Channel Islands Archives and Libraries

Jersey Archive
Address: Clarence Road St Helier Jersey JE2 4JY Tel: +44 (0) 1534 833333 Fax: +44 (0) 1534 833301 Opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm (Open until 7pm on the last Thursday of each month) Free Parking available.

The Jersey Archive has all of the major family history sources for the island available as original records and on microfilm. The main resources held by the Archive for genealogical research are Census Records, Wills and Testaments, Occupation Registration cards, Royal Court Records, Public Registry, Education Department records, Church Records for Church of England, Methodists and Independent Churches, Almanacs, rate Lists, Militia Nominal Rolls and Attestation papers. The Archive also holds records for Businesses, Societies and Associations, and Personal and Estate Records. All the Indexes and Transcriptions of the Channel Islands Family History Society are available on open shelves. The Jersey Archive catalogue can be consulted at the Jersey Archive and on-line at: http://catalogue.jerseyheritage.org/ The OPAC allows you to search for names, places or subjects, there is also a detailed search option.

Enquiries and research can be made in person, by post, e­mail, telephone or fax. Detailed enquiries and research can be undertaken by Archive staff at £20 per hour. Photocopying and photographic services are available, subject to conditions, and charges are made for all copies.

To order original documents, you will need a Reader’s Ticket, which can be obtained at the Archive on production of a valid photographic ID. There are no charges for the Ticket or the personal use of the Archive. Source: Channel Islands Family History Society

Lord Coutanche Library
Address: 7 Pier Road St Helier Jersey JE2 4XW Tel: +44 (0) 1534 758314 Fax: +44 ( 0) 1534 888262 Opening hours: Mon- Fri, 10am – 2pm Members only – Non members to request visit in writing. The Lord Coutanche Library is a local studies reference library at the Société Jersiaise. The Library’s genealogical resources include printed material on Jersey and the other Channel Islands, unpublished family histories, family trees, almanacs, directories and rate lists, indexes to the microfilm PR.O. census returns for Jersey and indexes to civil and church registers and other records. Enquiries can be made in person, by letter, telephone, fax or e-mail. Replies to fax and e-mail enquiries will usually be made by post, so please help us by including your full postal address. The charge for research is £15 per hour plus any extra charges incurred in the purchase of copies of certificates. The Library welcomes copies of family trees and is pleased to accept donations for services provided. Photocopying is carried out at the librarian’s discretion.

The microfilm reader/printer and microfiche reader are available on a first come, first served, basis. There is a free guide to the library and an introduction for family history research.

Please consult our website for further details and for facilities for credit card payments. Parking is available in the nearby Pier Road multi-storey car park. Source: Channel Islands Family History Society

Jersey Public Library
Address: Halkett Place St Helier Jersey JE2 4WH Tel: +44 (0) 1534 448701 Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 5:30pm; Saturday 9:30am – 4pm

The Reference Library holds microfilms of censuses and newspapers – microfilm readers must be booked, although it is usually possible to book time on arrival at the Library. They assist with general historical inquiries, but do not undertake family history research. Personal visits are preferred.Source: Channel Islands Family History Society

Priaulx Library
Priaulx Library Candie Road St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 1UG Channel Islands Telephone:+44 1481 721998 Fax: 01481 713804 Email:info@priaulxlibrary.gg The Priaulx Library's extensive paper and microfilm records can be browsed at the Library free of charge or visitors and overseas researchers can make use of the library's paid research services.
 * Website

The library's records include:


 * Civil and parish microfilm records: See A guide to Civil and Parish Registers and Census records at the Priaulx Library
 * Selected Alderney records
 * Census returns for Guernsey and Jersey, 1841-1901
 * Local newspapers from 1791 to the present day
 * Almanacs and trade directories
 * Army lists
 * Elizabeth College registers
 * Prints, portraits and photographs
 * Family research files. A full list of the family names already researched