Though placed in this particular photo gallery, Stephen Barbet was not a professional photographer, but a bookseller, publisher & stationer that happened to also market photographs! In 1844 Stephen Barbet published 'Barbet's Guide for the Island of Guernsey'

In the 1841 Census, Stephen Barbet was aged 18 and his occupation was a printer. His father also called Stephen was a Gaoler at the prison in St Peter Port and the whole family resided there. In the 1851 Census, Stephen is now living with his own family (address not deciphered), married to Kate, also 28 and they have a daughter Rosa, aged 1, who was born in 1850.

In the 1861 Census the family is obviously 10 years older and they are now living above their 25 High Street premises - they also have a House Servant, aged 18 called Elizabeth Garland.

In the 1871 Census, his wife appears on her own with no daughter or husband and listed as a lodger at Brock Road St Peter Port (saying she comes from England). At the time of writing, no information can be found for her husband Stephen or her daughter Rosa for that year.

In the 1881 Census Stephen Barbet is a boarder in England at the 'Crown Hotel, Leamington', aged 58 - he says he is widowed! His occupation is marked as 'Renter Commercial Traveller Printer'. A record in this year for His wife cannot be found. This is also the last record that has been found for Stephen.

In the 1891 Census Kate Barbet was living at 104, Victoria Road St Peter Port in two rooms and marked as being married, now born in St Peter Port and with the Occupation of 'Living On Her Own Means'.

In the 1901 Census, Kate Barbet is now 78 and is shown as living at 'Cleveland, Doyle Road St Peter Port '. Her Occupation is 'Living On Own Means' and is shown as widowed. She has a servant called Elsie Borget, aged 17. This is the last record that can be found for Kate. Any further information if found will be gratefully received.


The very early cdv's and Stereo views shown here have his name prominently displayed on them. Who the actual photographers were under contract to S. Barbet to produce these images are not known. It is believed he initially operated in New Street St Peter Port, and then the company moved to 25 High Street. All the photographs that have been seen date from the 1860s and have the High Street address. He sold images from Herm and Sark as well as those from Guernsey.

In the High Street, Barbet's premises were later occupied by Staddon and Grigg, and after a few years by Mr F B Guerin. Those who can remember as far back as the 1960s and 70s will recall Fuzzey's being there as well. The premises are now part of Creasey's.