Do you have Oxford ancestry? If you do, then you might be interested in taking a tour through your Oxford homeland to do a little Oxford ancestry research and to explore a region and culture that combines romance, modernity, culture, great diningeven fun.  Yes.  You can have fun in stately Oxford, England.surprise! 

When Looking for Oxford Ancestry Information, You Still Have to Eat!
When on a tour to find out more about your Oxford ancestry you are sure to want a hearty English bite or two.  In Oxford, you are certainly not limited to English fare exclusively.  Delicious Italian and French dining venues are not lacking in this very-English region. However, putting the French and Italian palatable temptations aside, I did a little search for the soul food of Oxford and came across a food description that caught my eye.  If your Oxford ancestry was meeting you in Oxford, I think they might approve! The food is served within the doors and on the patio of the Sir Giles Café which sounds just English enough for King Arthur.   According to its online description¹ the Sir Giles Cafe serves up delicious and huge servings of greasy spoon fare, such as eggs, sausage, bacon, chips, and the like for very cheap prices.  The description also states that Sir Giles also serves a wide variety of toasted sandwiches, which are all apparently worth sampling at least once.  This Sir Giles venue might be the perfect respite after a long days work on your Oxford ancestry information.

For nearby entertainment or cultural sites, you may also leave the Sir Giles and find the Sheldonian theatre, The Oxford Story or the Ashmolean Museum nearby. ²

A Typical Accomodation Facility for Your Oxford Ancestry Vacation
Years ago, I moved to Guatemala to teach in an American school there.  I remember that I was surprised when the native Guatemalans and even some of the non-natives would use the word tipico/tipica to describe objects that were native to the Guatemalan culture.  The English translation of that word would be typical which to mein our own modern day contextseems to be synonymous with the words boring or commonplace. However, I soon began to appreciate the meaning that the word had adquired in the beautiful country of Guatemala and I realized that for me the cosas tipicas (typical things) of Guatemala were anything but ordinary.  So, for your Oxford ancestry trip, I wanted to recommend an accommodation option that would be typical of the type of spirit or environment that Oxford best embodies.  So, when I quickly found the 16^th century Rectory Farm, I didnt bother to look any farther.  (Your Oxford ancestry might also approve of this choice!) Of course, you could stay at any number of English establishments, but for your Oxford ancestry research vacation, you could take advantage of a 16^th century dwelling that would take you comfortably back to romantic concepts of Stratford-upon-Avon type architecture and real English gardens. According to the Rectory website, the Rectory Farm even says that a warm welcome awaits you along with a pot of tea and homemade shortbread to refresh you after your journey.³

Art in Action: An Experiment that has Become Tradition
When in Oxford you wont want to spend every free moment that you have with your Oxford ancestry research.  Take several hours or several days to make your experience truly unique and memorable.  Just get online and look for an event or activity that stirs your interest.  I did, and I have one to recommend for you on your Oxford ancestry vacation:

When in Oxford, there are many museums you can visit, but what if you could visit an art location and see skilled, creative artists at work? That indeed is the ingenious idea behind the Art in Action⁴ exhibition which isnt available on a daily basis so you have to plan your trip carefully for this interesting experience.

¹ http://www.10best.com/Oxford/Restaurants/Lunch/index.html?businessID=28460
² http://www.10best.com/Oxford/Restaurants/Lunch/index.html?businessID=28460&tab=nearby
³ http://www.oxtowns.co.uk/rectoryfarm/index.html
⁴ http://www.artinaction.org.uk/
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Marci Crane is a web content specialist for Innuity.  For more information about Oxford ancestry and professional genealogical services, please feel free to learn more about Price & Associates.