what are archives:

Archives are a way to hold documents, images, videos, recording and more. Archives in photography are where many old, historical images are held, often in libraries or museums. Many of the images help us to understand to this day what things were like back then and how photography has evolved. The Société Jersiaise archives is an educational charity and is known for having over 15,000 images of portraits of named people as well as images of the island including even bay, the valleys and more. Not only does it hold older images but also newer image that will be held for the future and for memories. It is an important cultural heritage value that Jersey is lucky to have. They have be producing and documenting things from archeology, geology, ecology and economy, to community, architecture and culture for the past 150 years through the form of photographic material. The archives hope to provide a way to reflect on the past life and events through their multiple collections.

artist zoom in: Percival Dunham

Percival Dunham was a photographer journalist since 1911, and photographed events such as the Jersey Battle of Flowers and the grounding of the roebuck at St Brelade’s Bay. He left Jersey in 1914 to serve in 503 Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery during World War 1. As little is known about him, it is assumed that he moved to the island in the latter half of 1911. After the war he moved back to Jersey and lived here until his death in 1961. On the 7th of April an exhibition was opened at the Jersey Art Centre featuring a large number of his images collected from the Société Jersiaise archives. Overall Dunham produced a remarkable amount of images of Jersey all over the island about life before and after the Great War. It is said that Dunham’s style of images was ahead of his time which is why they were so greatly impactful.

image analysis:

conclusion:

To conclude, I think that archives are more than just gatekeeping old photos or documents but a way of holding the history of Jersey and knowledge that can be passed on to understand it. Not only do these photos show us how the Island was back then but they also hold deep stories that are very meaningful to many people and can show us how Jersey has evolved and developed since. I also believe that history in involved in everyones lives whether its to do with family, traditions or architecture etc. Within many of the photos that the Société Jersiaise archives hold we can see these aspects throughout. this makes the images more sentimental and hold greater meaning. Some of what the images capture is still on the island to this day showing its importance to Jersey and how islanders treasure it.