Kelly's Directory of Oxfordshire 1920 - Digital Download or CD

Unlock the history of your ancestors and the evolution of Oxfordshire with this comprehensive facsimile of Kelly’s Directory 1920.

Available as an instant digital download or a physical CD-ROM, this essential genealogical resource offers a vivid snapshot of life in Oxfordshire just after the First World War. Bridging the critical gap between the 1911 and the 1921 censuses, this directory is an indispensable tool for family historians tracing their lineage through the early 20th century.

Navigating the Directory

This directory is a high-quality scan of the original book, presented as searchable images. While the text itself is not embedded (meaning it is not instantly searchable like a modern Word document), the directory is organized alphabetically by town and village, making manual lookup straightforward and intuitive.

Tech Tip: Most modern PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) now perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the fly. This means you can often use the "Find" function (Ctrl+F) to search for surnames or street names, allowing the software to read the text from the images for you.

What's Inside the Directory?

This extensive volume is divided into detailed sections to help you piece together the daily lives of your relatives:

• County Information: A comprehensive overview of Oxfordshire’s topography, geology, and administrative structure, including details on the Magistrates and the County Council.
• Court Directory (Private Residents): An alphabetical list of private residents, featuring the gentry, clergy, and prominent tradespeople living in the county at the time.
• Trades Directory: A classified commercial directory where you can find ancestors by their profession. Whether they were bakers, blacksmiths, or drapers, this section places them in their economic context.
• Town & Village Histories: Detailed descriptions of the major towns and villages, including local history, landmarks, and religious institutions.
• Street Directory (Oxford City): A specific street-by-street breakdown of the City of Oxford, listing the head of households for specific addresses—crucial for pinpointing exactly where your family lived.
• Advertisements: A fascinating collection of contemporary ads, providing insight into the products, services, and language of the era.

Bridging the Census Gaps

For genealogists, the early 20th century presents a unique challenge. The 1921 Census is the next major census after 1911, and the 1931 Census was sadly destroyed in the Second World War. The 1941 Census was never taken due to the war. This makes the 1920 Directory a vital piece of the puzzle, helping you confirm residency and occupations between the 1911 Census and the 1939 Register.

Oxfordshire in 1920: Famous Residents & Local History

This directory captures Oxfordshire at a time of great transition. In 1920, the county was shifting from a quiet rural region to a center of industry and academic excellence.

• The Rise of the Motor Industry: This era marks the boom of William Morris (Lord Nuffield) and Morris Motors in Cowley. By 1920, the industry was transforming Oxfordshire, employing thousands and changing the landscape of the city from "dreaming spires" to a bustling industrial hub.
• Literary Figures: While J.R.R. Tolkien was working on the Oxford English Dictionary at this time and had not yet published The Hobbit, the academic circles of Oxford were thick with literary giants. You may find listings for the colleges housing future legends.
• Alice in Wonderland Connections: The legacy of Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) remained strong in the city. You can explore the streets associated with Alice Liddell, the real inspiration for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
• Sporting Heritage: While football was popular, Oxfordshire in 1920 was also known for its rowing and cricket. The directory lists the many local clubs and grounds that fostered community spirit.

Important Disclaimer regarding Maps

Please note that due to the age of the original source material and the way these directories were bound, the original map section was sometimes removed or damaged before scanning. While every effort has been made to provide a complete reproduction, we cannot guarantee the presence of the original fold-out map. If the map is present in your copy, please treat it as a special bonus!

Technical Details

• Format: PDF (Scanned Images)
• Compatibility: Readable on any PC, Mac, Tablet, or Smartphone using a standard PDF reader.
• Source: Reproduced from the original 1920 publication.

Step back in time and walk the streets of Oxfordshire with your ancestors. Order your copy of Kelly's Directory 1920 today!