John Kjær retires after 50 years at the National Archives

John Kjær has retired after 50 years working at the National Archives of the Faroe Islands, KVF reported. Friday was his last day at the archives, where he worked as an archivist.

He plans to clear his office so someone else can use it, then focus on other interests, particularly sport. He is involved in several committees and is working on the upcoming Island Games. He also intends to return to the archives as a reading room user, ordering documents he wants to consult.

When Kjær began working at the archives, then called the National Archives, there was no inventory of the collections. He began recording what was held and where it was stored, shelf by shelf, and creating catalogues so visitors could find and request material for the reading room.

Over the years, he witnessed many changes, including transfers of responsibilities in the 1970s. Institutions transferred from central government often brought established administrative practices and some knowledge of record-keeping. Others had to start from scratch, and archives staff helped them.