Rhode Island Research Tips and Strategies: Difference between revisions

VisualWikitext

Revision as of 20:38, 25 September 2020

Rhode Island Wiki Topics

Beginning Research

Record Types

Rhode Island Background

Cultural Groups

Local Research Resources

United States

Rhode Island

Research Tips and Strategies

Purpose of Research Tips and Strategies Wiki Page
The Rhode Island Research Tips and Strategies page consists of links to specific research strategies for Rhode Island. It also contains general tips and other resources for finding your ancestors in this locality.

Rhode Island Research Strategies[edit | edit source]

Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Research Tips[edit | edit source]

These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Rhode Island.

Birth information: State wide registration of births in Rhode Island began in 1853. Earlier birth records dating back to 1636 were kept by the towns. A helpful substitute record to find birth information is a death record. However, date and place of birth on a death record is considered secondary information, as it was not recorded at the time of the birth event. The birth information should be corroborated with other substitute records to improve accuracy.
Finding Parents: State wide registration of deaths in Rhode Island began in 1853. Earlier death records dating back to 1636 were kept by the towns. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. Search Rhode Island death records
Look in all censuses: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. Search U.S. Censuses.

[STATE] Record Finder[edit | edit source]

This brief Record Finder is designed to help you determine the best record to search for the type of information you are looking for. It is most helpful for post-1850 research. For a more complete Record Finder, covering additional research needs, see [[[STATE] Record Finder]].

1. What you are looking for:	2. Try these records first:	3. Other useful records
Birth information	[[How to Find [STATE] Birth Records\|Birth records]] [[How to Find [STATE] Death Records\|Death records]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Church Records\|Church records]]	[[[STATE] Cemeteries\|Cemeteries]] [[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship\|Naturalization and Citizenship]] [[[STATE] Bible Records\|Bible records]] [[[STATE] Military Records\|Military records]]
Marriage information	[[How to Find [STATE] Marriage Records\|Marriage records]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Bible Records\|Bible records]]	[[[STATE] Church Records\|Church records]] [[[STATE] Probate Records\|Probate records]] [[[STATE] Military Records\|Military records]]
Death information	[[How to Find [STATE] Death Records\|Death Records]] [[[STATE] Cemeteries\|Cemeteries]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]]	[[[STATE] Probate Records\|Probate Records]] [[[STATE] Church Records\|Church Records]] [[[STATE] Bible Records\|Bible Records]]
Parents	[[How to Find [STATE] Birth Records\|Birth records]] [[How to Find [STATE] Death Records\|Death records]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Census\|Census]] [[[STATE] Church Records\|Church records]]	[[[STATE] Biography\|Biography]] [[[STATE], United States Genealogy\|Genealogy]]
Maiden name	[[How to Find [STATE] Marriage Records\|Marriage Records]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Probate Records\|Probate records]]	[[[STATE] Church Records\|Church Records]] [[[STATE] Military Records\|Military Records]]
Immigration date	[[[STATE] Emigration and Immigration\|Emigration and Immigration]] [[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship\|Naturalization and Citizenship]] [[[STATE] Census\|Census]]	[[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Biography\|Biography]] [[[STATE] History\|History]]
Naturalization	[[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship\|Naturalization and Citizenship]] [[[STATE] Census\|Census]] [[[STATE] Court Records\|Court Records]]	[[[STATE] Voting Records\|Voting Records]] [[[STATE] Biography\|Biography]] [[[STATE] Periodicals\|Periodicals]]
Physical description	[[[STATE] Military Records\|Military Records]] [[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship\|Naturalization and Citizenship]] (after 1906)	[[[STATE] Biography\|Biography]] [[[STATE] History\|History]]

Further [STATE] Research[edit | edit source]

Remember, for a more complete Record Finder, covering additional research needs, see [[[STATE] Record Finder]].
For online record collections, go to [[[STATE] Online Genealogy Records|[STATE] Online Genealogy Records.]]
For more research on [STATE], including research at the county level, visit the [[[STATE], United States Genealogy|[STATE]]] page on the Research Wiki.
Search all of the Rhode Island record collections at FamilySearch.

Ralph J. Crandall. ed. Genealogical Research in New England. Baltimore,Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1984. FHL 974 D27gr

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{RI-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
-| link1=[[Rhode Island, United States Genealogy|Rhode Island]]
+| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
-| link2=
+| link2=[[Rhode Island, United States Genealogy|Rhode Island]]
 | link3=
 | link4=
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 <center><font size = "4"><br>'''Purpose of Research Tips and Strategies Wiki Page'''</font></center><br>
 <center>''The Rhode Island Research Tips and Strategies page consists of links to specific research strategies for Rhode Island. It also contains general tips and other resources for finding your ancestors in this locality.''</center><br>
-|}
+|}<br><br>
+[[Category:Research Tips and Strategies]]
+=== Rhode Island Research Strategies  ===
+Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Rhode Island<br>
+*[[Rhode Island Online Genealogy Records|Rhode Island Online Genealogy Records]]
+*[[How to Find Rhode Island Birth Records|How to find Rhode Island Birth Records]]
+*[[How to Find Rhode Island Marriage Records|How to find Rhode Island Marriage Records]]
+*[[How to Find Rhode Island Death Records|How to find Rhode Island Death Records]]
+=== Rhode Island Research Tips  ===
-== Rhode Island Research Strategies  ==
+These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Rhode Island.
-Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Rhode Island:<br>
-===Finding Rhode Island Birth, Marriage or Death Records===
-*[[GuidedResearch:Rhode Island|Finding Rhode Island Births, Marriages, and Deaths using Guided Research]]
-===Finding Rhode Island Records===
+*'''Birth information:''' State wide registration of births in Rhode Island began in 1853. Earlier birth records dating back to 1636 were kept by the towns. A helpful substitute record to find birth information is a death record. However, date and place of birth on a death record is considered secondary information, as it was not recorded at the time of the birth event. The birth information should be corroborated with other [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|substitute records]] to improve accuracy.
-*[[Rhode Island Record Finder]]
+*'''Finding Parents:''' State wide registration of deaths in Rhode Island began in 1853. Earlier death records dating back to 1636 were kept by the towns. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. [[How to Find United States Death Records|Search Rhode Island death records]]
+*'''Look in all censuses:''' Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. [[United States Census Online|Search U.S. Censuses]].
-===Rhode Island Statewide Databases===
+[[Category:Research Tips and Strategies]]
-*[[Rhode Island Online Genealogy Records]]
+=== [STATE] Record Finder  ===
-===Rhode Island Research Process===
+This brief Record Finder is designed to help you determine the best record to search for the type of information you are looking for. It is most helpful for post-1850 research. '''For a more complete Record Finder, covering additional research needs, see [[[STATE] Record Finder]].'''
-*[[Step-by-Step Rhode Island Research, 1880-Present]]
-*[[Step-by-Step Rhode Island Research, 1850-1910]]
-*[[Rhode Island Descendancy Research]]
-*[[How to Find Rhode Island Birth Records|How to Find Birth Records]]
-*[[How to Find Rhode Island Marriage Records|How to Find Marriage Records]]
-*[[How to Find Rhode Island Death Records|How to Find Death Records]]
-== Rhode Island Research Tips  ==
+{| width="70%" border="1"
-These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Rhode Island:<br>
+|-
-<br>
+| style="padding:10px"| '''1. What you are looking for:'''
-'''Birth and Death information:'''<br>
+| style="padding:10px"| '''2. Try these records first:'''
-----
+| style="padding:10px"|'''3. Other useful records'''
-*'''''Statewide registration:''''' Birth and Death records in Rhode Island on the state level start in 1853 and registration was generally complied with by 1915.<ref>''Rhode Island Research Outline.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1988, 21-22. (Accessed 20 Feb 2025). '''''Online at:''''' [http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/RhodeIsland.pdf BYU University - Provo]</ref>
+|-
-*'''''Town Records:''''' Town records starting as early as the 1630s included information about birth, marriage, and death.<ref>''Rhode Island Research Outline.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1988, 21-22. (Accessed 20 Feb 2025). '''''Online at:''''' [http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/RhodeIsland.pdf BYU University - Provo]</ref>
+| style="padding:10px"|
-*'''''Access to records:''''' See [[Rhode Island Vital Records]] for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Rhode Island.
+Birth information
-<br>
+| style="padding:10px; vertical-align:top"|
-'''Substitute Records:'''
+*[[How to Find [STATE] Birth Records|Birth records]]
-----
+*[[How to Find [STATE] Death Records|Death records]]
-*'''''Secondary source:''''' Substitute records are used when primary sources do not exist for an event, such as birth, marriage, and deaths. Secondary sources list information about the event but they were not recorded at the time of the event and they are not an official record of the event.
+*[[[STATE] Obituaries|Obituaries]]
-*'''''Accuracy:''''' Because the information about an event in substitute records was not the official recording of the event (such as, cemetery or obituary records) inaccuracy may occur. Use other substitute records to help verify information.
+*[[[STATE] Church Records|Church records]]
-*'''''List of substitute records:''''' See [[Rhode Island Substitute Records|Rhode Island Substitute Records]] for more information.
+| style="padding:10px"|
-<br>
+*[[[STATE] Cemeteries|Cemeteries]]
-'''Finding Parents:'''
+*[[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]]
-----
+*[[[STATE] Bible Records|Bible records]]
-*'''''Death records:''''' Death records often include information about the deceased's birth and parents. Information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory.
+*[[[STATE] Military Records|Military records]]
-*'''''Obituaries:''''' Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See [[Rhode Island Newspapers]] and [[Rhode Island Obituaries]] for more information.
+|-
-*'''''Church records:''''' Knowing the denomination of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See [[Rhode Island Church Records]] for more information.
+| style="padding:10px"|Marriage information
-<br>
+| style="padding:10px"|
-'''Census Records:'''
+*[[How to Find [STATE] Marriage Records|Marriage records]]
-----
+*[[[STATE] Obituaries|Obituaries]]
-*'''''Check all census years:''''' Always look for your ancestor in every possible census to learn more about them and their family members. See [[Rhode Island Census|Rhode Island Census Records]] for more information.
+*[[[STATE] Bible Records|Bible records]]
-*'''''Clues to other records:''''' There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.
+| style="padding:10px"|
-*'''''Finding families:''''' Starting in 1850, all members of the household were listed in the census. By 1880, relationship to the head of household was added.
+*[[[STATE] Church Records|Church records]]
+*[[[STATE] Probate Records|Probate records]]
+*[[[STATE] Military Records|Military records]]
+|-
+| style="padding:10px"|Death information
+| style="padding:10px"|
+*[[How to Find [STATE] Death Records|Death Records]]
+*[[[STATE] Cemeteries|Cemeteries]]
+*[[[STATE] Obituaries|Obituaries]]
+| style="padding:10px"|
+*[[[STATE] Probate Records|Probate Records]]
+*[[[STATE] Church Records|Church Records]]
+*[[[STATE] Bible Records|Bible Records]]
+|-
+| style="padding:10px"|Parents
+| style="padding:10px"|
+*[[How to Find [STATE] Birth Records|Birth records]]
+*[[How to Find [STATE] Death Records|Death records]]
+*[[[STATE] Obituaries|Obituaries]]
+*[[[STATE] Census|Census]]
+*[[[STATE] Church Records|Church records]]
+| style="padding:10px; vertical-align:top"|
+*[[[STATE] Biography|Biography]]
+*[[[STATE], United States Genealogy|Genealogy]]
+|-
+| style="padding:10px"|
+Maiden name
+| style="padding:10px"|
+*[[How to Find [STATE] Marriage Records|Marriage Records]]
+*[[[STATE] Obituaries|Obituaries]]
+*[[[STATE] Probate Records|Probate records]]
+| style="padding:10px; vertical-align:top"|
+*[[[STATE] Church Records|Church Records]]
+*[[[STATE] Military Records|Military Records]]
+|-
+| style="padding:10px"|
+Immigration date
+| style="padding:10px"|
+*[[[STATE] Emigration and Immigration|Emigration and Immigration]]
+*[[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]]
+*[[[STATE] Census|Census]]
+| style="padding:10px"|
+*[[[STATE] Obituaries|Obituaries]]
+*[[[STATE] Biography|Biography]]
+*[[[STATE] History|History]]
+|-
+| style="padding:10px"|
+Naturalization
+| style="padding:10px"|
+*[[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]]
+*[[[STATE] Census|Census]]
+*[[[STATE] Court Records|Court Records]]
+| style="padding:10px"|
+*[[[STATE] Voting Records|Voting Records]]
+*[[[STATE] Biography|Biography]]
+*[[[STATE] Periodicals|Periodicals]]
+|-
+| style="padding:10px"|
+Physical description
+| style="padding:10px"|
+*[[[STATE] Military Records|Military Records]]
+*[[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]] (after 1906)
+| style="padding:10px; vertical-align:top"|
+*[[[STATE] Biography|Biography]]
+*[[[STATE] History|History]]
+|}
-== Further Rhode Island Research  ==
+=== Further [STATE] Research  ===
-*[http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/RhodeIsland.pdf Rhode Island Family History Library Research Outline]
+*'''Remember, for a more complete Record Finder, covering additional research needs, see [[[STATE] Record Finder]].'''
-*[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/ RIGenWeb] - Rhode Island GenWeb Project
+*For online record collections, go to [[[STATE] Online Genealogy Records|'''[STATE] Online Genealogy Records.''']]
-*[http://genealogytrails.com/ri/ Rhode Island Genealogy Trails] - collection of transcribed data for the state of Rhode Island
+*For more research on [STATE], including research at the county level, visit the [[[STATE], United States Genealogy|'''[STATE]''']] page on the Research Wiki.
-*[http://www.cyndislist.com/us/ri/ Cyndi's List] - Rhode Island genealogy websites
+*Search all of the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/location/24?region=United%20States%20of%20America Rhode Island record collections] at FamilySearch.<br>
-*[http://www.raogk.org/rhodeisland-genealogy/ Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness] - State of Rhode Island Records Guide
-==References==
+[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/216515 Ralph J. Crandall. ed. ''Genealogical Research in New England.'' Baltimore,Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1984. FHL 974 D27gr]
-{{reflist}}
 [[Category:Rhode Island Research Strategies]]
 [[Category:United States Research Strategies]]
 [[Category:Research Tips and Strategies]]

1. What you are looking for:	2. Try these records first:	3. Other useful records
Birth information	[[How to Find [STATE] Birth Records\|Birth records]] [[How to Find [STATE] Death Records\|Death records]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Church Records\|Church records]]	[[[STATE] Cemeteries\|Cemeteries]] [[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship\|Naturalization and Citizenship]] [[[STATE] Bible Records\|Bible records]] [[[STATE] Military Records\|Military records]]
Marriage information	[[How to Find [STATE] Marriage Records\|Marriage records]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Bible Records\|Bible records]]	[[[STATE] Church Records\|Church records]] [[[STATE] Probate Records\|Probate records]] [[[STATE] Military Records\|Military records]]
Death information	[[How to Find [STATE] Death Records\|Death Records]] [[[STATE] Cemeteries\|Cemeteries]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]]	[[[STATE] Probate Records\|Probate Records]] [[[STATE] Church Records\|Church Records]] [[[STATE] Bible Records\|Bible Records]]
Parents	[[How to Find [STATE] Birth Records\|Birth records]] [[How to Find [STATE] Death Records\|Death records]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Census\|Census]] [[[STATE] Church Records\|Church records]]	[[[STATE] Biography\|Biography]] [[[STATE], United States Genealogy\|Genealogy]]
Maiden name	[[How to Find [STATE] Marriage Records\|Marriage Records]] [[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Probate Records\|Probate records]]	[[[STATE] Church Records\|Church Records]] [[[STATE] Military Records\|Military Records]]
Immigration date	[[[STATE] Emigration and Immigration\|Emigration and Immigration]] [[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship\|Naturalization and Citizenship]] [[[STATE] Census\|Census]]	[[[STATE] Obituaries\|Obituaries]] [[[STATE] Biography\|Biography]] [[[STATE] History\|History]]
Naturalization	[[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship\|Naturalization and Citizenship]] [[[STATE] Census\|Census]] [[[STATE] Court Records\|Court Records]]	[[[STATE] Voting Records\|Voting Records]] [[[STATE] Biography\|Biography]] [[[STATE] Periodicals\|Periodicals]]
Physical description	[[[STATE] Military Records\|Military Records]] [[[STATE] Naturalization and Citizenship\|Naturalization and Citizenship]] (after 1906)	[[[STATE] Biography\|Biography]] [[[STATE] History\|History]]