BERKSHIRE-L Archives

From: "Paul Gaskell" <>
Subject: Re: 1851 Census lookup, please
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001 22:01:56 +0100
References: <200107012357.131o@beames.demon.co.uk>

Dave Beames wrote ........

> I see that your query about Kendrick has already been sorted, but no-one
> has yet answered the more general question.
>
> The Oxon 1851 census is available on fiche in twelve separate sections,
> roughly corresponding to the separate Unions (though some sections contain
> more than one Union). Each section tends to consist of 5-7 fiches.
> For each section there is an index in the form of a booklet -- these
> booklets may be purchased separately if required.
> The index is very basic, consisting only of surnames (nothing else at all)
> with lists of the folio numbers where they may be found.
>
> As for ease or otherwise of lookups, it depends on who is doing it :-)
> Most of us, I suspect, only possess a few of the twelve sections, so any
> lookup will be at best partial. Also, as you may imagine, it is a fairly
> laborious process, section by section, to note all the folio numbers for
> all likely spellings of a name, then to look them up in the fiches, write
> them down, type them into an email ....
> However, certain officials of the OFHS have access to the whole thing on
> computer, and a search can be done for a small fee :-)))



Dave

In order to clarify the position regarding census look ups and the like in
Oxfordshire, I would like to make a few general points :-

1. this society has an information service for members and non-members known
as the "search services". This involves Brian Wilsden searching a computer
database of baptism, marriage, burial, monumental inscription and census
records, and supplying print-outs for a nominal charge. In some cases, these
records are "incomplete". For example, the Oxfordshire Baptism Index is an
ongoing project, so the database is being added to all of the time, whereas
the Oxfordshire Marriage Index 1538-1837 is "complete", unless any
previously undiscovered parish registers come to light.

2. many of the records within the search services can be purchase outright
by members and non-members alike, such as the Oxfordshire Marriage Index.
But on the other hand, some records such as the North Berkshire Marriage
Index 1538-1851 can only be accessed at the moment by asking for a search.

3. currently, OFHS only makes this material available in two formats, these
being via a search or for purchase on microfiche. There has been a
suggestion that we should start making transcribed material available on CD,
and the executive committee are considering this proposal at the moment.

4. the search service database is available for consultation by the public
at certain libraries in Oxfordshire, and also at the Holford Centre. At the
latter venue, we will show a researcher how to use the database, and the
charge them 10p per A4 page for printing to cover the society's costs.
Obviously, the various libraries set their own printing charges.

5. a list of libraries holding the search services will be publicised via
this list in a day or so. I don't immediately have this information to hand,
and so will need to clarify the position. I am currently in the process of
arranging for a PC at Witney library to have the search services installed,
and it is possible that other libraries in the county will have the search
services on computer in the foreseeable future.

6. various society officers have access to the search services on a day to
day basis for society operational reasons, and most of these individuals
contribute to this list - basically Hugh Kearsey, Brian Wilsden, Howard
Fuller and myself. In order to give out of county and overseas researchers
some assistance, as the Holford Centre and county libraries are probably out
of reach, we are happy to do "look ups" via this list on a goodwill basis.
But the database in use does not permit us to copy and paste into an e-mail,
so sadly we have to go through much of the laborious process that you refer
to !

As an aside, I would add that the look ups done by other list members are
invaluable. This is because of the local knowledge factor. Additionally,
look ups done by list members using microfiche transcriptions will often
provide far more detail than the search services database, which is
essentially an index or finding aid.

Details of the search services and microfiche sales can be found on the
society's website. As always, if anyone has any queries at all about the
society's activities and services, please ask and I'll do my best to help. I
hope this clarifies the position.

Paul Gaskell
Publicity Officer
Oxfordshire Family History Society
E mail ;
Society meetings at Kidlington, usually on the fourth Monday of the month
Computer Group meets in Oxford on the first Monday of alternate months
Research centre at Stanton St John open on an "ad hoc" basis
Open Day at Didcot on Saturday 6 October 2001
For microfiche, books, search services and much more
Further details ; www.ofhs.org.uk

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• Re: 1851 Census lookup, please by "Paul Gaskell" <>