A NEW archive project to unveil the rich history of former residents of Ombersley Court, the Sandys family, has been announced.
The project will provide public access to family papers dating back to 1272 courtesy of collaboration from Worcestershire County Council and the Ombersley Conservation Trust.
The collection will include accounts, letters, estate records, and personal documents, all catalogued and preserved in the Worcestershire archives.
These papers provide a glimpse into the fascinating history of a house and its inhabitants.
Ombersley Court’s cast of characters and the family’s complex lineage included a stead succession of MPs, members of the clergy, cousins who fought on oppsoing sides of the English Civil War and one member who served Wellington’s army during the Peninsular War and Battle of Waterloo.
Councillor Karen May, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities at Worcestershire County Council said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the fascinating history of the Sandys family and the magnificent Ombersley Court Estate.
“By making these precious documents available to everyone, we are not only preserving our local heritage but also inviting more people to discover and celebrate Worcestershire’s vibrant past.”
At the heart of this story is Ombersley Court an impressive, listed manor house and Estate.
Set in the Worcestershire countryside, it was home to the titled family from 1614 and the collection includes accounts, correspondence, deeds and estate records as well as wills, maps, plans, household records, details of property across the UK and an array of family and personal papers dating from around the 17th to the 20th century.
A spokesperson for the Ombersley Conservation Trust added: “The Trust appreciates the importance of this archive, and Trustees would like to ensure that it becomes readily accessible for research.
“We are looking forward to following the progress of this project and learning more about the Ombersley Estate and the Sandys family.”
Throughout the project, the Trust will develop learning and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the archive and encourage community involvement, offering everyone the opportunity to explore the Sandys Family archives.
Access to the already catalogued Sandys archive is available to the public immediately through the archive searchroom at The Hive, Worcester.
Dr Adrian Gregson, Worcestershire County Council Archive and Archaeology Service archivist said: “We are very pleased to partner with the Ombersley Conservation Trust on this project.
“The first archive collections of the Sandys family were deposited here in 1938, and the late Lord Sandys was a keen supporter of what was then Worcestershire Record Office, and I remember meeting him as the first president of our Friends committee.”
Visit https://www.explorethepast.co.uk/contact-us/ for more information. A viewing of the collection requires booking at least seven days in advance.
