Difficulties with Oxfordshire records and the name Smith!

[Merry]

I am struggling with my Smiths from Burford, Oxfordshire going backwards from the early 1700s. I have the PRs for Burford on fiche and laboriously extracted all the Smith records - about 1,100 of them.

I don't know how to be confident with the records when I can't look at anything from the surrounding parishes without spending mega-bucks on endless CDs or moving to Oxford. Any ideas? Or is it a hopeless case?

I know a lot about my 5xg-grandfather, but can't be sure I have the right baptism for him. If the one I've chosen is right I may be in possession of the will of his great-grandfather, from which I can go back one more generation, making my furthest back ancestor on my tree a Smith, which seems a little ironic!

[kiterunner]

Have you looked at Oxfordshire FHS's Search Service, Merry?

http://searches.oxfordshirefhs.org.uk/

[Merry]

No, I hadn't seen that before, Kate. It might well come in useful.

I need to go through everything carefully before I approach them!

Please ask for a quote for popular names.

I should think Smith is a popular name!!!!!!!!

[ElizabethHerts]

Remember to look for transcriptions here, Merry.

http://wills.oxfordshirefhs.org.uk/pindex.html?S,S

[Asa]

Sorry, no suggestions but I can sympathise. I think Oxfordshire is one of the hardest or most expensive to do online. Mine are almost all South Oxfordshire so I have no end drifting in and out to Berks and Bucks. But Smith....pfft

[Merry]

Thanks for your encouragement Asa!

Elizabeth, yes I've used that site, but nothing to help me this time as yet.....

[Sussex Maid]

I have a copy of the CD with the Witney Registration District Vol 1 transcripts (Cogges from 1653, Eynsham from 1653, Witney St Mary from 1551 and Witney Quaker from 1667) if that's any help.

[Merry]

Oooh, I have Witney Quakers already, but there are probably a couple (or four or five ) of specific entries in the C of E Witney records I would be very interested in. Would you mind if I pm you?

[Sussex Maid]

Please do

[Rick]

I've got the Shipton-under-Wychwood CD too if that helps. Also access to the wills on FMP. Feel free to PM me if of any use.

I'm trying to unravel my Harris family in the area - not quite as bad as Smith, but still a challenge. I wish the CDs were not so expensive as I need Wilcote and Ascott-under-Wychwood too, but I understand OxFHS have now completed digitising their holdings and are deciding how to make them available. Good news if they partner with Ancestry or FMP or more expense if not !!