Kelly's Directory Of Oxfordshire 1915

Kelly's Directory of Oxfordshire 1915 - A County on the Cusp of Change

Journey into the heart of Oxfordshire as it was in 1915, a world poised between the familiar certainties of the Edwardian era and the profound transformation of the Great War. This edition of Kelly's Directory is not merely a list of names and addresses; it is a poignant and invaluable time capsule, capturing a county in transition.

As the shadow of the First World War fell across Europe, life in Oxfordshire—from the dreaming spires of the university city to its quiet, agricultural villages—continued, marked by a sense of duty, community, and impending change. This directory preserves that moment in stunning detail.

What You Will Discover Within:

A Genealogist's Goldmine: Trace your Oxfordshire ancestors. Uncover their trades, find their homes, and discover the names of their neighbours, building a vivid picture of their daily lives.
A Local Historian's Blueprint: Explore the very fabric of your town or village. Find the names of the lord of the manor, the parish priest, the schoolmaster, and the local constable. See a complete list of shops, inns, and industries that formed the backbone of the local economy.
A Social & Economic Portrait: From the great colleges of Oxford to the smallest blacksmith's forge in a Cotswold hamlet, this directory reveals the intricate social and commercial networks of the time. The period advertisements offer a charming glimpse into the products and services of the day.
The 1915 Context: This edition holds unique significance. It records a county where men were enlisting, where women were taking on new roles, and where the community was rallying for the war effort. It is the last full look at a society that would be irrevocably altered.
Who Is This For?

Family History Researchers building their family tree.
Local Historians and students of 20th-century Britain.
Authors and Researchers seeking authentic period detail.
Anyone with a love for Oxfordshire and a desire to connect with its past.