Heritage groups and organisations

​​​​Channel Islands Family History Society

The Channel Islands Family History Society studies and traces the family histories of Channel Islanders. Volunteers provide services from transcribing and indexing old church registers to helping the public with family history enquiries. The society has a large collection of material at the Jersey Archive including books, family trees and indexes of registers and censuses.

Channel Islands Occupation Society

The Channel Islands Occupation Society is a voluntary organisation dedicated to preserving all aspects of the German occupation of the Channel Islands during the Second World War.

It looks after the maintenance of several bunkers and researches the occupation period. It also keeps its own collection of photographs, film recordings, maps and books.

The society opens certain bunkers to the public on specific dates (see their website for details), allowing you to see the inside of these German-built fortifications.

Channel Islands Occupation Society website

Council for the Protection of Jersey's Heritage

The Council for the Protection of Jersey's Heritage (CPH) represents and promotes the protection of Jersey's heritage. It does this by:

• monitoring registers and planning applications
• monitoring listings of archaeological sensitivity
• ensuring the proper implementation and adherence to policies, regulations and best practices

The CPH is organised into working groups which each have a different area of responsibility – such as historic buildings, town planning or archaeology, for example. Each group has the power to take immediate action on any issues of concern so that they can quickly respond to sudden threats.

Friends of the Maritime Museum 

The Friends of the Maritime Museum is a voluntary society with charitable status. It helps maintain a maritime museum and encourage its use by the public. The Friends of the Maritime Museum work with Jersey Heritage, La Société Jersiaise and Jersey Harbours to:

research Jersey’s maritime history
• provide volunteers to help with projects
• help with restoration and maintenance of Jersey’s historic boats
• raise funds to support the work of the Maritime Museum boat shop

Friends of the Maritime Museum website

Jersey Heritage

Jersey Heritage’s purpose is to protect and promote Jersey’s rich cultural heritage. It receives a grant from the Education, Sport and Culture Department, but it is an independent organisation that relies on revenue generated by visitors and support from sponsors.

Jersey Heritage looks after the Island's major public historic sites, museums and archives - opening them to the public; arranging exhibitions, visits and events; offering community development; and managing sites and archives.

Sites and facilities

The Jersey Heritage Research Centre has information on collections, publications, historic environment and details of documents at Jersey Archive that can be accessed by the public for family and house history research.

Many of the major historic sites can be hired for corporate and private events, weddings and exhibitions.

Jersey Heritage website

National Trust for Jersey

The National Trust for Jersey’s aim is to protect our sites of historic and natural interest for the benefit of the Island. Although it looks after 20 historic buildings, most of its sites include areas of the natural environment - woodlands, farmland, countryside and coastland.  

The National Trust for Jersey is an independent charitable organisation, which relies heavily on donations and bequests to fund its programme of repair works and regular maintenance.

The trust also acquires land and property under threat of development; opens properties to the public; and organises social and educational events.

Accommodation and venue hire

The National Trust for Jersey hires out a number of unique and picturesque properties and also provides holiday accommodation.

National Trust for Jersey website 

Société Jersiaise

The Société Jersiaise aims to promote the study of Jersey’s archaeology, history, natural history, the ancient language and the conservation of the environment. Many of Jersey’s prehistoric sites are owned by the société and are free for visitors to enjoy. It also owns many of the items on display in Jersey’s museums.

The société holds exhibitions and displays, collects artefacts and other items of interest, and also coordinates art scholarships which encourage the development of contemporary art by young Islanders. 

Facilities

The Lord Coutanche Library and Photographic Archive are important resources holding family archives, local newspapers and almanacs, photographs, prints, maps and genealogical material.

Société Jersiaise website