R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Rhode Island
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
     Computer Networks And Bulletin Boards
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Taxation
Town Records
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

PERIODICALSLook this term up in the glossary.

The major periodicals and magazines helpful for Rhode Island research are:

The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. 1847-. Published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, 101 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116. (FHL book 974 B2ne; compact disc 33 pt. 1-9; some volumes are on film.) There are cumulative indexes to 1994 in book form and on compact disc.

Rhode Island Genealogical Register. 1978-. Published by the Rhode Island Families Association, P.O. Box 585, East Princeton, MA 01517. (FHL book 974.5 D2ri.)

Rhode Island History. 1942-. Published by the Rhode Island Historical Society, 110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI 02906. (FHL book 974.5 H25ri.)

Rhode Island Roots. 1973-. Published by the Rhode Island Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 433, Greenville, RI 02828. (FHL book 974.5 D25r.)


Return to top of page


PROBATE RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

ProbateLook this term up in the glossary. matters were recorded by town councils until each town established a probate courtLook this term up in the glossary.. Many of the published town records include references to willsLook this term up in the glossary. and estateLook this term up in the glossary. matters.

An excellent index to a large number of Rhode Island wills to about 1850 is Robert S. Wakefield, Index to Wills in Rhode Island Genealogical Register, Volumes 1 through 4 (Warwick, R.I.: Plymouth Colony Research Group, 1982; FHL book 974.5 D2ri index). The Rhode Island Genealogical Register (see the “Periodicals” section of this outline) continues to publish abstracts of wills.

The probate records of Providence, 1670 to 1730, have been published (see the “Town Records” section of this outline). Also see Frank Calef's index to Providence probate records of 1663 to 1775 (FHL film 022385).

The general council, also known as the Council of Probate, kept minutes and documents dealing with probate appeals for the years 1667 to 1813 (FHL films 954936-37).

You can obtain copies of the original court records by contacting the town clerk. Addresses of the town clerks are listed in Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research (see the “For Further Reading” section of this outline). The Family History Library has microfilm copies of many of these records. They are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under RHODE ISLAND, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - PROBATE RECORDS. From the municipal courts of Providence, for example, the library has 39 films of probate proceedings (1798-1920), will books (1678-1899), and dockets and indexes (1646-1921).


Return to top of page


TAXATIONLook this term up in the glossary.

Some tax lists are in the town records, and many are at the Rhode Island State Archives.


Return to top of page


TOWN RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

In New England, the town clerk is the local record keeper. The earliest records are called proprietors'Look this term up in the glossary. records. Town records generally begin with the founding of a town and are kept to the present.

Town records may contain records of births, marriages, burials, cemeteries, appointmentsLook this term up in the glossary., earmarksLook this term up in the glossary., estraysLook this term up in the glossary. (records of stray animals), freemen'sLook this term up in the glossary. oaths (men becoming eligible to vote), land records, mortgagesLook this term up in the glossary., name changes, care of the poor, school records, surveys, tax lists, town meeting minutesLook this term up in the glossary., voter registrationsLook this term up in the glossary., and “warnings outLook this term up in the glossary.” (of town).

The Family History Library has microfilms of town council and town meeting records for most Rhode Island towns. These generally date from the settlement of the town to the 1880s. Some records have been transcribed and published, such as The Early Records of the Town of Providence, 21 vols. (Providence: Snow and Farnham, City Printers, 1892-1915; FHL book 974.52 N2p; on 8 films beginning with film 418109).

Related sources are:

Certificates for Deputies and Freemen of Rhode Island Towns, 1663 to 1778 (FHL films 953922-24) and an index (FHL films 934806 item 2 and 934807-8) are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under RHODE ISLAND - OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES.

Pierce, Ebenezer Weaver. Civil, Military and Professional Lists of Plymouth and Rhode Island Colonies: Comprising Colonial, County, and Town Officers, Clergymen, Physicians and Lawyers. . . . 1881. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968. (FHL book 974 M2p; film 897454; fiche 6046832.)

Smith, Joseph Jencks. Civil and Military Lists of Rhode Island. 2 vols. Providence: Preston and Rounds, 1901. (FHL book 974.5 N2s; films 925437-38; fiche 6046905.)

Return to top of page

Previous Document   Next Document

©1998, 2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. No part of this document may be reprinted, posted on-line, or reproduced in any form for any purpose without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. FamilySearch is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
[FamilySearchTM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/9/2001]