Jersey Archive releases details of Island’s ‘aliens’ from 1920s

The so called Aliens’ Registration Cards, which were used from 1920 until the 1960s, record details of foreign residents in Jersey. Held in a collection of 3,500 cards, the material has been available to view at the Jersey Archive for years, but is now available online on a pay-per-view basis or as part of a subscription to the Jersey Heritage catalogue.

Among the collection is the registration card of Prince George Chavchavadze, a famous pianist and composer, who was married to the wealthy Elizabeth de Breteuil. The pair rented a manor at La Haule before the Occupation, believing that the war would not reach Jersey, but they left the Island on 16 June 1940 for England when it became apparent that German forces were on their way.

Samuro Kimura’s card is also available to view. He was a Japanese national born in Okayama in 1896 who came to the Island as a 26-year-old in 1922 to study shipping. However, his card records a change during his stay that shows he became a chef.

Mr Kimura stayed in Jersey throughout the Second World War and later died in the Island in 1971.

Linda Romeril, head of archives and collections at Jersey Heritage, said: ‘We have an astonishing collection of documents and official records and are working hard to make more and more available online. The catalogue is a fully searchable and is a valuable resource for people to discover more about their and the Island’s heritage at the click of a mouse.’

The cards are particularly useful for people who want to trace ancestors who were born outside Jersey and Britain, but who lived in the Island in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The documents, which are closed for 100 years from the date of the individual’s birth, include addresses, dates of birth and occupations. They also come with a photo, which was provided by each individual.

Other details include arrival dates in the Island, the card owner’s last place of residence, marriage dates, naturalisation dates if applicable and, often, death dates.

  • Since 1993 Jersey Archive has collected over 300,000 archival records from the States of Jersey, States Committees and Departments, the Royal Court, H.E. Lieutenant-Governor, Parishes, Churches, Businesses, Societies and individuals relating to the Island. These records are now stored in our environmentally monitored strongrooms at the Jersey Archive.
  • Jersey Archive aims to meet the highest standards of archival care and access. In 2014 we were awarded accredited status by The National Archive under the UK Archive Service Accreditation Standard.
  • Jersey Archive also holds the collections of the Channel Islands Family History Society.
  • Awarded Accredited Archive status in 2014[/breakout]
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