The Channel Islands is made up of five different islands, each one represented by their own flag, as illustrated here. The islands are Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.

The islands are located in the English Channel close to the Normandy coastline and are a crown dependency. The islands are governed by two Bailiwicks – One representing Jersey and other Guernsey. The Channel Islands was the only territory within the crown dependency to be occupied by Germany in the Second World War.

Whilst the Channel Islands falls outside of the remit of European Ancestors, I have nonetheless provided a set of links and general information for the island to assist you in your research.

General Sites

• The website of the British Monarchy – Channel Islands
• Background briefing on the Crown dependencies
• States of Jersey
• States of Guernsey
• States of Alderney
• Government of Sark
• Island Life

Genealogical and Historical Sites

• Family Tree DNA Channel Islands Project
• House & Family History – Jersey Heritage
• Family History in Jersey
• Guernsey Archives
• Priaulx Library Guernsey
• La Société Guernesiaise
• Channel Island Links at GENUKI
• Société Jersiaise
• Channel Islands Occupation Society (Jersey) Ltd

Recommended Books & Papers

• Tracing Your Channel Island Ancestors by Marie Backhurst.  I certainly recommend Marie’s book for researching in this area.
• Guernsey Evacuees by Gillian Mawson
• The Jews in the Channel Islands during the German Occupation 1940 – 1945 by Frederick Cohen (link not working 16 Dec 2015, but I am trying to locate a workable link)
• William Brown ledger A collection of press cuttings and public notices from 1940 – 1945