Rhode Island Town Births Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes records from 1639 to 1932. It consists of an index to various town and vital births from all the counties: Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, and Washington.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Child's name
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Parent's name

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * The approximate date of birth
 * The place of birth
 * The names of the child's parents

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Rhode Island.
 * Rhode Island Guided Research
 * Rhode Island Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Rhode Island Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Cranston, Birth, marriage, and death records: 1850-1915
 * Johnston, Births and marriages, 1845-1898
 * Portsmouth (Daughters of the American Revolution), Births and deaths from Newport and Portsmouth
 * Warwick, Births (1883-1901), marriages (1883-1902), deaths (1908-1948), and index to deaths (1850-1940)

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Rhode Island Births and Christenings, 1600-1914
 * Rhode Island, State Births Index, 1819, 1852-1900
 * Rhode Island, Vital records, 1846-1898, 1901-1953

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * James N. Arnold, Vital record of Rhode Island, 1636-1850 : first series: births, marriages, and deaths; a family register for the people, 21 volumes. Providence, Rhode Island : Narragansett Historical, 1891-1912

Citing this Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.