Occupation

In 1940, during the German Occupation of the Channel Islands, all adults had to obtain an identity or ID card and to do so they had to complete a form and have their photograph taken.

All the original forms and photos are kept at the Island Archives Service and provide a look at one moment in Guernsey life with information on the 22,000 adults in the island, but not the 2,000 children who made up the rest of the population as they did not have to obtain ID cards.

As well as the usual questions of name, date of birth and address the forms also asked if the person had served in the British Army or if anyone from their family, from fathers and brothers to first cousins and nephews, was currently serving.

Island Archivist Dr Darryl Ogier said, "These are by far the most popular records with the public, especially with the family history enthusiasts."