This page of our website provides links to Rhode Island genealogy databases and historical narratives about Rhode Island. These genealogical records may include, vital records (birth, marriage and divorce, death), ethnic records (Native American), court records (land, probate and wills, criminal and civil), church records (Bibles, baptisms, marriages, burials and histories), cemeteries, census records, military records directories and yearbooks.
Rhode Island Biographies
Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy
Biographies from this series. This is a current work in progress. Volumes 1-2 provide the history of Rhode Island state, while the third and fourth volumes provide biographies of Rhode Island citizens at the time the book was published (1932.)
Rhode Island Cemeteries
- Rhode Island Cemetery Records
A complete listing of all available online Rhode Island cemeteries, with links to transcriptions, gravestone photos, official records, etc.
Rhode Island Census Records
Rhode Island, State Census, 1885
This project was indexed in partnership with the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Name index and images of census population schedules of the population of the state of Rhode Island as June 1, 1885.
Rhode Island, State Census, 1905
Name index to the population schedule of the census Rhode Island taken by the state in 1905. The 1905 state census lists Rhode Island residents of the state as of 1905. Each resident is listed on a single form. The forms are arranged in order by place of residence (county, town or city, ward, enumeration district), then by gender, and then alphabetically by surname. The census tells whether a person is the head of household or lists relationship of the person to the head of household.
Rhode Island, State Census, 1915
Name index to population schedule of the census of Rhode Island taken by the state in 1915. The 1915 state census of Rhode Island lists residents of Rhode Island as of April 15, 1915. Residents are listed by household and relationship to head of household is given. Children born after April 15, 1915 were not included. The census is arranged by county and then enumeration district. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers.
Rhode Island, State Census, 1925
Index to the 1925 Rhode Island state census. The census lists residents of the state as of April 15, 1925 by household. The head of household is indicated and the relationship of each person to the head of household is given. Children born after April 15, 1925 are not listed. The records are arranged by county and enumeration district. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers.
Rhode Island, State Census, 1935
Name index to population schedule of the census of Rhode Island taken by that state in 1935. Officially known as the 1935 state census, these schedules are on computer cards dated January 1936. This census is an every-name list of the state’s inhabitants as of 1935. The records are arranged by county and town and then alphabetically by surname. People enumerated in the census are recorded individually; the census records do not show individuals in family groups. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers.
Rhode Island Church Records
Washington County
Westerly Washington County Christ Church Marriages
A list of marriages occurring in the Christ Church of Westerly Rhode Island covering the years from the church’s founding in 1834-1899 – organized alphabetically by surname.
Rhode Island Court Records
Rhode Island, District Court Naturalization Indexes, 1906-1991
Card index of naturalizations in the U.S. District Courts in Rhode Island. Cards arranged alphabetically. Corresponds with NARA microfilm publication M2084: Indexes to Naturalization Records for the District Court, 1906-1991, and the U.S. Circuit Court, 1906-1911, Rhode Island.
Rhode Island, Davisville, Melville, Newport, and Quonset Point, Airplane Passenger and Crew Lists, 1955-1957
This collection contains Passenger and Crew Lists of Airplanes Arriving at Davisville, Melville, Newport, and Quonset Point, New York, March 1955-March 1957. The records may include full name, position in ship’s company, age, gender, race, nationality, and permanent residence. These records correspond with NARA publication A3678 and were filmed at the NARA facility in College Park, Maryland.
Kent County Records Collection
- MSS 227 Box 1 Folder 1: Justice Court Records. Warwick, Rhode Island, 1773-1784.
- MSS 227 Box 1 Folder 2: Kent County Court of Common Pleas, 1784.
- MSS 227 Box 1 Folder 3: “List of Several Judgments in Favor of the Colony Unsatisfied”. Inferior Court. 1754-1772.
Providence County Records Collection
- MSS 229 Box 1 Folder 3: Providence County, Inferior Court of Common Pleas, Docket, June 1763 Term.
- MSS 229 Box 1 Folder 4: Providence County, Justice Court, Dockets, 1809-1812.
- MSS 229 Box 1 Folder 5: Providence County, Justice Court, Warwick Miscellaneous Documents, 1729-1741.
Washington County Records Collection
- MSS 230 Box 1 Folder 1: Kings County Court Records, Miscellaneous Papers, 1730-1739.
- MSS 230 Box 1 Folder 2: Kings County Court Records, Miscellaneous Papers, 1740-1749.
- MSS 230 Box 1 Folder 3: Kings County Court Records, Miscellaneous Papers, 1750-1759.
- MSS 230 Box 1 Folder 4: Kings County Court Records, Miscellaneous Papers, 1760-1769.
- MSS 230 Box 1 Folder 5: Kings County Court Records, Record of Cases Commenced, Inferior Court of Common Plea, 1766-1771.
Rhode Island Genealogy
Gleanings from English Records about New England Families
The classic work often cited by more contemporaneous authors on early New England families and the records of them found within the Principal Probate Registry, Somerset House, Strand, the Public Record Office, Fetter Lane, and the British Museum, Bloomsbury, while on a visit in London during the summer and fall of 1879.
Rhode Island Genealogy
Rhode Island Genealogy is being developed as a genealogical and historical resource for your personal use. It contains information and records for Rhode Island ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Specifically, it provides sources for birth records, death records, marriage records, census records, tax records, court records, and military records. It also provides some historical details about different times and people in Rhode Island history.
RIGenWeb – Rhode Island GenWeb
RIGenWeb is created by a group of volunteers as part of the USGenWeb Project working together to provide free genealogy websites for genealogical research in every county in Rhode Island. This Project is non-commercial and fully committed to free genealogy access for everyone.
Rhode Island History
- Narragansett Bay
- Early Visitors To Rhode Island
- Early Rhode Island Settlers
- Rhode Island Relations with the Indians
- Rhode Island’s Relations With Massachusetts And Connecticut
- Organizing A Democracy
Rhode Island Military Records
- Military Records
- Rhode Island Forts
List of colonial forts, trading posts, named camps, redoubts, reservations, general hospitals, national cemeteries, etc., established or erected in the United States from its earliest settlement to 1902. - Revolutionary War Records
- Civil War Records
- Civil War Pensions Index Cards
Each card gives the soldier’s name, unit, the application number, the certificate number and the state from which the soldier served. In some cases, the soldier’s rank, terms of service, date of death and place of death are given. The index cards refer to pension applications of veterans who served in the U.S. Army between 1861 and 1917. The majority of the records pertain to Civil War veterans, but they also include veterans of the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, Indian wars, and World War I.
- Civil War Pensions Index Cards
- World War 1 Records
- World War II Records
- Korean War Casualty List
- Vietnam War Casualty List
Rhode Island Native Americans
Rhode Island Vital Records
Rhode Island County Courthouse Addresses
Rhode Island, Births and Christenings, 1600-1914
Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Rhode Island compiled from a variety of sources including family and church and civil records. The index is not complete for any particular place or region. Many records predate Rhode Island statehood.
Rhode Island, Marriages, 1724-1916
Name index to marriage records from the state of Rhode Island. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier or later.
Rhode Island, Deaths and Burials, 1802-1950
Name index to death and burial records from the state of Rhode Island. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers. This set contains 846,069 records. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier or later.