Rhode Island Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources

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Welcome to the Rhode Island family history research page. Here you'll find record collection links, history, and genealogy resources to help you trace your Rhode Island ancestors.

Rhode Island started out as a place where people sought religious freedom from Puritanical rule in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Exiles from there, including Clergyman Roger Williams who founded Providence, came to Rhode Island seeking freedom of action and conscience. In fact, Pocasset, which is now Portsmouth, and Newport were founded in 1638 and 1639 by exiled religious men.

Searching for Rhode Island Genealogy Data - Tiny and yet full of history, the State of Rhode Island makes an abundance of genealogical material available. From websites to local organizations, it will be easy to track down records or details about your Native American, Colonial, Revolutionary War, and contemporary relations through the materials you will find online or in the state.

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Bristol County, Kent County, Newport County, Providence County, Washington County

Rhode Island Facts

Rhode Island entered the union as the 13th state on May 29, 1790. It has 5 Counties. The capital is Providence and the official state website is www.ri.gov/.

Rhode Island is bordered by Connecticut (west) and Massachusetts (north and east). It has a land area of 1,045 square miles making it the smallest state. The 2010 population was 1,051,302 and the largest cities are Providence (Capital), 178,042; Warwick, 82,672; Cranston, 80,387; Pawtucket, 71,148; East Providence, 47,037; Woonsocket, 41,186; Newport, 24,672; Central Falls, 19,376.

Rhode Island was was either named for the Isle of Rhodes (in the Mediterranean Sea) or for its red clay (the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block may have named it "Rood Eylandt" meaning Red Island, in Dutch). The nickname is " The Ocean State, Little Rhody ". The State Motto is " Hope " .

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Rhode Island Genealogy Tips & Hints

Beginning a Search for Rhode Island Genealogy Information - As you start looking for Rhode Island genealogy data, you will be able to get a lot of materials before you even leave home. This is because the so many of the state’s organizations have already digitized information of interest to those searching for Rhode Island genealogy information. It is important to remember, however, that there may also be a need to make a few trips to physical locations as well.

Before getting too involved in the research for Rhode Island genealogy projects you may want to familiarize yourself with the online tools that can spare you from making unnecessary trips. Consider that you may discover in a search for Rhode Island genealogy data that you can use the Internet to request copies of documents that you thought you had to travel to retrieve!

It is best to begin with the most frequently digitized items used for Rhode Island genealogy, and these are the public records described in the following categories:

  • Local Records – traditionally, a state research project begins with a visit to a county clerk’s office or website. Then you will probably need to visit local genealogical societies, small local libraries, historical societies, and school or college libraries for Rhode Island genealogy information. These are items that are usually offline and viewable by appointment or special arrangement.
  • Vital Records – these describe the birth, marriage, divorce and death records from county, state, and national archives. They can also include immigration and naturalization details, cemetery or obituary information, census records, newspaper items, military records, and passenger lists and records as well. These tend to be available as online or offline resources for Rhode Island genealogy.
  • State Records – this group includes probate information, private manuscripts, surname lists, newspapers, state census information, marriage details, military or veterans information, land records, maps, estate information, genealogical folders, death records, deeds, birth certificates, cemetery information and more. These are available as online and offline resources for Rhode Island genealogy.

Important Tools for Rhode Island Genealogy - All researchers learn about their best resources for Rhode Island genealogy work, and below are some of the finest for Rhode Island genealogy that we have found:

  • RI Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, Room 101, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5097; Website: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/rhode_island.htm. This is the place for birth, death, marriage and divorce records, and where you can get copies via a written request or even online.

Additional state and local records can be found at the:

  • State Archives of Rhode Island, This website contains links to all of their records programs, and is found at: http://sos.ri.gov/archives/

Also, consider using the resources available through the comprehensive Rhode Island Genealogical Society’s website at: http://www.rigensoc.org/rigenresources.htm.

The links below will give you access to a lot of state-specific data essential those in search of facts for Rhode Island genealogy projects.

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