The Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society have launched a new project that will offer a glimpse of Jersey’s rural life from two centuries ago
The team at the RJA&HS have been awarded a grant that will allow the digitisation of historic documents, dating back almost 200 years.
Documents include the RJA&HS Annual Reports produced by the Society since 1833, along with Newsletters and Magazines that have previously only been held in paper copy in the Society’s library. Digitising these precious and unique records will ensure they are not only preserved, but also made available for the world to see.
RJA&HS Archivist Christine Vibert said: ‘The Annual Reports provide a wealth of detail about agricultural and horticultural activities within the Island, as well as local businesses advertising their services. They are such unique documents, providing a snapshot of life in the farming community at that time. After we have created the initial database with all of the Annual Reports, Newsletters and Magazines, we intend to keep adding to it with photographs, videos and more from our archives.’
The year-long project will see the new online archive launch to the general public during the first half of 2026. The project is kindly supported by The Jersey Community Foundation with funds from the Channel Islands Lottery.
Project Manager at the RJA&HS, Louise Agnès said ‘We are delighted that these reports will soon be available to the general public, both in Jersey and around the world. They give a fascinating insight into Jersey’s farming heritage and the rural way of life on the Island over the last two centuries. Given that more than a third of Jersey’s households worked in agriculture 200 years ago, the documents offer a compelling glimpse into what life on the Island was truly like. We are extremely grateful to the Jersey Community Foundation for supporting the project.
