FAQs
Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions to provide some further information about the Archives service. This will be added to over time and if you would like to submit a question to be included, please get in touch.
The Archives are open to everyone. The Archives is open during normal government working hours to respond to general queries and research requests. The Reading Room is the dedicated, public space to access archival records and we ask that you let us know in advance of your visit.
To see our full opening times please visit: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.fk/about-archives/opening-hours
Our online collections are available here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.fk/online-collections
As part of the Reading Room Regulations the following items are not permitted:
Pens, biros, felt tips or any ink utensil - they can cause irreparable damage to documents
Coats and bags
Food and drink, including chewing gum and sweets
No sharp objects
Please ensure that laptops and mobiles are on silent mode, and that you disable the flash on any camera equipment.
No animals – please contact Archive staff if you have a guide dog
If any of the above are brought into the building then researchers will be asked to leave them in the reception area.
Yes. You can use your hand-held camera, phone, tablet or laptop to take still images of documents. Flash photography is not permitted so researchers must disable the flash on any camera equipment.
You may not use any device that scans images, or that has an integral or external stand or extension (such as a tripod or selfie stick).
No filming is allowed in the Archives.
All researchers visiting the Archives has a responsibility to support the preservation of documents in our care. This means that records need to be handled carefully to ensure no damage is caused to the documents.
The below lists some general practices that are part of the Reading Room regulations and expected to be followed by everyone:
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Documents are not to be marked, folded or re-arranged
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Do not write on paper on top of any item or file as this can damage it
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Turn pages with care and do not lick fingers when turning pages
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Use the preservation aids provided to ensure that documents are fully supported and be very careful when handling large volumes
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After use records should be returned in their original order and condition.
Precise and consistent citation helps to demonstrate that your research is based on documentary evidence. It is also crucial to allow other researchers to identify the source, verify information or take any initial research forward.
The following will support you, as a researcher, cite the source material in any research paper or publication. Please also see our copyright guidance for more information.
A source citation contains the following information:
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Name of Institution responsible for records (Jane Cameron National Archives)
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Full Catalogue reference – the alphanumeric code used to identify records and the title of the record if listed
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Internal Identifier – the details of page number or number within the piece (the box, volume, roll)
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Link to the Archives website, and date accessed record, if sourced online
Example of full citation:
For first citation:
Jane Cameron National Archives, Falkland Islands (JCNA). SHI/REF/1. Shipping Register - 12 January 1842 to 11 March 1879, p4.
Jane Cameron National Archives, Falkland Islands (JCNA). H14. Government Letter Books (Inward Miscellaneous): Miscellaneous Letters, etc to Government (Governor Moore) - July 1856 to May 1858.
Jane Cameron National Archives, Falkland Islands (JCNA). P/PNG/19#22. Penguin. 27 May 1929.
Jane Cameron National Archives, Falkland Islands (JCNA). C5. Volume III Miscellaneous Letters to Government (Governor Rennie) - 22 January 1850 to 31 December 1851. Retrieved from the JCNA website: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.fk/online-collections/government/despatch-letter-books/inward-miscellaneous-to-government-h-volumes/governors-moody-rennie-and-moore-1842-to-1864-c1-to-c5-and-h3-to-h18 (accessed on 1 January 2024).
Jane Cameron National Archives, Falkland Islands (JCNA). Falkland Islands Company Ltd Collection (FIC). FIC/IW1. FIC Store Ledger D - 1 Oct 1858 to 31 Dec 1868. Retrieved from the JCNA website: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.fk/online-collections/falkland-islands-company-ltd-collection/employees-customers-etc (accessed on 1 January 2024).
Jane Cameron National Archives, Falkland Islands (JCNA). Record of the meeting of the Legislative Council held 6 December 1989.
For subsequent citation:
JCNA. SHI/REF/1, p4.
JCNA. H14.
JCNA. P/PNG/19#22
JCNA. C5. Retrieved from JCNA website 1 January 2024.
JCNA. FIC/IW1. Retrieved from JCNA website 1 January 2024.
JCNA. Record of LegCo 6 December 1989.
Copies of government records may be used freely for private research and educational purposes.
If material is to be used for commercial publication, exhibition or broadcast the written permission of the Jane Cameron National Archives must first be obtained.
Whenever material from the Jane Cameron National Archives is reproduced in any form or in any medium, the user must acknowledge the Jane Cameron National Archives as the source and give all document references (see above).
For non-government records it is your responsibility as the user to ensure that copyright is not infringed and any infringement that does occur is your responsibility.
The Jane Cameron National Archives is undertaking work to digitise the archival records to make them more accessible to people both locally in the Falkland Islands and overseas. It is also a preservation tool, meaning the original archival records do not have to be handled, reducing risk of damage and extending the life of the record.
However, digitisation is a time consuming process to ensure it is done correctly and original documents are in a suitable condition to be digitsed. Some records may not be digitised in order to comply with copyright, privacy and publicity rights, donor restrictions and some records may be too fragile to risk being damaged by the process.
To access our online collection and those records that have been digitised, please visit: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.fk/online-collections
Digitised records are no replacement for original archive material. The original also needs to be preserved and both the digitised and original needs to be protected against harm for the long term.
One of the earliest documents we have is a letter from Louis Vernet appointing Captain Smyley as the official pilot for shipping in Port Louis, Port William and other East Falkland waters.
Consistent records and recordkeeping did not begin until 1842 with the arrival of Governor Moody and commencement of government administration.
If you would like to donate material then please contact the Jane Cameron National Archives to discuss further, either on telephone +500 27249 or on email at: national.archives@sec.gov.fk
The Archives are open to all. Share your knowledge, volunteer or simply tell us how we're doing.
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To access the archival collections, you can either book an appointment to view records in person or you can peruse the online collection at: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.fk/online-collections
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To provide feedback through the Comments, Compliments and Complaints Procedure please visit: www.falklands.gov.fk/feedback
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To register your interest in volunteering or being added to our mailing list for regular updates and news, please email: national.archives@sec.gov.fk
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To folow us on Facebook go to: https://www.facebook.com/JCNArchives
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To join Friends of the Falkland Islands Museum and Jane Cameron National Archives, which supports the service and our work, you can go to their website at: https://fimafriends.co.uk/