So far in 2026, the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive (SJPA) has received a varied range of new accessions, dating from the late nineteenth century, right through to the present day. The material includes glass plate negatives, studio portraits, lantern slides, colour transparencies, digital images, and family photographs.
As with many accessions, the level of accompanying information varies. Some collections are supported by clear identification and documentation, whilst others contain more limited information and context. Together, the material received during the first half of 2026 reflects a broad range of themes and subjects relating to Jersey.
SJPA/2026/01 – EARLY 20TH CENTURY GLASS PLATE NEGATIVES
This collection comprises 68 glass plate negatives dating from approximately 1900 to 1930. The images include portraits, landscapes, buildings, interiors, and scenes of everyday life. Several plates depict the Battle of Flowers in 1908, capturing both the event and its wider setting. Thirteen have been identified as by the early 19th century photographer, Francis Foot, who owned the iconic photographic studio and music shop along Pitt Street, now Locke’s cafe.
Two Glass plate negatives, c.1880. From SJPA/2026/01.
SJPA/2026/02 – LE BOUTILLIER FAMILY COLLECTION, LES ROUTEURS FARM
This collection comprises 24 items relating to agricultural life at Les Routeurs Farm in St. Saviour, mainly from the late 1970s and 1980s.
The photographs depict livestock, machinery, agricultural shows, and the farm and its surroundings. These are supported by written material, including records of milk production and livestock performance, as well as newspaper clippings and a printed poem in Jèrriais.
Together, the material provides a clear view of farming activity, day-to-day operations, and aspects of rural life more broadly.
Two colour photographs documenting farming practices in Jersey, c.1970-80. From SJPA/2026/02.
SJPA/2026/03 – SIGNED PORTRAIT OF EMILE GUITON
A monochrome photographic portrait of Emile Guiton, mounted on card, signed, and dated 1964. When donating the item, the depositor explained that his mother, the original owner, knew Emile Guiton from her work as a secretary at the Société Jersiaise in the late 1920s. It is therefore likely that the photograph was gifted to her personally by Guiton, whom she would have known well at that time.
Signed portrait of Emile Guiton, 1964. Photograph by Sennet & Spears. Sole photograph from SJPA/2026/03.
SJPA/2026/04 – LANTERN SLIDES BY DR ARTHUR ERNEST MOURANT
A set of 11 lantern slides showing geological sites and structures within the Channel Islands, photographed by Dr Arthur Mourant.
As the custodians of the extensive Arthur Mourant photographic collection, we are delighted to receive this accession, which further contributes to his important body of work, of which geology forms a key part.
Two lantern slides depicting rock structures, c. 1920s. Photographs by Arthur Mournat. From SJPA/2026/04.
SJPA/2026/05 – COLOUR SLIDES OF JERSEY, C. 1965–75
This group contains 54 colour slides taken between approximately 1965 and 1975 by Stephen Chambers, an English tourist who visited Jersey several times during this period. The images are informal snapshots showing coastal views, beaches, rock formations, and visitor locations such as the War Tunnels and Winston Churchill Park. The Battle of Flowers also appears in several slides.
The images reflect Jersey from a tourist perspective – an important and much welcomed insight, especially given the island’s reliance on tourism during this period.
Numerous people enjoying afternoon on St Brelade’s Beach, c.1970. Photograph by Stephen Chambers. From SJPA/2026/05.
SJPA/2026/06 – LE NORMAND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
This collection includes photographic prints from the 1940s–1950s and colour negatives from approximately the 1980s–1990s.
The earlier prints depict Eric, Catherine (“Katie”), and Eddie Le Normand, who died in 1941 while serving in the Royal Navy. These identifications are supported by accompanying records.
The later negatives show domestic and outdoor scenes, including gardens and residential settings.
Portraits of members of the Le Normand family, c.1940s. From SJPA/2026/06.
SJPA/2026/07 – VAL PLAISANT PHOTOGRAPHS
Two photographic prints depicting Val Plaisant and Val Plaisant Road. One is inscribed “37 Val Plaisant, Pierre Lion, 1920s,” identifying a specific property and individual.
The photographs provide a straightforward record of the street and its layout, with the inscription offering additional context.
Monochrome photographic print depicting Val Plaisant Road, c.1920s. Photograph by Pierre Lion. From SJPA/2026/07.
SJPA/2026/08 – CABINET CARD ALBUM
A leather-bound album containing 48 cabinet card studio portraits.
Most were produced in Jersey, with several also from the UK. A small number of sitters are identified through notes on the reverse. The images follow the conventions of commercial studio portrait photography from the Victorian-era, with posed subjects and controlled settings.
Based on discussions with the depositor and a review of the album, it is likely that this collection relates to the original owner, Joseph Sinnatt (the depositor’s great-great-grandfather), and consists of photographs of his friends and family rather than a random group of individuals.
Page from Cabinet Card Album, c.1860-90. From SJPA/2026/08.
SJPA/2026/09 – GERMAN OCCUPATION / JERSEY LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHS
Group of ten photographs relating to Jersey. Three appear to depict a Nazi procession during the German Occupation (1940–45). The remaining seven are landscape views taken across the island, dating from approximately the 1930s to the 1950s.
Two monochrome photographic prints, c.1940s. Photographs by member(s) of the Alcock Family. From SJPA/2026/09.
SJPA/2026/10 – HOLIDAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY IRIS TERRY, 1951
Nine photographs taken in May 1951 by Iris Terry during a holiday in Jersey.
They include landscapes, green spaces, and views of the built environment. Identified locations include the Grand Hotel, West Park, St Aubin’s Bay, and St Brelade’s Church. The images follow a typical holiday pattern, recording key locations alongside more general views encountered during travel. Again, like SJPA/2026/05, twentieth century photographs from a tourist perspective are much welcomed.
Two monochrome photographic prints, 1951. Photographs by Iris Terry. From SJPA/2026/10.
SJPA/2026/11 – PHOTOGRAPH BY MARY LOUISA GENTRY, 1947
A photograph taken in Jersey in 1947 showing a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Noel standing in a field. Mr Noel appears to be holding a spraying device, possibly a crop fertiliser.
The image was taken by Mary Louisa Gentry during a Colchester Girl Guides trip and is identified as Jersey through a note on the reverse.
Mr & Mrs Noel at Milton Farm, St Martin’s,1947. Photograph by Mary Louisa Gentry. Sole photograph from SJPA/2026/11.
SJPA/2023/15/2026/B – SCENIC LANES COMPETITION, 2026
This accession consists of 91 digital colour photographs documenting the 2026 Société Jersiaise Scenic Lanes Competition, held on 27 May.
The photographs were taken by current Société Jersiaise President Gregory Guida and record the lanes visited during the competition, along with surrounding landscape views. A number also include Gregory’s fellow judges: Nicki Westwood, Nick Baker, Edward Du Mont, Anne Haden, and Rebecca Bailhache.
The images document both the locations visited and the process of the competition itself. All files are high-resolution digital photographs taken on a professional digital Canon camera.
Photos of Jersey Lanes, May 2026. Photographs by Gregory Guida. From SJPA/2023/15/2026/B.
Thank you to those who have deposited these materials into the Photographic Archive. Each accession adds to the ever-growing photographic collection at the Société Jersiaise, which is already the island’s oldest and largest. As such, we greatly appreciate the generosity of all those, past and present, who have contributed. In doing so, they play an important role in supporting the department’s aims to protect, preserve, and showcase valuable photographic records relating to Jersey.
If you have any further information relating to these collections or have material you would like us to consider for accession, please contact photoarchive@societe.je or telephone +44 (0) 1534 633394.
Text by Max Le Feuvre – Assistant Archivist, SJPA
