Open new chapters of your family story with Oxfordshire family history records

Unravel family secrets and surprises with Oxfordshire archives online at Findmypast. Delve into Oxfordshire parish registers, military records and more. Your discoveries begin with your family tree.

Start family tree

A very short history of Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire was established in the early 10th century and is best known for the prestigious University of Oxford. Its biggest settlements are Oxford and Banbury.

From the 13th century, Oxfordshire had a key role in the Cotswold wool trade. The county also has a rich history in ecclesiastical architecture due to the presence of its university.

Unsurprisingly, many discoveries have been made and inventions developed by professors and fellows at the University of Oxford. This includes ground-breaking work on penicillin, antibodies and satellite meteorology.

Oxfordshire is the English county that’s furthest from the sea. Its pig population is believed to outnumber people, and it was home to Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland.

Built in the 1700s, Radcliffe Camera is central focal point of the University of Oxford.

Explore millions of Oxfordshire family history records online

From baptism to burial, trace your Oxfordshire ancestors’ incredible life stories in these essential genealogy collections.

Oxfordshire 1921 census: Collage of life in the 1920s

1920s life in Oxford

Were your Oxfordshire ancestors university students or rural farmers? Pinpoint them in the 1921 Census of England and Wales to find out. Only available online at Findmypast, this detail-rich snapshot reveals where your relatives were, who they were with and what they were doing one summer night over 100 years ago.

Search 1921 Census

Unique records. Unrivalled service.

“I’ve been a member of Findmypast for years and have found so many original records. What’s more, the Findmypast team is always willing to help with any issues.”

Pam Sullivan

Trustpilot review

Dig deeper with online Oxfordshire newspaper archives

Old Oxfordshire newspapers can help you flesh out your family story. Find names and dates in birth, marriage and death announcements, or local scandal and gossip from yesteryear.

Search more Oxfordshire newspapers

Discover local records all over England

If your family tree has roots outside of Oxfordshire, expand your search in our vast collection of nationwide records. Where will your past take you?

Select a region

Choose a region from the map or drop-down list to see more local record collections and learn about English history, county by county.