How to Use the Société Jersiaise Online Photographic Catalogue
The Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive (SJPA) holds over 125,000 items, spanning from the mid-1840s to the present day. It is Jersey’s main collection of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century photography, reflecting the Island’s rich history shaped by its unique position between Britain and France—two nations central to the development of photography.
This quick guide will show you how to find and explore photographs in our online catalogue, which is hosted on the Jersey Heritage website.
How to Access the Catalogue
You have two ways to access the SJPA catalogue online:
Option 1 — Via the Société Jersiaise website
- Go to societe.je
- Click ‘Explore’ then ‘Full Catalogue’ — you’ll be redirected to the Jersey Heritage website.
- In the left-hand column, click ‘SJ Photographic Archive’.
Option 2 — Via the Jersey Heritage website directly
- Go to jerseyheritage.com
- Click on the ‘Research’ dropdown menu and select ‘Archives & Collections Online’.
- Once on the Archives & Collections page, click ‘SJ Photographic Archive’.
For future visits, we recommend bookmarking the catalogue page in your browser.
Understanding the Search Options
When you open the catalogue, you’ll see two search fields:
- Lower search field — This returns results only from the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive.
- Upper search field — This searches across both the Société Jersiaise and Jersey Heritage catalogues. You can filter results to include only SJPA items.
Using Simple Search
Example — Let’s say you want to find photos of cars.
- In the lower search field, type ‘car’ and click search.
- Click any photograph in the results to open it.
Each record includes helpful information:
- Reference number — A unique ID for the image.
- Keywords — Descriptive labels for the photo’s content.
- Place — The location shown or where the photo was taken.
- Level of description — Mainly for archivists.
- Access restrictions — Information on whether you can request a digital copy.
To see a larger version of any photo, just click on it.
Using Advanced Search
For more specific results, use the Advanced Search, available only in the upper search field.
Important — If you want results only from the SJPA collection, type ‘SJPA’ into the Reference Number field or use the filters.
Here’s what each Advanced Search field does:
- Reference Number
Enter the unique reference number for a specific photo, if you have it. Remember that any reference number starting with SJPA indicates that it is part of the Société Jersiaise catalogue. - Subject or Place
Filter results by location or subject—like beaches, churches, or street names. - Person or Institution
Search for records related to an individual or institution. - For individuals, use the format: Surname, First Name (e.g., Smith, Albert). For institutions, you may enter the name in the usual way (e.g., Jersey Evening Post).
- Creator
Enter the photographer’s or collector’s name, using the same format for individuals, which was described in the previous point. - Collection/Item
Use this to specify if you’re looking for a single item or a group. For best results, you can leave this blank. - Sort by & Order
Sort results by reference number, title, or keep them unsorted. You can also choose to display results in ascending or descending order.
Tips for Better Results
- Include only records with images —Tick this box if you want to see image records only.
- If you’re unsure about your search, switch back to Simple Search anytime.
- Suggested collections appear below the search bar to help you browse.
Explore Beyond Photographs
The upper search field also includes other collections:
- Archive and Photographs
- Museum and Art
- Archaeology
- SJ Library
Each section has its own advanced search options, so you can refine your research even further.
Need Help?
If you have any questions or need help finding something, please get in touch with the Société Jersiaise Photographic Team at photoarchive@societe.je — we’re happy to assist you in exploring Jersey’s photographic heritage.
Knowledgebase
This section provides essential background information to support your use of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive (SJPA). Understanding these terms and concepts will help you navigate the catalogue more effectively and appreciate the historical and archival context of the material you find.
What is a Collection?
In archival practice, a collection is defined as an assemblage of related materials accumulated by an individual, family, or institution. These materials are brought together deliberately because they share a common provenance, subject, or purpose. In many contexts, the term fonds is used synonymously to describe the complete body of records originating from a single source.
At the SJPA, collections range from single photographs to extensive bodies of work comprising thousands of images. Collections are arranged to preserve their original order and context, ensuring that their provenance remains clear to researchers. This approach enables users to understand how and why the material was created and how it has been preserved.
What is a Description?
A description in archival terms is a formal record that captures essential information about an item or collection. This record allows researchers to understand the material’s scope, content, and historical context. Descriptions at the SJPA follow international archival standards to ensure consistency and discoverability.
A typical description will include:
- Title — A succinct name for the item or collection.
- Dates — The time span during which the material was created.
- Extent — A statement of the quantity and format of the material.
- Creator — The individual, family, or organisation responsible for the creation or accumulation of the material.
- Accession Code — A unique code assigned when material is formally added to the archive.
- Reference Code — An identifier indicating the material’s provenance and hierarchical position within the collection.
- Child Reference — Codes for specific items within a larger collection.
- Index Terms — Keywords that facilitate subject-based searching.
- Scope and Content — A narrative overview that provides contextual detail.
- Conditions Governing Access — Any legal or ethical restrictions affecting access.
- Level of Description — Indicates where the material sits within the overall hierarchy (e.g., item, series, fonds).
Example —
What Types of Materials are Held in the Collections?
The SJPA holds a wide variety of historical photographic processes and formats. A non-exhaustive selection includes:
- Albumen Print — Popular in the 19th century, using egg white to bind chemicals to paper.
- Cabinet Card — A large-format card-mounted portrait photograph.
- Carte de Visite — Small, card-mounted portraits used as personal calling cards.
- Daguerreotype — The first publicly available photographic process, producing unique, highly detailed images on metal plates.
- Glass Plate Negative — Early photographic negatives on glass, allowing for exceptional detail.
- Gelatine-Silver Print — The dominant black-and-white photographic print process of the 20th century.
- Polaroid — Instant photographs developed shortly after exposure.
- Stereoscopic Slides and Prints — Paired images that create a 3D effect when viewed through a stereoscope.
- 35mm Film, Roll Film, and Contact Strips — Standard formats for amateur and professional photography in the 20th century.
- Painted Portraits — Occasionally included alongside early photographs for historical context.
Each format provides insight into the technological development of photography and the socio-cultural contexts in which these images were created.
Conditions Governing Access
The right to consult or reproduce archival material is often governed by intellectual property law, privacy considerations, or donor restrictions. Key conditions include:
- Intellectual Property Rights — Copyright typically extends for 75 years after the death of the creator.
- Orphan Works — Materials for which no rights holder can be identified.
- Material Relating to Living Individuals — Subject to privacy legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- No Restrictions — Items freely available for consultation and use.
The SJPA endeavours to uphold all relevant legal and ethical standards when providing access to its collections. See below the SJPA’s relevant access and information policies for your reference.