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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

CENSUSLook this term up in the glossary.


FederalLook this term up in the glossary.

Many federal census records are at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Research Outline provides more detailed information about the federal records.

The federal censuses for 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 are on microfilm at the Family History Library. The 1890 census was destroyed, but the 1890 Civil War Union veterans schedule and index are available at the Family History Library.

Statewide indexesLook this term up in the glossary. are available for the 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, and 1870 censuses in book form and for 1790 to 1850 on microfiche. A soundexLook this term up in the glossary. (phonetic) index is available on microfilm for part of the 1880, 1910 and all of the 1900, and 1920 censuses.

Mortality schedulesLook this term up in the glossary. exist for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880. Copies of these are at the Rhode Island State Library, State House, Room 208, Providence, RI 02903.


ColonialLook this term up in the glossary. and StateLook this term up in the glossary.

Colonial censuses (or similar lists of names) exist for 1747 to 1754, 1774, and 1782. These generally name the head of the household and the number of persons in the family. Many of these have been published, such as John R. Bartlett, comp., Census of the Inhabitants of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1774 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1969; FHL book 974.5 X2pb, fiche 6046611).

A census of all males 16 or older was taken in 1777. See Mildred M. Chamberlain, The Rhode Island 1777 Military Census (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1985; FHL book 974.5 M2cm).

State censuses were taken at 10-year intervals from 1865 to 1936. (The 1936 census was actually taken during 1935-36.) The 1895 census is missing. Microfilm copies are at the Family History Library for the complete 1865, 1875, 1885, 1915, 1925, and 1936 censuses. An index to the 1865 census is on FHL films 934776-99. The original 1865, 1875, 1885, and 1905 to 1936 state censuses are at the Rhode Island State Archives. The state censuses provide information similar to that in the federal censuses.


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CHURCH RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Rhode Island were the Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, Protestant Episcopal, and Roman Catholic. Many of the early settlers were members of the Society of Friends.

Some records of the Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist, and Society of Friends churches are published in volumes 7 to 11 of James Arnold, The Vital Records of Rhode Island (see the “Vital Records” section of this outline). A list of churches and the types of records available in 1941 is Guide to the Church Vital Statistics in the State of Rhode Island (Providence: Historical Records Survey, 1941; FHL book 974.5 V2h; film 982351 item 2; fiche 6046673).

The Family History Library has an extensive collection of church records for many denominations in Rhode Island. Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located:


BaptistLook this term up in the glossary.

American Baptist-Samuel Colgate Historical Society
1106 S. Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14620-2532
Telephone: 716-473-1740
Fax: 716-473-1740
An inventory of their holdings is in American Baptist Historical Society, The Records of American Baptists in Rhode Island and Related Organizations (Rochester, N.Y.: American Baptist Historical Society, 1981; FHL book 974.5 Al No. 12; fiche 6093151). Another useful guide is Inventory of Church Archives in Rhode Island: Baptist Bodies (Providence: Historical Records Survey, 1939; FHL book 974.5 K23n; film 982350 item 2).

CongregationalLook this term up in the glossary.

The Congregational Library
14 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108-3704
Telephone: 617-523-0470
Fax: 617-523-0491

EpiscopalLook this term up in the glossary.

Diocese of Connecticut
135 Asylum Ave.
Hartford, CT 06105-2295
Telephone: 860-233-4481
Fax: 860-523-1410

MethodistLook this term up in the glossary.

Boston University Theological School Library
745 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Telephone: 617-353-3034
Fax: 617-353-3061
United Methodist Archives Center
Drew University Library
P.O. Box 127
Madison, N.J. 07940
Telephone: 201-408-3189
Fax: 201-408-3909

Roman CatholicLook this term up in the glossary.

Diocese of Providence
The Chancery Office
34 Fenner Street
Providence, RI 02903-3695
Telephone: 401-278-4500
Fax: 401-278-4548
A helpful history of the Roman Catholic Church is Thomas F. Cullen, The Catholic Church in Rhode Island (North Providence, R.I.: Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, 1936; FHL book 974.5 K2c; film 1598368 item 12).

Society of FriendsLook this term up in the glossary.

Archives of the New England Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends
Rhode Island Historical Society
121 Hope Street
Providence, RI 02906
Telephone: 401-331-8575
Fax: 401-751-7930

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