiting for victory. Once Liberation came, they raised their flags with pride and celebration. So, it is time for us to do the same 🇬🇧🇬🇬

Many of you will be aware of the image of a woman standing outside her home on the 12th May 1945 with 'Welcome At Long Last Liberty' above the door - but who was she, and how did she get that sign?

She is Elsie Jory, née Davidson, who lived in The Laurels along Candie Road with her husband, Alan, and his parents, Augustus and Martha. Alan worked as a cycle mechanic and spray painter for H.K.P. Workshop, Truchot Street. It is said that Alan was the one who painted the sign, and smuggled it from the workshop, back home in a wheelbarrow to avoid the Germans! 🚲

When will you be putting your bunting up?

15/04/2026

📝 Listen and Learn 📝

You may think working in an Archive is just data-inputting - in fact, you are required to do so much more! Juggling tasks like carrying out research, to the translating and transcribing, packing and storing, and the cleaning and maintenance of the records we hold. With all of this, it is important that you stay up to date with your training.

This week, Andy, from Sycamore Bookbinding (professional bookbinding, restoration and paper conservation) came in to give training on 'minimal intervention conservation'. Books often get damaged on the corners and spines, become frayed and torn. The method taught, which uses Japanese paper, not only prevents the damage from getting worse, but if done correctly, can end up disguising it.

Concentration and a steady hand is essential. The art of a seamless blend is built from years of practice and education. Restorers and Conservators offer a indispensable service to those who work in the Archives and Museums industries.

Thank you, Andy!

You can check out Sycamore Bookbinding here: https://www.sycamorebookbinding.co.uk

08/04/2026

🏇 And they're off! 🏇

The thunder of hooves, the cheers of crowds, the excitement! As the Grand National starts again tomorrow, we knew we had to find equestrian related records to post today 😉

Though it's been a few years since horse racing on L'Ancresse Common ceased, its long history is still remembered. Organised races took place at least as far back as 1831*, seen here in this poster advertising the events and prizes 🏆

We also have these lovely photographs of the races from 1920 and 1923 respectively.

*Races on the Common likely precede this date, but this poster is the oldest piece of evidence we have. We would be happy to know if anyone has corroborating evidence!