Providence Rhode Island Family History Center

Center Contacts and Hours
Location Map:  Location Map

Address:  1000 Narragansett Pkwy, Warwick, RI 02888-4713


 * Park in back parking lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Go up the steps and enter through back door. Center is on your left. You may also use the handicap entrance (on your left from the parking lot). However, the door is usually locked, so you need to call us to ask us to let you in.

Phone: 401-463-8150

Language: English

Open Hours:


 * Wednesday: noon-9:00 pm
 * Thursday: 10:00 am-2:00 pm
 * Saturday: 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Please note that if no patrons are in the library one half hour before closing, the center may close early. In severe weather conditions, check below under last minute changes and cancellations to see if we are closed. Also, as we often have only one volunteer on a shift, if that person is ill, we might have to close for that day. So you might want to check for last minute changes and cancellations routinely, especially if you're driving a long distance.

'''LAST MINUTE CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS: Due to the illness of one of the volunteer workers and the unavailability of a substitute, the Family History Center will be closed on Wednesday May 9 until 5:30 pm. It will still be open from 5:30 - 9 pm.'''

Special closures 2018
June 9, November 3, 21, 24.

During the month of August the Center is open ONLY Wednesdays 2-9 and Saturdays 10-2.

Christmas break: the Center closes at 2 pm on Thursday December 20 and reopens at 12 noon on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Collections

 * FamilySearch Catalog: This center may have various films and fiche available through the Family Search Catalog that are not already online at familysearch.org. Family Search is working very hard to put all microfilms online by 2020.


 * Book Collection: -- Canada Drouin Collection, The Famine Immigrants (Ireland), many volumes of Our French-Canadian Ancestors, 3 volumes of the Royal Ancestry Bible, and many books on various countries. Plus how-to-search specific countries.

Databases and Software

 * FHC Portal This center has access to the Family History Center Portal page which gives free access in the center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions. The portal also allows access to collections on Family Search that you cannot access at home.

Hardware and Equipment

 * 4 computers for online research, 3 microfilm readers, microfilm scanner to print or save to flash drive, copy machine/printer.

Staff Research Specialties
Wednesdays 12-5:30 pm Elaine can help in researching Italy and reading microfilm documents, as well as with online research and help using familysearch.org. Fern is also available on some Wednesdays to help in various ways.

Georgette (Tuesdays 10-2), Carol (some Saturdays 10-2), and Wendy (Thursdays 10-2) have volunteered in the family history center for many years and are knowledgeable in researching in many areas.

Barbara (some Saturdays 10-2) can also help with Italian research, and Bob (Wednesdays 5:30-9) can help in various ways.

PLEASE NOTE: Although we are happy to help patrons in any way we can, we are not professional genealogists. We are all volunteers who have some experience in researching, usually just our own lines, and are therefore not always knowledgeable about all aspects of researching. We are there to help you get started on doing your own research, but we cannot do your research for you. Also, if the Center is busy and several patrons need help, we do our best to help each patron, but helping everyone for extended periods of time is impossible. If you are stuck, please do not hesitate to ask a quick question of a staff member who is busy helping another patron, but please do not be offended if we cannot give you undivided attention. Thank you for your understanding.

Resources in the Local Area
John Carter Brown Library, Brown University, 94 George St., Providence, RI 02906, 401 863-2725.

New England Historic Genealogical Society, 99-101 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02163, 617 536-5740

Providence City Archives, 25 Dorrance St., Providence, RI 02903, 401 421-7740

Providence Public Library, 150 Empire St., Providence, RI 02903, 401 455-8000

Providence Public Library, Rhode Island Collection, 225 Washington St., Providence, RI 02903, 401 405-8005

Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, 3 Capitol Hill, Room 101, Providence, RI 02908, 401 222-2811

Rhode island Genealogical Society, Box 211, Hope, RI 02831

Rhode Island Historical Society Library, 121 Hope St., Providence, RI 02906, 401 273-8107

Rhode Island Judicial Records Center, 5 Hill St., Pawtucket, RI 02860, 401 721-2640

Rhode Island State Archives, 337 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02903, 401 222-2353

Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, Arcade Building, Suite 65, Weybosset Street, Providence, RI 02903, 401 751-3490

American-French Genealogical Society, PO Box 830, 78 Earle St., Woonsocket, RI 02895, 401 765-6141

National Archives and Records Administration, Northeast Region (Boston), 380 Trapelo Rd, Waltham, MA 02452, 781 663-0130

Diocese of Providence, 1 Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903, 401 278-4546

Newport Historical Society, 82 Touro St., Newport, RI 02840, 401 846-0813

Supreme Court Law Library, 250 Benefit Street, Providence, RI 02903, 401 222-3275

United States Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841, 401 841-1140

Connecticut State Library, History and Genealogy Unit, 231 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106, 860 757-6500

Links

 * John Carter Brown Library


 * New England Historic Genealogical Society also


 * New England Historic Genealogical Society


 * Providence City Archives


 * Providence Public Library


 * Providence Public Library, RI Collection


 * Rhode Island Department of Health


 * Rhode Island Genealogical Society


 * Rhode Island Historical Society Library


 * Center Rhode Island Judicial Records Center


 * Rhode Island State Archives


 * Rhode Island Black Heritage Society


 * American-French Genealogical Society


 * National Archives - New England Region


 * Newport Historical Society


 * Supreme Court Law Library Supreme Court Judicial Records Center, Naturalization and Court Records


 * Connecticut State Library

Volunteer at the Center
'''This is a learn-as-you-serve center. We would love to have anybody who can give a few hours a week or a few hours a month volunteering in our family history center. You don't have to be especially knowledgeable, just willing. Those you serve with and our patrons will help you learn.'''