Oxfordshire Societies

Family history societies often publish helpful journals, transcripts, compiled genealogies and host helpful websites. They may have ongoing projects to transcribe records and create indexes. Most societies publish queries in their journals and maintain lists of members’ research interests that may be helpful to you. You may want to join one of these societies, reap the benefits of their expertise and resources, or support its efforts.

Addresses of the societies are for the most part where their meetings are held as they are by-and-large not brick-and-mortar institutions.

Regional Societies
CBA South Midlands Group Email: [mailto:dp.ingham@albion-arch.com dp.ingham@albion-arch.com] Website: CBA South Midlands Group


 * The CBA South Midlands group, an autonomous local group under the umbrella of the national Council for British Archaeology. CBA South Midlands covers four counties – Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire. They are an educational charity working to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of the present and future generations.

Goring Gap Local History Society 6 Nun’s Acre Goring Berkshire RG8 9BE UK Telephone: 01491 871022 Website: Goring Gap Local History Society


 * The Society has a good collection of historical material in its archives and has published several booklets. The archives are open to the public by appointment. Members receive an annual journal containing a variety of short articles on topics of local interest. The Society’s oral history project aims to record the memories of local people for posterity.

Oxfordshire Family History Society Exeter Hall 1AB Oxford Rd Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 UK Telephone: 01865 358151 Email: [mailto:help@ofhs.org.uk help@ofhs.org.uk] Website: Oxfordshire Family History Society


 * The Society was founded in 1976 to encourage and promote the study of Family History. It caters to those with Oxfordshire or North Berkshire ancestry as well as those who live locally but with ancestors from elsewhere.

Oxfordshire Societies
Ashbury Local History Society Telephone: 01793 790181 Email: [mailto:marionlt@waitrose.com marionlt@waitrose.com] Website: Ashbury Local History Society

Aston History Group Telephone: 01993 850440 Email: [mailto:aston.historygroup@hotmail.co.uk aston.historygroup@hotmail.co.uk] Website: Aston History Group


 * We are keen to help anyone with Family History queries and to hear from anyone who can add to our knowledge of our past. In particular anyone with old pictures of the parish and any information about Aston Training School, Laundry and Jane Clarke, its founder.

Banbury Historical Society Education Room Banbury Museum Spiceball Park Road Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 2PQ UK Telephone: 01295 753781 Email: [mailto:simon.townsend@banburymuseum.org simon.townsend@banburymuseum.org] Website: Banbury Historical Society


 * Banbury Historical Society was founded in 1958 by a group of local historians to encourage research into the local history of Banbury town and its hinterland.

Bartons' History Group Alice Marshall Hall North Street Middle Barton, Oxfordshire OX7 7BU UK Telephone: 01869 347013 Email: [mailto:christine.edbury@yahoo.co.uk christine.edbury@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Bartons' History Group


 * The Bartons' History Group is based in the villages of Middle Barton, Westcote Barton, and Steeple Barton in North Oxfordshire.

Bensington Society History Group Parish Hall Benson Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 6LZ UK Telephone: 01491 837885 Email: [mailto:micansue@virginmedia.com micansue@virginmedia.com] Website: Bensington Society History Group


 * One of the aims of The Bensington Society when it was formed was to preserve all that is best in Benson and so early on a History Group was formed.

Bicester Local History Society Clifton Centre Ashdene Road Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 UK Telephone: 01869 243804 Email: [mailto:sallyjames46@hotmail.com sallyjames46@hotmail.com] Website: Bicester Local History Society


 * Our aims are ‘to acknowledge and encourage the interests of people in the local history of Bicester and the surrounding area’. We pursue this through a series of monthly talks; visits to local places of interest; exhibitions; producing various publications and historical walks.

Bloxham Village History Club Jubilee Hall Brickle Lane Bloxham, Oxfordshire OX15 4NU UK Telephone: 01295 720951 Email: [mailto:ian_myson@hotmail.com ian_myson@hotmail.com] Website: Bloxham Village History Club

Chalgrove Local History Group John Hampden Hall 101 High Street Chalgrove, Oxfordshire OX44 7SS UK Telephone: 01865 890451 Email: [mailto:gilllester@waitrose.com gilllester@waitrose.com] Website: Chalgrove Local History Group


 * Chalgrove Local History Group (CLHG) was started in 1973 to record and preserve the history of the village of Chalgrove in Oxfordshire.

Charlbury Society Memorial Hall Brown's Ln Charlbury Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 3QW UK Telephone: 01608 811022 Email: [mailto:susanmerry2@gmail.com susanmerry2@gmail.com] Website: Charlbury Society


 * Formed in1949, the Charlbury Society grew out of the first Charlbury Historical Exhibition. Its aims are to foster an understanding of the history of Charlbury and encourage interest in the character and appearance of the town.

Chipping Norton History Society Methodist Hall 5 West Street Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 5LH UK Telephone: 01608 641712 Email: [mailto:paulinewatkins58@icloud.com paulinewatkins58@icloud.com] Website: Chipping Norton History Society

Clanfield & Bampton Historical Society Carter Institute Clanfield Bampton, Oxfordshire OX18 2SP UK Telephone: 01367 810245 Email: [mailto:smithequi@aol.com smithequi@aol.com] Website: Clanfield & Bampton Historical Society


 * This Society is the sister society to the Bampton Archive. The Bampton Community Archive was founded in 2002 to record and save the social history of this unique village in Oxfordshire.

Cumnor & District History Society 4 Yarnells Hill Oxford, Oxfordshire OX2 9BD UK Telephone: 01865 724808 Email: [mailto:unclegrimble@btinternet.com unclegrimble@btinternet.com] Website: Cumnor & District History Society


 * To advance the education of the public in the history of Cumnor and District.

Deddington & District History Society Windmill Community Centre Hempton Rd Deddington Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 0QH UK Telephone: 01869 338637 Email: [mailto:thebyasts@btinternet.com thebyasts@btinternet.com] Website: Deddington & District History Society


 * The society is open to all and exists to promote awareness of and interest in the history of Deddington and its neighbourhood.

Didcot & District Archaeological & Historical Society The Northbourne Centre Church Street Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 8DG UK Telephone: 07843 421029 Email: [mailto:dave@zygal.co.uk dave@zygal.co.uk] Website: Didcot & District Archaeological & Historical Society


 * The Society was founded in 1976 to promote awareness of and conservation of archaeology, local history, heritage, and artefacts.

Dorchester Historical Society Village Hall 7 Queen St Dorchester on Thames Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 7HR UK Telephone: 01865 341977 Email: [mailto:gail.thomas8@btopenworld.com gail.thomas8@btopenworld.com] Website: Dorchester Historical Society


 * A society open to anyone interested in history, and in particular local history, offering a range of opportunities to pursue personal interests.

Enstone Local History Society The Thatched Cottage Gagingwell Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 4EF UK Telephone: 01608 678820 Email: [mailto:annefrancis1@gmail.com annefrancis1@gmail.com] Website: Enstone Local History Society

Eynsham History Group St Leonard's Church Hall Thames Street Eynsham, Oxfordshire OX29 4HF UK Telephone: 01865 882400 Email: [mailto:martin.harris321@gmail.com martin.harris321@gmail.com] Website: Eynsham History Group


 * Eynsham History Group (EHG) exists primarily to encourage studies in, and to promote knowledge of, the history of the village and parish of Eynsham.

Finstock Local History Society Village Hall Well Hill Finstock Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 3BU UK Email: [mailto:blog.manager@finstockhistory.co.uk blog.manager@finstockhistory.co.uk] Website: Finstock Local History Society

Hanney History Group Old Hanney Room Hanney War Memorial Hall Brookside East Hanney Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 0JL UK Telephone: 0789 9913281 Email: [mailto:andycwrob@btinternet.com andycwrob@btinternet.com] Website: Hanney History Group

Henley-on-Thames Archaeological & Historical Group King's Arms Barn Kings Road Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2DG UK Telephone: 01491 572271 Email: [mailto:membershipsecretary@henley-on-thamesarchaeologicalandhistoricalgroup.org.uk membershipsecretary@henley-on-thamesarchaeologicalandhistoricalgroup.org.uk] Website: Henley-on-Thames Archaeological & Historical Group


 * The Henley-on-Thames Archaeological & Historical Group, formed in 1976, provides a forum for archaeologists, historians and others with similar local interests. The Group has been active in archaeological excavations and in studying the history of Henley, its surrounding districts and their inhabitants.

Hook Norton Local History Group Baptist Church Hall Netting Street Hook Norton Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 5NJ UK Telephone: 01608 737103 Email: [mailto:scotlandend@btinternet.com scotlandend@btinternet.com] Website: Hook Norton Local History Group


 * The Hook Norton Local History Group exists to research and preserve the history of this village and parish, and to spread knowledge and appreciation of it among the public at large.

Hornton History Group The Dun Cow West End Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 6DA UK Telephone: 01295 670716 Email: [mailto:kawain@zoho.com kawain@zoho.com] Website:Hornton History Group

Iffley History Society 92 Church Way Iffley Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4EF UK Telephone: 01865 777048 Email: [mailto:mpetipa@ntlworld.com mpetipa@ntlworld.com] Website: Iffley History Society


 * Our principal goals are to research in depth the history of Iffley; to promote interest in that, and related, history; to develop an archive of documents and images, and to act as a repository for records and artefacts; and to publish historical material based on the Society’s findings.

Kennington History Society Methodist Church 194 Upper Rd Kennington Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 5LR UK Telephone: 01865 739208 Email: [mailto:georgerossken@aol.com georgerossken@aol.com] Website: Kennington History Society

Kidlington & District Historical Society Lounge Moorside Place The Moors Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 2UZ UK Telephone: 01865 375758 Email: [mailto:kanddhs@yahoo.co.uk kanddhs@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Kidlington & District Historical Society


 * The Society was founded in 1971 with the object of promoting an interest in the history, architecture and archaeology of Kidlington and the surrounding area and to research, compile and publish local historical records.

Lower Windrush Historical Society (formerly Standlake & District Historical Society) Village Hall Rack End Standlake, Oxfordshire OX29 7SB UK Telephone: 01865 300799 Email: [mailto:troberts@uwclub.net troberts@uwclub.net] Website: Lower Windrush Historical Society

Marcham Society All Saints' Church Of England Church 4 All Saints Close Marcham Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX13 6PE UK Telephone: 01865 391275 Email: [mailto:peter.fontaine172@btinternet.com peter.fontaine172@btinternet.com] Website: Marcham Society


 * The Marcham Society was founded in 1994 to encourage community interest in the history, natural history and environment of the village and the local area.

Middleton Cheney History Society Middleton Cheney Library 103 Main Rd Middleton Cheney Banbury, Oxfordshire OX17 2PD UK Telephone: 01295 710278 Email: [mailto:nigel_wadlow@btinternet.com nigel_wadlow@btinternet.com] Website: Middleton Cheney History Society

North Leigh History Group North Leigh Memorial Hall Park Rd North Leigh Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 6SS UK Telephone: 01993 882301 Email: [mailto:power618@btinternet.com power618@btinternet.com] Website: North Leigh History Group

North Oxon Archaeology Group Website: North Oxon Archaeology Group

Otmoor Archealogical & Historical Society Islip Village Hall Church Lane Islip Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 2TA UK Telephone: 01865 379072 Email: [mailto:timothy.hallchurch@oxfordshire.gov.uk timothy.hallchurch@oxfordshire.gov.uk] Website: Otmoor Archealogical & Historical Society

Oxford Historical Society Email: [mailto:elizabeth.wells@bodleian.ox.ac.uk elizabeth.wells@bodleian.ox.ac.uk] Website: Oxford Historical Society


 * The Society exists to publish archives, historical texts, bibliographical tools and studies about Oxford – the City as much as the University, its Halls and Colleges – and the neighbouring villages and towns in pre-1972 Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire Architectural & Historical Society Rewley House 1 Wellington Square Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 2JA UK Email: [mailto:secretary@oahs.org.uk secretary@oahs.org.uk] Website: Oxfordshire Architectural & Historical Society


 * The society is active in promoting the study and conservation of archaeology and buildings.

Oxfordshire Local History Association Email: [mailto:secretary@olha.org.uk secretary@olha.org.uk] Website: Oxfordshire Local History Association


 * The Oxfordshire Local History Association (OLHA) is for everyone interested in the history of our county. We foster and promote the study and publication of local history and act as an umbrella organisation for local history groups, of which there are more than 80 in Oxfordshire. We also campaign to preserve and improve services for Oxfordshire local historians.

Oxfordshire Record Society Email: [mailto:oxfordshirerecordsociety@gmail.com oxfordshirerecordsociety@gmail.com] Website: Oxfordshire Record Society


 * The Society's objectives are to publish transcripts, abstracts, and lists of the primary sources for the history of the County of Oxfordshire and generally to stimulate interest in archives relating to Oxfordshire.

Radley History Club Radley Church of England Primary School Church Road Radley Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3QF UK Telephone: 01235 799374 Email: [mailto:programme@radleyhistoryclub.org.uk programme@radleyhistoryclub.org.uk] Website: Radley History Club


 * The Club has an ever expanding collection of archives – photographs, maps, documents, pamphlets and wills. It has also built up a library of oral history – audio recordings of interviews with older residents telling their memories.

Sibfords Society Village Hall Acre Ditch Burdrop Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 5RN UK Telephone: 01295 780506 Email: [mailto:ddavhug@aol.com ddavhug@aol.com] Website: Sibfords Society


 * The Sibfords Society began in 1993 and meetings are held nine times each year. These include external visits during the summer, and talks of historical interest which are held in the Village Hall. We concentrate mainly on the local area but are occasionally happy to invite speakers from further afield. We have an archive room where we preserve evidence for future generations.

South Oxfordshire Archaeological Group Goring Heath Parish Hall B471 Whitchurch Hill, Oxfordshire RG8 7NY UK Email: [mailto:info@soagarch.org.uk info@soagarch.org.uk] Website: South Oxfordshire Archaeological Group


 * SOAG brings together individuals who are interested in archaeology, to inform, encourage research, stimulate further interest and enthusiasm, and generally act as a forum for archaeology in South Oxfordshire.

Stanford in the Vale & District Local History Society Village Hall 28 Hunters Field Stanford in the Vale Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 8LX UK Telephone: 01367 718480 Email: [mailto:dnax@btinternet.com dnax@btinternet.com] Website: Stanford in the Vale & District Local History Society


 * The aims of The Society are to increase awareness of the history of Stanford in the Vale and surrounding places in the eastern part of the Vale of the White Horse; to encourage local history research and publish the results; to collect, preserve, and record objects of historical interest; to organise local history displays and exhibitions; and to publish newsletters, booklets, and pamphlets.

Stratton Audley Historical Society The Red Lion Church St Stratton Audley Bicester, Oxfordshire OX27 9AG UK Telephone: 01869 277694 Email: [mailto:jeffaud21@btinternet.com jeffaud21@btinternet.com] Website: Stratton Audley Historical Society

Tackley Local History Group Village Hall 21 Medcroft Rd Tackley Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 3AH UK Telephone: 01869 331335 Email: [mailto:suejashton1@btinternet.com suejashton1@btinternet.com] Website: Tackley Local History Group


 * Over the last forty years, members of the Tackley Local History Group have been exploring the past of the village and the people who have lived and worked in and around it from 12,000 BC to the 20th century.

Thame Historical Society The Barns Centre Church Road Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3AJ UK Telephone: 01844 212336 Email: [mailto:csear58229@aol.com csear58229@aol.com] Website: Thame Historical Society


 * Thame Historical Society was formed to bring together people who are interested in all aspects of history, especially Thame and the local area.

Vale of White Horse Industrial Archaeology Group Denchworth Village Hall Barn Close Denchworth Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 0EZ UK Telephone: 01235 204115 Email: [mailto:martin.buckland1@ntlworld.com martin.buckland1@ntlworld.com] Website: Vale of White Horse Industrial Archaeology Group

Wallingford Historical & Archaeological Society St Mary-le-More 22 Castle St Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8DW UK Telephone: 01491 836096 Email: [mailto:jason_king-spooner@msn.com jason_king-spooner@msn.com] Website: Wallingford Historical & Archaeological Society


 * The Society was founded in 1973, initially in response to an appeal by Oxfordshire archaeologists for local people to keep a watching brief on development in the town, there being no statutory protection for archaeological access in those days. A well-attended public meeting decided to broaden the new Society's brief to include history and the desire to link documentary research with archaeological investigation has always been, and continues to be, a fundamental concept in our approach to research.

Weston on the Green Society Memorial Village Hall Mill Lane Weston On The Green, Oxfordshire OX25 3QR UK Telephone: 01869 352006 Email: [mailto:ianebohm@gmail.com ianebohm@gmail.com] Website: Weston on the Green Society


 * We have interest in the past, present and future of our village and the surrounding area. Formed over ten years ago, our constitution sets out our commitment to the history of the buildings, families and social structure of the village and to ensure our continued existence as a small village with a strong community spirit which embraces future evolution of an appropriate scale and character.

Whitchurch & Goring Heath History Society Whitchurch-on-Thames Village Hall Manor Road Whitchurch-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG8 7EU UK Telephone: 984 - 4489 Email: [mailto:suematt@waitrose.com suematt@waitrose.com] Website: Whitchurch & Goring Heath History Society

Witney Museum & Historical Society The Wesley Room The Methodist Church 40 High Street Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 6HG UK Email: [mailto:contact@witneyhistory.org contact@witneyhistory.org] Website: Witney Museum & Historical Society


 * The Museum has recently merged with the Witney & District Historical and Archaeological Society to form what will now be known as the Witney Museum and Historical Society. In forming this new partnership both societies are committed to extending their involvement in the Witney community.

Wolvercote Local History Society Village Hall 1 Wolvercote Green Oxford, Oxfordshire OX2 8AB UK Telephone: 01865 554616 Email: [mailto:ablscholar@yahoo.com ablscholar@yahoo.com] Website: Wolvercote Local History Society


 * The Society was founded in 1987 with the aim and object of bringing together people who are interested in the history of Wolvercote in the City of Oxford and to encourage the study of the history of Wolvercote.

Wootton, Dry Sandford & District History Society Wootton & Dry Sandford Community Centre Lamborough Hill Wootton, Oxfordshire OX13 6DA UK Telephone: 01865 326527 Email: [mailto:jenniferkindell334@btinternet.com jenniferkindell334@btinternet.com] Website: Wootton, Dry Sandford & District History Society


 * The stated object of the Society according to its Constitution is “the furthering and promotion of interest in History with particular reference to LOCAL HISTORY of the area”. This we have attempted thorough the work of individuals and small groups who have researched the documentary history of the area and have recorded landscape features, buildings, and oral reminiscences.

Wychwoods Local History Society Village Hall Shipton Rd Milton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire OX7 6JU UK Telephone: 01993 831759 Email: [mailto:mail@wychwoodshistory.org mail@wychwoodshistory.org] Email #2: [mailto:rogerw@bfocus.co.uk rogerw@bfocus.co.uk] Website: Wychwoods Local History Society


 * On the edge of the former Royal Forest of Wychwood, Shipton under Wychwood, Milton under Wychwood, and Ascott under Wychwood are adjacent villages in the valley of the river Evenlode in West Oxfordshire, on the eastern edge of the Cotswold Hills. Shipton was the mother church for the old ecclesiastical parish which included Shipton, Milton, Lyneham, Langley, Leafield, and Ramsden.