During the German occupation of Guernsey from 1940 to 1945, every islander received an identity card, serving both as a form of control and a reflection of their daily struggles and resilience. Did your ancestors resist, adapt, or simply endure? What challenges did they navigate in those uncertain times? For those with Channel Island heritage, these records provide a valuable opportunity to uncover family history.
During the German occupation of Guernsey from 1940 to 1945, every islander received an identity card, serving both as a form of control and a reflection of their daily struggles and resilience. Did your ancestors resist, adapt, or simply endure? What challenges did they navigate in those uncertain times? For those with Channel Island heritage, these records provide a valuable opportunity to uncover family history.
Findmypast has digitised the original identify forms and transcribed the vital details from each form. The details in the forms may vary but most will include the following:
We always recommend that you explore the original image to delve deeper into your family history. The images may give you more insight into your ancestor’s life during the occupation such as:
Three images with each form, the front and back of the form. Then a close-up image of the portrait. In some cases, the photo was glued to the form and could not be moved to reveal the information underneath.
When the German forces invaded Guernsey on 28 June 1940, the islanders, cut off from mainland Britain, found their world reshaped overnight. By 29 July, a hastily organised census counted 23,981 people left behind to face the long shadow of occupation. The occupying authorities introduced compulsory identity cards for all civilians over the age of 14 for security and monitoring purposes.
Guernsey had no national registration system before the occupation. In October 1940, the German Commander-in-Chief, Colonel Graf von Schmettow, ordered the introduction of identity cards. On 12 October 1940, the Royal Court of Guernsey passed an ordinance allowing the Controlling Committee to establish a registration system.
Parish Constables were appointed as Registrars, and Major Alick Stockwell became temporary Registrar-General. Applications for identity cards were completed in local parish centres, witnessed by officials, and required applicants to declare any previous service in the British armed forces.
The first cards were issued from 25 November 1940. They were printed in English and German. By 6 January 1941, 22,103 cards had been distributed.
In March 1941, the German authorities ordered that photographs must be added to the cards. This became the largest photographic exercise undertaken in Guernsey. Between May and August 1941, all residents over 14 were photographed at parish centres. Three prints were produced; one for the identity card and two for official records.
Children under 14 were recorded on a parent’s card. Married, divorced, or widowed women were required to give their maiden names.
Identity cards were used to control movement around the island, enforce curfews, access rationed goods, and separate local residents from foreign labourers brought to Guernsey by the Organisation Todt. Changes in personal circumstances, such as address or marital status, were recorded on the cards. Some were later stamped Evacuated to Germany following the deportations of 900 islanders from September 1942.
The system remained in place after the Liberation of Guernsey on 9 May 1945. Returning evacuees from the UK were required to apply for an identity card, although photographs were no longer necessary.
In partnership with Bailiwick of Guernsey Digitisation Partnership this landmark digitisation project brings millions of searchable records online, only at Findmypast.