What is an Archive?

Archives are organized collections of historical records, documents, and other materials that are preserved and maintained for research, historical, and cultural purposes. These collections may be physical, digital, or a combination of both, and they serve as important repositories of information and knowledge. One of the primary functions of archives is to preserve historical materials. Archivists use specialized techniques and storage methods to protect documents and artifacts from deterioration, damage, and loss. This may involve climate control, conservation efforts, and digitization to ensure long-term accessibility.

What are the functions and purposes of photo archives?

Preservation of visual history/ education:

Photo archives are collections of images that document historical events, people, places, and cultures. Their primary purpose is to preserve visual records for future generations, ensuring that important moments of history are not lost. They are also very valuable sources of information for historians, educators, students and researches as they provide visual evidence and allow access to materials that can be used to study and learn about specific moments in history.

Journalism and Media/ legal:

News organizations and media outlets frequently use and rely on photo archives to access images for news stories, documentaries, and other media productions. by using archival images, it allows the person viewing/ consuming the media to add some visual context to news events ect. Furthermore, photos are often used as evidence in legal cases, insurance claims, and property documentation. photo archives can be crucial in verifying the accuracy and authenticity of visual evidence.

How are archives a repository of knowledge?

Archives serve as repositories of knowledge by preserving and organizing historical records, documents, and materials. Archives protect valuable information from deterioration and loss due to ageing or erosion/ environmental factors. ensuring that knowledge is available for future generations. By having archives it provides a structured and organised system to find and access information.

Jersey archive

The Société Jersiaise was founded in January 1873 by a small number of prominent Islanders who were interested in the study of the history, the language and the antiquities of Jersey.  Membership grew quickly and the aims of the new society soon widened to include the publication of historical documents, the founding of a Museum, and the study of the Island’s natural history.  Their first Bulletin Annuel was issued in 1875 and continues to be the main record of our activities. However, In 1992 the Photographic Archive (SJPA) was established to implement appropriate collections management policies for the photographic collections held by the Société Jersiaise Library. From its foundation, the Société actively encouraged the use of photography in achieving its aims, resulting in the natural accrual of photographic materials. In 1927 Emile F. Guiton was appointed to manage the Library’s first cabinet for housing photographic records. The collection acted as both a repository of research resources relating to Jersey, and as a record of the work carried out by the Société’s Sections and Departments. Today the SJPA is responsible for over 140,000 records and is Jersey’s primary repository for photographic materials; as described in the shared collections management policy between Jersey Heritage and the Société Jersiaise, which came into effect in 2019. 

What i found was interesting about the Jersey Archive was how it is looked after by people from the jersey community, and how, many people donate artefacts for them to be preserved in the correct conditions which further allows it to be enjoyed by more people. Another thing that i thought was really interesting was, if Jersey societie was not created many of these images would have been lost and we would not know as much history about the Island we live on.

Ernest Badoux

Born in France, 1828, Ernest Badoux moved to Jersey in 1869 where he made his living as a portraitist, and took pictures of affluent islanders’ houses. Baudoux’s work was of the highest quality, and many of the surviving images are in superb collection. The portraits, most of which have names inscribed on the backs (although often only surnames, so that it is difficult to link pictures to particular families) are supreme examples of the Victorian art of photographic portraiture. They convey the fashions of the time, both in clothing and hairstyles. Usually the subjects wore their best clothes for the portrait sessions. For the ladies in the 1870s and 80s, this meant long black dresses. The fashion for white dresses, which would be almost universally worn in public later on, did not emerge until much closer to the end of the century. It was also common for children, and sometimes adults, to be photographed wearing fancy dress. Sailor suits were particulaly popular for boys. If the subjects of the images appear rather dour this is easily explained. They would have to hold their pose for a lengthy period, which is why they can often be seen posing with their arms folded and supported on the back of a chair, or a firm cushion. Staring blankly at the camera for the required time was relatively easily accomplished, whereas holding a smile was impossible.

In conclusion, archives are evidence of knowledge, which ensures that the past is not forgotten and that information is accessible to current and future generations. They play a vital role in preserving, organizing, and providing access to a wide range of valuable knowledge sources. These collections may be physical, digital, or a combination of both, and they serve as important repositories of information and knowledge.