Kelly's Directory Of Oxfordshire 1939 Census Substitute

Kelly's Directory of Oxfordshire 1939 – The Essential Digital Census Substitute (Download or CD)

Product Description:

Step back in time to the eve of the Second World War with this comprehensive republication of Kelly's Directory of Oxfordshire 1939. This invaluable resource serves as a vital "Census Substitute," bridging the significant genealogical gap caused by the destruction of the 1931 Census and the cancellation of the 1941 Census due to the war.

Whether you are tracing your family tree, researching local history, or exploring the social structure of Oxfordshire just before the modern era, this directory provides an unparalleled snapshot of the county as it was in 1939.

Navigating the Directory

This directory is a high-quality scan of the original book, presented in a PDF format.

• Format: While the text consists of scanned images and is not digitally indexed, the directory’s strict alphabetical arrangement makes finding individuals and trades remarkably intuitive.
• Searchable Capability: Thanks to modern technology, most up-to-date PDF readers (such as Adobe Acrobat) perform "OCR on the fly." This means you can often use the search function (Ctrl+F) to locate names and places, even though the document is an image scan.

What’s Inside? A Section-by-Section Breakdown

This extensive volume is packed with detailed information, organized for easy reference:

1. County Information: A general overview of Oxfordshire, including topography, geology, and administrative details such as the Magistrates and the County Council.
2. The City of Oxford: A dedicated, deep-dive section covering the University, Colleges, and specific street directories of the city itself.
3. Street Directory: A comprehensive listing of streets and principal residents in key towns.
4. Private Residents Directory: An alphabetical list of private residents (heads of households) throughout the county, perfect for tracing where your ancestors lived.
5. Commercial & Trades Directory: A classified listing of businesses and tradesmen. Find out if your ancestors were bakers in Banbury, innkeepers in Witney, or stonemasons in Burford.
6. Parish & Town Histories: Descriptions of the history and landmarks of the various towns and villages within the county.

Historical Context & The 1939 Gap

For genealogists, the 1930s are a notoriously difficult period. With the 1931 Census lost to fire and no census taken in 1941, this 1939 directory is one of the few surviving universal lists of the population available to the public. It captures Oxfordshire on the brink of monumental change, listing the people who would soon face the challenges of the Home Front and evacuation.

Famous Oxfordshire Residents & Connections

Oxfordshire in 1939 was a hub of intellectual and industrial might. Within these pages, you may find references to the era's most influential figures:

• The Inklings: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were living and working in Oxford at this time. You can explore the streets surrounding the University colleges where they taught and discussed their literary works.
• William Morris (Lord Nuffield): The founder of Morris Motors, based in Cowley, was one of the most prominent industrialists in Britain. His influence on the city and county was immense, employing thousands in the booming car industry.
• Political Figures: With the looming war, political activity was rife; you may find local politicians or future figures residing in the county.

Interesting Facts About 1939 Oxfordshire

• The Motor City: By 1939, Oxford had arguably become the motor capital of the UK, thanks to Morris Motors and the Pressed Steel Company. The directory is filled with advertisements and listings related to the automobile industry.
• Academic Hub: The University of Oxford was the center of the intellectual world, attracting scholars from across the globe, many of whom are listed in the resident sections.
• Rural Traditions: Despite the industrialization of the city, the county remained deeply agricultural. The directory highlights the wool trade in the Cotswolds, the market gardening in the Thame Valley, and the famous brewing industry of Witney.
• Sporting Legacy: The county has a long history of rowing and football. While the Oxford University Boat Race crew of 1939 were preparing for the race (which was controversially held that year despite the outbreak of war), local football teams like Oxford City were active in the Southern League.

Map Information & Bonus

Please Note: Due to age and wear, some original maps in historical directories can be fragile or missing from the source material used for scanning. However, we have endeavored to include all maps present in the original book. BONUS: If the original fold-out county or town maps are present in this edition, they have been scanned in high resolution. These maps are a fantastic bonus, allowing you to visualize the exact boundaries and layout of the parishes where your ancestors lived and worked over 80 years ago.

System Requirements:

• Any PDF Reader (Adobe Reader recommended for best OCR results).
• Compatible with PC, Mac, and Tablet devices.