Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu became a British protectorate in 1892, and in 1916 the islands became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. Tuvalu was administrered as a single administrative unit from the district headquarters in Funafuti. American military bases were set up at Funafuti, Nanumea and Nukufetau in 1942. Funafuti became the administrative centre of the colony for the period of the Japanese occupation of Nauru and the Gilbert Islands. The colonial headquarters shifted to Tarawa after the War. Tuvalu was granted self-government on 1 October 1975.Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu became a British protectorate in 1892, and in 1916 the islands became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. Tuvalu was administrered as a single administrative unit from the district headquarters in Funafuti. American military bases were set up at Funafuti, Nanumea and Nukufetau in 1942. Funafuti became the administrative centre of the colony for the period of the Japanese occupation of Nauru and the Gilbert Islands. The colonial headquarters shifted to Tarawa after the War. Tuvalu was granted self-government on 1 October 1975.

CONTENTS: Selected Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, Ellice Islands District, archives, as arranged by the Western Pacific Archives, documenting Island Councils, Island Courts, and Lands Commission proceedings, as follows:
• Reel 1-5, TUV4(2)I-VII, Nanumanga Island Council and Island Courts, 1939-1968.
• Reel 5-11, TUV4(4)I-II, IV-XI, Niutao Island Council, Island Courts & Lands Commission, 1929-68.
• Reel 12-13, TUV4(5)I-IV, VI-IX, Nui Island Council, Island Courts & Lands Commission, 1948-68.
• Reel 13-14, TUV4(6)I, Nukufetau Lands Commission, n.d.
• Reel 14-19, TUV4(7)I-IV, VI-VIII, Nukulaelae Island Council, Island Courts & Lands Commission, 1910-1972.
• Reel 20-25, TUV4(8)I-IX, Vaitupu Island Council, Island Courts and Lands Commission, 1880-1965.
For TUV4(1)I-XI, Funafuti Island Council, Island Courts and Lands Commission see PMB 1257.
For TUV4(3)I-VII, Nanumea Island Council, Island Courts and Lands Commission see PMB 1257.
See also PMB 1257 for further general Ellice Islands Lands Commission records at TUV7/III & IV, and PMB 1306 and PMB 1307 for additional GEIC Ellice Islands District Office correspondence.
See Finding aids for details.