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09/04/2020 | Press release | Archived content

WORLD WAR II AS ITS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE: ANCESTRY UNVEILS POIGNANT NEW ART COLLECTION CREATED TO COMMEMORATE THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLITZSep 04, 2020

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  • Ancestry® has worked with 33 artists around the UK to create a new collection of artworks depicting 80 untold stories from The Blitz
  • Each piece of art is inspired by an historical record and true story from the areas hit hardest by The Blitz
  • Inspired by the War Artists Advisory Committee from World War II and based on records held at The National Archives, the new collection brings to life true stories of everyday heroism from The Blitz
  • Ancestry hosts over two billion records to help people uncover the untold personal stories of World War II - from the home front to the front line

4th September 2020, London UK - To mark 80 years since the start of The Blitz, Ancestry, the global leader in family history, has commissioned a new collection of art depicting life during The Blitz and World War II.

The 80 pieces of art, available to view on Ancestry.co.uk/Blitz80, are based on real-life stories discovered in wartime records available on Ancestry and aim to bring to life the extraordinary 'everyday' lives and efforts of people all over the country and the British spirit that shone through whilst they lived and served on the home front.

The new collection was inspired by the War Artists Advisory Committee (WAAC) which was established at the outbreak of World War II by the UK Government's Ministry of Information. Its aim was to compile a comprehensive artistic record of Britain throughout the war and by the end of World War II, included 5,570 pieces. The original records are held at The National Archives, in Kew.

Russell James, Family History expert at Ancestry, said: 'As we mark the 80th anniversary of the start of The Blitz, a time of tragedy but also a time that truly demonstrated the great British spirit we wanted to pay tribute to the original War Artists Advisory Committee by adding our own update to this important collection of works with 80 new pieces, each inspired by everyday life during The Blitz and throughout World War II.

'By preserving these stories in a new and engaging way, we hope we can shine a light on what our families went through during that time and encourage people now to discover their connection to The Blitz and World War II.''

Using artistic mediums ranging from digital illustration to oil painting, 33 artists from around the UK have created contemporary interpretations of records and images. Artists include Michael Snodgrass who showcased the courage of a messenger during the air raids in Coventry via ink work, meanwhile Megan Menzies portrayed a wedding ceremony in the ruins of the New Jewin Welsh Chapel, Aldersgate, which was destroyed during the London blitz via oil on canvas. Whilst, Amy Kate Wolfe unveils the bravery of two men who rescued five horses belonging to Great Western Railway whose stables were under fire in South Docks, Swansea.

Dr William Butler, Head of Military Records at The National Archives, said: 'This fascinating Ancestry project showcases how our historical collections can inspire in such a variety of ways, and has provided such an impressive breadth of responses. The Civilian Gallantry Award records are a treasure trove of stories, highlighting the incredible and often dangerous work carried out by individuals working as air raid wardens, first aid workers, firewatchers and messengers during the Second World War. They provide vivid details of the exploits and heroic deeds of civilians fighting a war away from the battlefields and highlight the sacrifices so often made on the home front'.

Ancestry.co.uk hosts the UK's largest online collection of family history documents with more than two billion UK records, helping people uncover the untold personal stories of World War II - from the home front to the front line. The new collection of World War II artwork also comes as Ancestry launches StoryScout®, a new feature which allows users to create an engaging narrative of their ancestor's life.

For more information about Ancestry's Blitz art collection and StoryScout, visit www.ancestry.co.uk/Blitz80. To access Ancestry's records and discover untold personal stories from World War II, visit www.ancestry.co.uk.

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