Rhode Island Colonial Records: Difference between revisions

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''Many records from the colonial era in New England were kept at the town or county level. Search the catalog at the town or county level to locate those records.''
''Many records from the colonial era in New England were kept at the town or county level. Search the catalog at the town or county level to locate those records.''


*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9079/ '''1582-1932''' - Rhode Island, Wills and Probate Records] - index & images at Ancestry ($)
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9079/ '''1582-1932''' - Rhode Island, Wills and Probate Records] - index and images at Ancestry ($)
*{{FSC|838527|item|disp='''1638-1644''' - Records of Rhode Island}} - images only
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/838527 '''1638-1644''' - Records of Rhode Island] - images only
*{{FSC|838512|item|disp='''1638-1670''' - Rhode Island (Colony) records}} - images only
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/838512 '''1638-1670''' - Rhode Island (Colony) records] - images only
*{{FSC|353894|item|disp='''1723-1790''' - Maritime papers of Rhode Island}} - partially digitized
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/353894 '''1723-1790''' - Maritime papers of Rhode Island] - partially digitized
*{{FSC|365954|item|disp='''1730-1765''' - Military papers of Rhode Island (colonial period), 1730-1765}} - images only +++
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/365954 '''1730-1765''' - Military papers of Rhode Island (colonial period), 1730-1765] - images only +++
*{{FSC|280350|item|disp='''1731-1792''' - Military papers of Rhode Island (colonial and Revolutionary War periods), 1731-1792}} - images only +++
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/280350 '''1731-1792''' - Military papers of Rhode Island (colonial and Revolutionary War periods), 1731-1792] - images only +++
*{{FSC|274567|item|disp='''1741-1746''' - Rhode Island and Massachusetts boundary commission, 1741-1746, 1846-1848 : Rhode Island and Massachusetts boundary commission}} - images only +++
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/274567 '''1741-1746''' - Rhode Island and Massachusetts boundary commission, 1741-1746, 1846-1848 : Rhode Island and Massachusetts boundary commission] - images only +++


==History==
==History==
Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams and other European settlers who were banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Williams negotiated with the Native Americans living there for land and named the place Providence Plantations.  In 1644 the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was created and consisted of Providence, Portsouth, and Newport. Warwick joined in 1647. Rhode Island became part of the Dominion of New England in 1686, but regained its independence in 1688.<ref>Christina K. Schaefer, ''Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere'' (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 313. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39622039 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FSC|822639|item|disp=FS Catalog book 929.11812 D26 1998}}</ref><ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Rhode Island," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island, accessed 7 January 2020.</ref>
Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams and other European settlers who were banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Williams negotiated with the Native Americans living there for land and named the place Providence Plantations.  In 1644 the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was created and consisted of Providence, Portsouth, and Newport. Warwick joined in 1647. Rhode Island became part of the Dominion of New England in 1686, but regained its independence in 1688.<ref>Christina K. Schaefer, ''Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere'' (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 313. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39622039 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|822639|item|disp=FS Library book 929.11812 D26 1998}}</ref><ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Rhode Island," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island, accessed 7 January 2020.</ref>




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<ref>Christina K. Schaefer, ''Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere'' (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 183, 192. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39622039 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FSC|822639|item|disp=FS Catalog book 929.11812 D26 1998}}</ref>
<ref>Christina K. Schaefer, ''Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere'' (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 183, 192. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39622039 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FHL|822639|item|disp=FS Library book 929.11812 D26 1998}}</ref>
==Resources==
==Resources==


=== Church Records ===
=== Church Records ===


* {{FSC|268945|item|disp=''The Records of American Baptists in Rhode Island and Related Organizations''}} by American Baptist Historical Society. (Rochester, NY: American Baptist Historical Society, 1982).  
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/268945 ''The Records of American Baptists in Rhode Island and Related Organizations''] by American Baptist Historical Society. (Rochester, NY: American Baptist Historical Society, 1982).  


===Court Records===
===Court Records===


*{{FSC|32867|item|disp=''Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and providence Plantations in New England 1636-1792, Printed by Order of the Legislature''}} by John R. Bartlett. (Providence: A.C. Green, 1856-1865).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/32867 ''Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and providence Plantations in New England 1636-1792, Printed by Order of the Legislature''] by John R. Bartlett. (Providence: A.C. Green, 1856-1865).
*{{FSC|30198|item|disp=''Rhode Island Court Records: Records of The Court of Trials of The Colony of Providence Plantations, 1647-1670''}}. 2 Vols. (Providence: Rhode Island Historical Society, 1920-1922).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/30198 ''Rhode Island Court Records: Records of The Court of Trials of The Colony of Providence Plantations, 1647-1670'']. 2 Vols. (Providence: Rhode Island Historical Society, 1920-1922).
*{{FSC|32867|item|disp=''Records of the Vice-Admiralty Court of Rhode Island: 1716-1752''}}. (1936. Reprint. Millwood, NY: Kraus Reprint, 1975).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/32867 ''Records of the Vice-Admiralty Court of Rhode Island: 1716-1752'']. (1936. Reprint. Millwood, NY: Kraus Reprint, 1975).


=== Early Families and Histories ===
=== Early Families and Histories ===


* {{FSC|50486|item|disp=''Colonial Rhode Island: A History''}} by Sydney V. James. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/50486 ''Colonial Rhode Island: A History''] by Sydney V. James. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975).
* {{FSC|43609|item|disp=''Concerning the French Settlements and French Settlers in the Colony of Rhode Island''}} by Elisha R. Potter. (1879. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/43609 ''Concerning the French Settlements and French Settlers in the Colony of Rhode Island''] by Elisha R. Potter. (1879. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968).
* {{FSC|1163274|item|disp=''Dutch Settlers Society Collections''}}. 7 Vols. (Albany: The Society, 1927-1945).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1163274 ''Dutch Settlers Society Collections'']. 7 Vols. (Albany: The Society, 1927-1945).
* {{FSC|471084|item|disp=''Genealogies of Rhode Island Families: From the New England Historical and Genealogical Register''}}. 2 Vols. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1989). ''Also at: [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/48397/ Vol. I], [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/48398/ Vol. II] at Ancestry ($).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/471084 ''Genealogies of Rhode Island Families: From the New England Historical and Genealogical Register'']. 2 Vols. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1989). ''Also at: [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/48397/ Vol. I], [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/48398/ Vol. II] at Ancestry ($).
* {{FSC|429266|item|disp=''Genealogies of Rhode Island Families: From Rhode Island Periodicals''}}. 2 Vols. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co,. 1983).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/429266 ''Genealogies of Rhode Island Families: From Rhode Island Periodicals'']. 2 Vols. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co,. 1983).
* {{FSC|328872|item|disp=''The Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island: Comprising Three Generations of Settlers Who Came Before 1690''}} by John Osborne Austin. (1887. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1969).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/328872 ''The Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island: Comprising Three Generations of Settlers Who Came Before 1690''] by John Osborne Austin. (1887. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1969).
* {{FSC|2737271|item|disp=''History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: 1636-1790''}} by Samuel Greene Arnold. 2 Vols. (1859. Reprint. Spartanburg, SC: The Reprint Co., 1970).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2737271 ''History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: 1636-1790''] by Samuel Greene Arnold. 2 Vols. (1859. Reprint. Spartanburg, SC: The Reprint Co., 1970).
* {{FSC|407800|item|disp=''Rhode Island Biographical and Genealogical Sketch Index''}} by J. Carlyle Parker. (Turlock, CA: Marietta Publishing Co., 1991).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/407800 ''Rhode Island Biographical and Genealogical Sketch Index''] by J. Carlyle Parker. (Turlock, CA: Marietta Publishing Co., 1991).
* {{FSC|383612|item|disp=''Rhode Island Sources for Family Historians and Genealogists''}} by Kip Sperry. (Logan, UT: Everton Publishers, 1986).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/383612 ''Rhode Island Sources for Family Historians and Genealogists''] by Kip Sperry. (Logan, UT: Everton Publishers, 1986).
* {{FSC|275893|item|disp=''Settlers of Aquidneck , and Liberty of Conscience''}} by Henry E. Turner. (Newport: Newport Historical Publishing Co., 1880).
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/275893 ''Settlers of Aquidneck , and Liberty of Conscience''] by Henry E. Turner. (Newport: Newport Historical Publishing Co., 1880).


===Other===
===Other===


*{{FSC|4956|item|disp=''A list of Rhode Island soldiers and sailors in King George's war : 1740-1748''}} by Howard M. Chapin. (Providence, Rhode Island : Rhode Island Historical Society, 1920).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/4956 ''A list of Rhode Island soldiers and sailors in King George's war : 1740-1748''] by Howard M. Chapin. (Providence, Rhode Island : Rhode Island Historical Society, 1920).
*{{FSC|1779627|item|disp=''Census of the Inhabitants of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 1774''}} by John R. Bartlett. (1858. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1969).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1779627?availability=San%20Jose%20California%20Family%20History%20Center ''Census of the Inhabitants of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 1774''] by John R. Bartlett. (1858. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1969).
*{{FSC|562727|item|disp=''Commerce of Rhode Island: 1726-1800''}}. 2 Vols. (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1914-1915).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/562727 ''Commerce of Rhode Island: 1726-1800'']. 2 Vols. (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1914-1915).
*{{FSC|2742588|item|disp=''The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775''}} published by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; edited by Gertrude Selwyn Kimball. 2 Vols. (Boston: National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, 1902-1903).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2742588 ''The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775''] published by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; edited by Gertrude Selwyn Kimball. 2 Vols. (Boston: National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, 1902-1903).
*{{FSC|280366|item|disp=Certificates for deputies and freemen of Rhode Island towns, 1663-1778}}
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/280366 Certificates for deputies and freemen of Rhode Island towns, 1663-1778]
*{{FSC|307181|item|disp=Deputies and freemen index, 1664-1806}} Contains typed cards of freemen in the colony of Rhode Island, including some information regarding their citizenship, and lists of those appointed as deputies in the colony of Rhode Island.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/307181 Deputies and freemen index, 1664-1806] Contains typed cards of freemen in the colony of Rhode Island, including some information regarding their citizenship, and lists of those appointed as deputies in the colony of Rhode Island.
*''The First 100 Years of the Church of England in Rhode Island'' by Edgar L. Pennington. (Hartford: Church Missions Publishing, 1935)
*''The First 100 Years of the Church of England in Rhode Island'' by Edgar L. Pennington. (Hartford: Church Missions Publishing, 1935)
*[https://archive.org/details/peircescoloniall00peir_0/page/n6/mode/2up ''Peirce's colonial lists : civil, military and professional lists of Plymouth and Rhode Island colonies, comprising colonial, county and town officers, clergymen, physicians and lawyers ; with extracts from colonial laws defining their duties. 1621-1700''] by Ebenezer W. Peirce. (Boston, MA: A. Williams & Co.; David Clapp & Son, 1881).
*[https://archive.org/details/peircescoloniall00peir_0/page/n6/mode/2up ''Peirce's colonial lists : civil, military and professional lists of Plymouth and Rhode Island colonies, comprising colonial, county and town officers, clergymen, physicians and lawyers ; with extracts from colonial laws defining their duties. 1621-1700''] by Ebenezer W. Peirce. (Boston, MA: A. Williams & Co.; David Clapp & Son, 1881).
*{{FSC|172035|item|disp=''Rhode Island in the colonial wars; a list of Rhode Island soldiers & sailors in the old French & Indian War, 1755-1762''}} Howard M. Chapin. (Providence, Rhode Island : Rhode Island Historical Society, 1918).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/172035 ''Rhode Island in the colonial wars; a list of Rhode Island soldiers & sailors in the old French & Indian War, 1755-1762''] Howard M. Chapin. (Providence, Rhode Island : Rhode Island Historical Society, 1918).
*{{FSC|774398|item|disp=''Runaways, Deserters, and Notorious Villains from Rhode Island Newspapers''}} by Maureen Alice Taylor. Vol. 1. ''The Providence Gazette, 1762 1800'' (Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1995).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/774398 ''Runaways, Deserters, and Notorious Villains from Rhode Island Newspapers''] by Maureen Alice Taylor. Vol. 1. ''The Providence Gazette, 1762 1800'' (Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1995).
*{{FSC|299469|item|disp=''Supplement to the Rhode Island colonial records comprising a list of the freemen admitted from May 1747 to May 1754''}} by Sidney S. Rider. (Providence, R.I. : Sidney S. Rider, 1875).
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/299469 ''Supplement to the Rhode Island colonial records comprising a list of the freemen admitted from May 1747 to May 1754''] by Sidney S. Rider. (Providence, R.I. : Sidney S. Rider, 1875).


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 15:42, 5 December 2022

Rhode Island Wiki Topics
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Beginning Research
Record Types
Rhode Island Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Online Records[edit | edit source]

Many records from the colonial era in New England were kept at the town or county level. Search the catalog at the town or county level to locate those records.

History[edit | edit source]

Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams and other European settlers who were banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Williams negotiated with the Native Americans living there for land and named the place Providence Plantations. In 1644 the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was created and consisted of Providence, Portsouth, and Newport. Warwick joined in 1647. Rhode Island became part of the Dominion of New England in 1686, but regained its independence in 1688.[1][2]


Earliest Church Records Earliest Land Records Earliest Court Records Earliest Newspapers
1636 1636 1638 1732

[3]

Resources[edit | edit source]

Church Records[edit | edit source]

Court Records[edit | edit source]

Early Families and Histories[edit | edit source]

Other[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Christina K. Schaefer, Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 313. WorldCat (Other Libraries); FS Library book 929.11812 D26 1998
  2. Wikipedia contributors, "Rhode Island," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island, accessed 7 January 2020.
  3. Christina K. Schaefer, Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 183, 192. WorldCat (Other Libraries); FS Library book 929.11812 D26 1998