How to Find Rhode Island Marriage Records: Difference between revisions

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== Finding Rhode Island Marriage Records  ==
== Finding Rhode Island Marriage Records  ==


*1805 Rhode Islandlaws required counties to record marriages  
*1805 Rhode Island laws required counties to record marriages  
*1 April 1867, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of state  
*1 April 1867, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of state  
*An additional 1905 law resulted in greater statewide compliance  
*An additional 1905 law resulted in greater statewide compliance  
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== '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? '''  ==
== '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? '''  ==



Revision as of 09:52, 26 June 2013


THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION--PLEASE WAIT TO USE THE INFORMATION[edit | edit source]

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records go to How To Find Rhode Island Marriage Records

Finding Rhode Island Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

  • 1805 Rhode Island laws required counties to record marriages
  • 1 April 1867, the county clerk began to forward marriage records to the secretary of state
  • An additional 1905 law resulted in greater statewide compliance
  • Rhode Islandmarriage records are not restricted and can be ordered by anyone during any time period


Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source]

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Marriage Records
Choose a time period:

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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records


Marriages Before 1820[edit | edit source]

  • Before 1805, no marriages were recorded by the county or state
  • 1805 to 1820 very few records exist


If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

1. Look first in 2. Then search
Church Records

Newspapers
Military Records
Obituaries

Census Records

Cemetery Records
Death Records
Bible Records


Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year


Marriages 1820 to 1867[edit | edit source]

Rhode Island Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try:
Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1867

Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch.

Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.


Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.

Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

  • Search the FHLC by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
  • For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1868 to 1925[edit | edit source]

Rhode Island Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925

Free; most counties 1868-1925: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch.

Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.

Try 2nd:
Michigan, County Marriages, 1868-1925

Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch.


Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.


Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.

Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

  • Search the FHLC by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
  • For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1926 to 1935
[edit | edit source]

Rhode Island Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
Michigan, County Marriages, 1926-1935

Free; most counties 1925-1936: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch.

Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.

Try 2nd:
County Clerk If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the county clerk where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Try 3rd:
Rhode Island Department of Health If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact theRhode IslandDepartment of Public Health. If you are unsure about the marriage year, the Rhode Island Department of Public Health charges $12 more for each year searched. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.


Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.

Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

  • Search the FHLC by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
  • For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1936 to Present[edit | edit source]

Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred From MI Dept. of Health State office
Pros Cons Pros Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]