Oxford (OXF)

Jurisdictions

1. The Archdeaconry of Oxford came under the Diocese of Lincoln until 1542 when the Diocese of Oxford was created. The majority of the county came under (A) the Archdeaconry and Consistory Courts of Oxford. The two courts had concurrent jurisdiction and their records are sometimes mixed together so that the two courts should always be searched at the same time.
2. The exceptions are listed below. Research in the City of Oxford before 1814 should always include the probate records of (B) the Chancellor of the University of Oxford. There were also several peculiar courts that recorded probate records, including (C) the Peculiar Court of Banbury and the Prebendal Court of Langford, (D) the Peculiar Court of Dorchester, and (E) the Manorial Court of Sibford.

Decision Table

For those who lived in (A) the Archdeaconry and Consistory of Oxford, search:

1. Archdeaconry and Consistory Courts of Oxford
2. Pre-1542, Consistory of Lincoln (Lincoln)
3. Prerogative Court of Canterbury (London: PCC)
4. Court of Arches, 1660- (London: Arches)
5. Court of Delegates, 1636- (London: Delegates)

For those who were associated with the University of Oxford or even lived in the City of Oxford, search in addition to (A) above:

1. The Court of the Chancellor of the University of Oxford (B)

For those who lived in (C) the Peculiar of Banbury, the Prebendal of Langford, or any of the peculiar courts of Lincoln, search:

1. the respective court
2. Dean and Chapter of Lincoln (Lincoln for further details)
3. Do all of (A) above.

For those who lived in (D) the Peculiar of Dorchester, search:

1. Peculiar Court of Dorchester
2. Do all of (A) above.

For those who were tenants of (E) the Manor of Sibford, search:

1. Manor Court of Sibford
2. Do all of (A) above.

For those who lived anywhere in the county between 1653-1660, search:

1. Prerogative Court of Canterbury (London: PCC)

For those who lived anywhere in the county between 1812-1857, regardless of what is found in the probate records of any of the above courts, consider searching also the estate duty registers. (London: Estate Duty)

Printed Indexes for the Archdeaconry and Consistory Court of Oxford

(The indexes described below in volumes 93, 94 and 109 are now online and can be searched FindMyPast)

1. 1516-1732, All Probates (FHL 942 B4b) & (BYU CS 434 .B7) volumes 93-94
   These volumes are part of the Index Library series (BRS). Volume 93 covers testators A-K and volume 94 is L-Z. The registered copy wills were indexed from volumes 90-95 for the Consistory and volumes 178-191, 193-210 for the Archdeaconry. A sample entry like 90.2 means the registered copy will is located in volume 90 of the Consistory series on folio 2.
2. 1733-1857, All Probates (FHL 942 B4b) & (BYU CS 434 .B7) volume 109
   This continuation of the Index Library series (BRS) completes the index to both courts, plus it indexes the peculiar courts for 1547-1856. It does not index the probate records of the Chancellor of the University of Oxford. The original wills are in boxes 228-248 for the Consistory and boxes 249-288 for the Archdeaconry. A sample entry like 249/3/41 indicates an original will for the Archdeaconry found in box 249, bundle 3, item 41. The references to registered copy wills follow the pattern of the sample given above for BRS volumes 93-94. The registered wills for 1733-1857 are in volumes 95-105 for the Consistory and 210-227 for the Archdeaconry. Note the following reference to an every name index for part of this same time period.
3. 1749-1800, Every Name (FHL 942.57 P2e) volumes 1-9
   The Eureka Partnership located in Aylesbury in Buckingham has published an index to every name in the Consistory wills, 1762-1800, and the Archdeaconry wills, 1749-1800. They appear to be indexes to the Registered Copy Wills only. The coverage by court, time period and volume is as follows:
• Consistory Court, 1762-1773, volume 5
• Consistory Court, 1774-1784, volume 4
• Consistory Court, 1785-1800, volume 2
• Archdeaconry Court, 1749-1755, volume 9
• Archdeaconry Court, 1756-1760, volume 8
• Archdeaconry Court, 1761-1766, volume 7
• Archdeaconry Court, 1767-1776, volume 6
• Archdeaconry Court, 1777-1789, volume 3
• Archdeaconry Court, 1790-1800, volume 1

Microfilmed Probate Records for 
the Archdeaconry & Consistory Courts of Oxford

The volumes of Registered Copy Wills and Administration Act Books have all been filmed. Unfortunately, the Original Wills and Administration Bonds were only filmed for 1801-1857. Put 95053 in the Film/Fiche box of the main menu of the FHL catalog at FamilySearch to see all of the film numbers for this collection. The registered wills for the Archdeaconry are on films 95053-95090, and for the Consistory 95091-95099. There are gaps in the Archdeaconry series for 1624-1626, 1629-1633, 1660-1671 and 1676-1677; and for the Consistory the gaps are 1675-1676 and 1711-1723. The microfilms of original wills for the Archdeaconry are 95117-95134, and for the Consistory 95112-95116. The original wills were filmed before the archival classification by box and bundle; but they are arranged on film in chronological and alphabetic sequences. It will be necessary to contact the Oxford Record Office to fill in the gaps. The address can be found in the county section of GENUKI under "Archives."

Printed Index for the Court of the Chancellor of the University of Oxford

• 1436-1814, All Probates (FHL 942.57/O1 P2g and available online)
  This index was compiled by John Griffiths and published in 1862.

Microfilmed Probate Records 
for the Court of the Chancellor of the University of Oxford

All of the volumes for this court have been microfilmed. The initial call number for this series of records is 230631. However, it appears that the wills before 1555 may have been removed before the microfilming took place. The 2 volumes for Accounts are B.8 and B.9 and they will be found on FHL film 230634.

NOTE: Where an initial film number is given, use either version of the FHL catalog to see all of the films in that collection. The previous version at FamilySearch may be a little easier to use for that purpose.

Peculiar Courts in Oxford

The records for peculiar courts in both of the counties of Oxford and Buckingham tended to be consolidated with the records of the Peculiar Court of Banbury in Oxford and the Prebendal Court of Aylesbury in Buckingham, which see. It is wise to search the records of both Banbury and Aylesbury when dealing with peculiar jurisdictions. Also see the Miscellaneous Section below for some non-testamentary business of the Court of Aylesbury involving places in Oxford.

Printed Index for the Peculiar Courts in Oxford

1547-1856, All Probates (FHL 942 B4b) & (BYU CS 434 .B7) volume 109 This is the same volume as listed under item 2 above for the Archdeaconry and Consistory courts. This master index uses the following references to distinguish the peculiar courts: Banbury is listed as Pec. 1-2, 11-19, 21, or 32-61; Dorchester is Pec. 65-73; Langford is Pec. 78; and Sibford is Pec. 23-24, 82. Thus a reference like PEC. 11.1 indicates volume 11 of the registered wills for Banbury. The same numbers followed by slashes rather than periods indicate original or filed wills.

Other Printed Indexes for the Peculiar Court of Banbury

• 1542-1858, All Probates (FHL 942.57 B4o) volume 40
  This volume was edited by Jeremy Gibson and published by the Oxfordshire Record Society. It is based on the manuscript calendars and includes Kings Sutton and surrounding hamlets in Northampton. See also the abstracts, 1591-1620, listed in the Miscellaneous Section.
• 1736-1857, Every Name Index (FHL 942.57 P2pe) volumes 1-2
  The Eureka Partnership published an index to names listed in documents for places belonging to the Peculiars of Cropredy and Banbury, including the parish of Kings Sutton in Northampton. Volume 1 covers 1736-1785 and volume 2 is 1786-1857. Also included is an index to the records of the Manorial Court of Sibford, 1733-1829. It is not clear if the Original Wills were indexed.
• 1736-1857, Every Name Index (FHL 942.57 P2p)
  Another volume published by the Eureka Partnership indexes the records listed under Banbury (Pec. 11-19) for the Peculiar of Thame. This index also includes the parish of Towersey in Buckingham. This index appears to be to Registered Copy Wills only.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Peculiar Court of Banbury

All of the probate records for Banbury have been microfilmed. The initial film number for this collection is 95103. Some of the Registered Copy Wills for Banbury (PEC. 1-2 and 11-19) on FHL/BYU films 95103-95106 include other peculiars both in Oxford and neighboring counties. Volume 1 (also referred to as volume H and "Blunt") on film 95103, item 2, covers 1574-1596 and includes Cropredy on folios 1-56, plus Bibury in Gloucester. Shortly after folios 1-44 for Banbury come 5 wills for Bibury, 1589-1592, and one for Langford in 1587.

NOTE: Where an initial film number is given, use either version of the FHL catalog to see all of the films in that collection. The previous version at FamilySearch may be a little easier to use for that purpose.

Volume 2 (also referred to as volume I and "Wode") on film 95103, item 3, covers 1589-1733 and includes Cropredy, Dorchester, Langford, and Thame, plus Bierton and Monks Risborough in Buckingham, Farringdon in Berkshire, and Bibury in Gloucester. The film begins with folios 1-5 for Banbury, 1589-1592, followed by folios 5-8 for Dorchester and Farringdon, 1717-1718. Folios 35-45 are for Cropredy, 1589-1592. Folios 54-57 are the same 5 wills mentioned in item 2 above for Bibury, but this set is more readable.

Volume 19 or R on film 95106, item 2 covers 1851-1858 and includes Thame, plus Aylesbury, Bierton, and Buckingham in the county by the same name. FHL/BYU film 95196 is the Administration Act Book for Banbury (Pec. 21). It covers 1674-1856 and includes entries for Thame, plus Aylesbury, Bierton, Buckingham, and Monks Risborough in Buckingham, and Leighton Buzzard in Bedford.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Peculiar Court of Dorchester

All of the probate records for Dorchester have been microfilmed. The original or filed wills and administrations are on films 173642-173654 and 95176

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Peculiar Court of Langford

All of the probate records for Langford have been microfilmed. The original wills and administrations are on films 173640-173641.

Microfilmed Probate Records for the Manorial Court of Sibford

This court had jurisdiction over two of the hamlets of the parish of Swalcliffe: Sibford Ferris and Sibford Gower. All of records mentioned by Anthony J. Camp have been microfilmed. The original wills are on films 173632 and 95185. The registered copy wills appear as items 1-2 on both 95108 and 95194. Joyce Hoad discovered more wills for this court in the British Library. Fifteen of these wills are not listed in the master index in BRS 109. For Hoad's index as well as instructions on how to locate the wills in the British Library, see her article, "Wills from the Manorial Court of Sibford Gower," in the Oxfordshire Family Historian, volume 2, no. 8(Summer 1982):267-9. (FHL 942.57 B2ox)

Miscellaneous Section

1. 1550-1590, Inventories (FHL 942.57 B4o) & (BYU DA 670 .09 A3) volume 44
   The inventories from all of the courts in Oxford were published for this time period. An index is also now online. See the entry under "Probate Records" for Oxfordshire on GENUKI to access it.
2. For immigration studies, the printed index in BRS 109 has two entries concerning North America: a will proven in 1742 for William Hatton of the City of Oxford, formerly of South Carolina, and an administration bond in 1781 for William Smewing, seaman, whose ship was at Rhode Island. Also see the entry below in item 6.
3. 1542-1616, Depositions (FHL 942.57 K28h)
   Jack Howard-Drake is in the process of publishing a guide to the depositions of church courts in Oxford. Check his subject index under "Testamentary Cases." So far the FHL has volume 1 for 1542-1550, volume 3 for 1581-1586, volume 5 for 1603-1606 and volume 6 for 1609-1616. Volume 1 is also at BYU under KD 7228 .H69x 1991.
4. 1393-1510, Oxford Wills in the PCC (FHL 942.57 B4o) volume 39
   The Oxfordshire Record Society published 119 wills for this county.
5. 1750-1800, Index to Oxford Testators in the PCC (FHL 942.57 B2ox)
   Jeremy Gibson published this index in volumes 1, 3-4 and 6 of the Oxfordshire Family Historian. Also in volume 1 is his index to Oxford and Berkshire wills in the PCC for 1801.
6. 1591-1620, Abstracts of Banbury Wills/Administrations (FHL 942.57/B2 B4b) volumes 13-14
   Jeremy Gibson edited volume 13 and Gibson and E.R.C. Brinkworth edited volume 14 for the Oxfordshire Record Society. The appendix is an index to Banbury wills in the PCC, 1621-1650. The wills proven in 1622 for Mary Showell, widow of Banbury, and her son Isaiah indicate a connection with Virginia.
7. Non-Testamentary Business from the Court of Aylesbury (FHL/BYU film 173658)
   Item 1 of this film is an index to cases from church courts including all of the peculiars in Oxford. The cases to which the index refers should be on item 2. If not, the index itself gives quite a bit of information about those presented for not-attendance at church, excommunications, and those accused of being recusants. There is also poor law information concerning several parishes in these courts. Item 2 of the film includes parish register transcripts for Newington in Oxford, 1728-1729, plus marriage bonds for Dorchester, 1626-1676, and Farringdon, 1727-1739. The film closes with marriage licenses for Banbury and Thame, 1617-1735. Several entries show connections with the surrounding counties.
8. A portion of the transcribed wills for Oxfordshire with an every name index is now onine at the Oxfordshire Family History Society.