Providence Rhode Island Family History Center

'Providence RI Family History Center serves the Rhode Island area. Many also use the Center from Massachusetts and Connecticut. The Family History Center has over 4,000 microfilms as well as microfiche from many countries. 'Our volunteers can help both LDS members and the general public in researching their family histories.

Center Contacts and Hours
Location &amp; Map:

1000 Narragansett Parkway, Warwick, RI

'''Park in back of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building near the Handicap ramp. Walk up ramp and enter side door. Family History Center is the first door on the right. '''

(Link to map using Google maps) [style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left View Larger Map]

Phone: 401 463-8150

E-mail:  RI_Providence@ldsmail.net

Hours: 

Tuesday: 10am-2pm 

Wednesday: 10am-2pm, 6:30-9pm

Friday: 10am-2pm

Saturday: 10am-2pm

Please note that if no patrons are in the library one half hour before closing, the center may close early.

Special closures: 

2014: May 18-19, 25-26, June 9, July 3-4, August - open only Wednesdays and Saturdays, September 1, October 6-8, November 2-3, 9-10, November 21-24, December 19 - January 2, 2015.

Collections

 * Family History Library Catalog: This center has the ability to order any of the films and fiche available through the Family History Library Catalog.
 * 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.

Hardware and Equipment

 * 6 microfilm readers, 2 microfiche readers, microfilm scanner to print or save to flash drive; and, copy machine/printer, 4 computers for online research.

Staff Research Specialties
Wednesdays, 10-2pm: Elaine can help in researching Italy and reading microfilm documents, as well as online research.

Wednesdays 10-2pm and Fridays, 10-2pm: Verna has 20+ years in helping people do research at the family history center. She has lived in Rhode Island all her life and can point people in the right direction in researching their Rhode Island and New England ancestors.

Georgette (Tues 10-2), Wendy B., and Carol (Sat. 10-2) have volunteered in the family history center for many years and are knowledgeable in researching many countries.

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 Archivew, 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, http://www.brown.edu

New England Historic Genealogical Society, http://www.americanancestors.org, http://www.newenglandancestors.org

Providence City Archives, http://www.providenceri.com

Providence Public Library, http://www.provlib.org

Providence Public Library, RI Collection, http://www.provlib.org

Rhode Island Department of Health, http://www.health.ri.gov/records

Rhode Island Genealogical Society, http://www.rigensoc.org

Rhode Island Historical Society Library, http://www.rihs.org/libraryhome.htm

Rhode Island Judicial Records Center, http://www.courts,ri.gov/JudicialRecordsCenter

Rhode Island State Archives, http//sos.ri.gov/archives

Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, http://www.providenceri.com/RI_BlackHeritage

American-French Genealogical Society, http://www.afgs.org

National Archives - New England Region, http://www.archives,gov/northeast/waltham/waltham.html

Newport Historical Society, http://www.newporthistorical.org/

Supreme Court Law Library, http://www.courts.state.ri.us/library/defaultlibrary.htm

Supreme Court Judicial Records Center, Naturalization and Court Records, see Law Library above

Connecticut State Library, http://www.cslib.org

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 knowlegeable, just willing. Those you serve with and our patrons will help you learn.'