Rhode Island, Town Marriages Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes records from 1639 to 1916. It consists of an index only to various town and vital marriages from all the counties: Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, and Washington. The collection includes some church records.

What Can This Collection Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Marriage
 * Names of bride and groom
 * Marriage date
 * Residence
 * Name of officiator

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate date of marriage
 * The place of marriage
 * The name of the intended spouse

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.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor in the marriage index, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the dates and names to find the family in census records
 * Use the dates and names to find the family in church records
 * Use the dates and names to find the family in land records
 * Use the dates and names to find the family in additional town and county records
 * The officiator's name may be a clue to their religion
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname. This is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties

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 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
 * compiled by The Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Projects, Work Projects Administration ; sponsor: state of Rhode Island, Department of State : Record Commissioner, Guide to the public vital statistics records (births, marriages, deaths) in the state of Rhode Island and Providence plantations : containing chronologies of the legislation relating to or affecting the records together with an outline of the civic division of the state Providence, Rhode Island : Historical Records Survey (Rhode Island), 1941

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.