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The Island’s national repository holding archival material from public institutions as well as private businesses and individuals. Winner of 'Record Keeping Service of the Year’ in the Archives and Records Association (ARA) Excellence Awards 2023
Opening times
Open Monday to Thursday – 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Third Saturday in the month – 9am -1pm
Closed
Pricing
Use of the Archive is free of charge – there is a small fee for photocopying and research conducted by staff. Please read our table of fees.
Payment can be made by debit, credit card (not Amex), in Sterling or Euro.
Location
- Address Clarence Road, St Helier, JE2 4JY
- Phone +44 (0) 1534 833300
- Directions Walking from town go up Hill Street to Colomberie then turn into St James Street and up Le Breton Lane. Driving from St Saviour’s Road turn up Pleasant Street and into Clarence Road
- Parking Limited free car parking on site
- Parking in Jersey For guidance read this
- Bus route 3, 2 or 16. Get off the bus at Royal Crescent and then it is a short walk down Clarence Road
- What3words location finder good.hats.duration
Facilities
Important information
Before you visit
To allow us to best assist with your enquiry, prepare your documents for viewing and continue to ensure safe distancing we are encouraging pre-booking before your visit Jersey Archive. Slots should be pre-booked for either a morning or afternoon session on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or morning session on the third Saturday of the month.
Please note that the Archive, including reception area, will be closed between 1-2 to allow the staff to prepare for the afternoon session.
To book your slot please email archives@jerseyheritage.org or call 833300.
Jersey Archive policies are available to view here.
During your visit
Please bring a pencil and notepaper with you to make your research notes.
Please bring photographic ID on your first visit
The Island’s national repository With collections recognised by UNESCO, the Jersey Archive is the Island’s national repository holding records on all aspects of Jersey’s history. Researchers can use archive resources to trace their family history, the story of their house or street and to find out more about over 600 years of our unique history including the German Occupation of Jersey during the Second World War. Staff at Jersey Archive can assist with family history, property research, academic and professional enquiries, offer advice about preservation, and give talks, tours and education services. Jersey Archive also holds the collections of the Channel Islands Family History Society. The Archive was re-accredited under The National Archive Accreditation Scheme in 2021.
Preservation
The long-term preservation and security of the records in our care is our highest priority. Since the Public Records (Jersey) Law was passed in 2002 the Jersey Archive has been the official repository for all archival records produced by public institutions.
Jersey Archive also accepts records from businesses, clubs, societies and individuals. These can be donated or deposited on long term long loan whereby ownership remains with the depositor. Our Acquisitions Policy is available to view.
Once catalogued, documents are carefully packed in acid free materials and stored in the correct environmental conditions. We also we offer advice on conservation of records and preserving your own documents and memorabilia.
Many individuals and associations now produce and store important documents in a digital format. It is vital that we preserve these documents as archives of the future. Please read our guidelines on the preservation of digital material and contact us if you have any queries.
Access
As well as collecting and preserving records the Archive is committed to making archives available to all members of the local and worldwide community.
Records that are stored at Jersey Archive are catalogued by our professional staff and made available via the Online Catalogue. This catalogue allows you to search through the archives by entering a name, place or subject that is relevant to your research.
Individuals who are able to visit the Jersey Archive in person will find that there is always a member of staff available to assist with your enquiries. If you are unable to visit us in person we will gladly answer any written, e-mail or telephone enquiries about the records in our care.
Staff at the Jersey Archive can also assist with legal enquiries and property research for the construction professional. We also offer talks and tours and education services.
Our Archive regulations and freedom of information guidance are available for you to study before you visit.
Research
Jersey Archive, as the official repository for the Island documentary heritage, can offer guidance, information and documents that relate to all aspects of the Island’s History. Our information leaflets give details of the documents and collections that researchers and family historians might find particularly useful:
- Family History
- House History
- Contracts
- Island Maps
- Criminal Records for Family Historians
- Military Records for Family Historians
- Preservation and Conservation at Jersey Archive
- Preservation and Storage of Documents
- Preservation of Digital Records
- German Occupation
- Bankruptcy Records
- Royal Court Records
- Historic Buildings Research Leaflet
Those with French ancestors might find the following leaflet and websites useful:
- Researching Your French Ancestors
- Archives Départementales de la Manche
- Archives Départementales d’Ille et Vilaine
- Archives départmentales des Côtes d’Armor
Staff at the Archive can carry our research on your behalf. Work on detailed enquiries will be charged at £25 per hour with a maximum of 5 hours research at any one time.
We undertake to answer all initial enquiries within two weeks, however follow up research or photocopying enquiries may take longer to complete. If you have an enquiry please e-mail us at archives@jerseyheritage.org
We also provide a copying service for documents that have not been digitised. Ordering photocopies will incur a minimum charge of £5. To order photocopies of any documents that you might find on the catalogue please complete our copyright declaration form. Please ensure that the form includes your signature, full details of the documents you require copies of and your postal or email address.
The Jersey Archive is responsible for the care of and provision of access to original documents from the Probate Division, Royal Court, Public Registry, Family Division and Magistrates Court. The Archive has built up a good working relationship with many legal firms since these documents were transferred to the Archive by the Judicial Greffe in 2001.
The Archive currently undertakes to produce photocopies of cases from original records for legal firms and also offers firms the opportunity to send researchers to the Archive to view original material.
If you would like to order photocopies of legal cases please complete our copyright declaration form including details of the court, volume and page number required. Our table of fees gives details of prices.