Rhode Island Research Tips and Strategies: Difference between revisions

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=== Rhode Island Research Strategies  ===
{{RI-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
 
| link1=[[Rhode Island, United States Genealogy|Rhode Island]]
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Rhode Island<br>
| link2=
 
| link3=
:[[Rhode Island Online Genealogy Records|Rhode Island Online Genealogy Records]]  
| link4=
:[[How to Find Rhode Island Birth Records|How to find Rhode Island Birth Records]]
| link5=[[Rhode Island Research Tips and Strategies|Research Tips and Strategies]]
:[[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]]
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=== Rhode Island Research Tips ===
<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>
|}


These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Rhode Island.
== Rhode Island Research Strategies  ==
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]]


*'''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. The best substitute record for locating birth information is [[How to Find United States Death Records|death records]]&nbsp;(the majority of death records will list the date of birth of the decedent, and since death certificates are considered a primary resource, they can provide you with the same documentation as a birth certificate). Or, try these other [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|substitute records]].
===Finding Rhode Island Records===
*'''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]]
*[[Rhode Island Record Finder]]
*'''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 Record Finder  ===
===Rhode Island Statewide Databases===
*[[Rhode Island Online Genealogy Records]]


This 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.
===Rhode Island Research Process===
 
*[[Step-by-Step Rhode Island Research, 1880-Present]]
{| width="100%" border="1"
*[[Step-by-Step Rhode Island Research, 1850-1910]]
|-
*[[Rhode Island Descendancy Research]]
| '''1. What you are looking for:'''
*[[How to Find Rhode Island Birth Records|How to Find Birth Records]]
| '''2. Try these records first:'''
*[[How to Find Rhode Island Marriage Records|How to Find Marriage Records]]
| '''3. Other useful records'''
*[[How to Find Rhode Island Death Records|How to Find Death Records]]
|-
| Birth information
| [[How to Find Rhode Island Birth Records|Birth records]], [[How to Find Rhode Island Death Records|Death records]], [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Rhode Island Church Records|Church records]]
| [[Rhode Island Cemeteries|Cemeteries]], [[Rhode Island Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]], [[Rhode Island Bible Records|Bible records]], [[Rhode Island Military Records|Military records]] (pension)
|-
| Marriage information
| [[How to Find Rhode Island Marriage Records|Marriage records]], [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Rhode Island Bible Records|Bible records]]  
| [[Rhode Island Church Records|Church records]], [[Rhode Island Probate Records|Probate records]], [[Rhode Island Military Records|Military records]]
|-
| Death information
| [[How to Find Rhode Island Death Records|Death Records]], [[Rhode Island Cemeteries|Cemeteries]], [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]]  
| [[Rhode Island Probate Records|Probate Records]], [[Rhode Island Church Records|Church Records]], [[Rhode Island Bible Records|Bible Records]]
|-
| Parents
| [[How to Find Rhode Island Birth Records|Birth records]],&nbsp;[[How to Find Rhode Island Death Records|Death records]], [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Rhode Island Census|Census]], [[Rhode Island Church Records|Church records]]  
| [[Rhode Island Biography|Biography]], [[Rhode Island Genealogy|Genealogy]]
|-
| Maiden name
| [[How to Find Rhode Island Marriage Records|Marriage Records]], [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Rhode Island Probate Records|Probate records]]  
| [[Rhode Island Church Records|Church Records]], [[Rhode Island Military Records|Military Records]] (pension)
|-
| Immigration date
| [[Rhode Island Emigration and Immigration|Emigration and Immigration]], [[Rhode Island Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]], [[Rhode Island Census|Census]]
| [[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]], [[Rhode Island Biography|Biography]], [[Rhode Island History|History]]
|-
| Naturalization
| [[Rhode Island Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]], [[Rhode Island Census|Census]], [[Rhode Island Court Records|Court Records]]
| [[United States Voting Records|Voting Registers]], [[Rhode Island Biography|Biography]], [[Rhode Island Periodicals|Periodicals]]
|-
| Physical description
| [[Rhode Island Military Records|Military Records]], [[Rhode Island Naturalization and Citizenship|Naturalization and Citizenship]] (after 1906)
| [[Rhode Island Biography|Biography]], [[Rhode Island History|History]]
|}


=== Further Rhode Island Research  ===
== Rhode Island Research Tips ==
These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Rhode Island:<br>
<br>
'''Birth and Death information:'''<br>
----
*'''''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>
*'''''Access to records:''''' See [[Rhode Island Vital Records]] for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Rhode Island.
<br>
'''Substitute 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.
*'''''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.
*'''''List of substitute records:''''' See [[Rhode Island Substitute Records|Rhode Island Substitute Records]] for more information.
<br>
'''Finding Parents:''' 
----
*'''''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.
*'''''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.
<br>
'''Census Records:'''
----
*'''''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.
*'''''Clues to other records:''''' There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.
*'''''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.


For more research on Rhode Island, including research at the county level, visit the [[Rhode Island Genealogy|Rhode Island]] page on the Research Wiki.
== Further Rhode Island Research  ==
*[http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/RhodeIsland.pdf Rhode Island Family History Library Research Outline]
*[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/ RIGenWeb] - Rhode Island GenWeb Project
*[http://genealogytrails.com/ri/ Rhode Island Genealogy Trails] - collection of transcribed data for the state of Rhode Island
*[http://www.cyndislist.com/us/ri/ Cyndi's List] - Rhode Island genealogy websites
*[http://www.raogk.org/rhodeisland-genealogy/ Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness] - State of Rhode Island Records Guide


Search all of the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/location/24?region=United%20States%20of%20America Rhode Island record collections] at FamilySearch.<br>
==References==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Rhode_Island]][[Category:Locality_Research Tips and Strategies]]
[[Category:Rhode Island Research Strategies]]
[[Category:United States Research Strategies]]
[[Category:Research Tips and Strategies]]

Latest revision as of 21:13, 23 February 2025

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

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

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

Finding Rhode Island Birth, Marriage or Death Records

Finding Rhode Island Records

Rhode Island Statewide Databases

Rhode Island Research Process

Rhode Island Research Tips

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

Birth and Death information:


  • Statewide registration: Birth and Death records in Rhode Island on the state level start in 1853 and registration was generally complied with by 1915.[1]
  • Town Records: Town records starting as early as the 1630s included information about birth, marriage, and death.[2]
  • Access to records: See Rhode Island Vital Records for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Rhode Island.


Substitute 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.
  • 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.
  • List of substitute records: See Rhode Island Substitute Records for more information.


Finding Parents:


  • 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.
  • 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.


Census Records:


  • 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 Records for more information.
  • Clues to other records: There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.
  • 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.

Further Rhode Island Research

References

  1. Rhode Island Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1988, 21-22. (Accessed 20 Feb 2025). Online at: BYU University - Provo
  2. Rhode Island Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1988, 21-22. (Accessed 20 Feb 2025). Online at: BYU University - Provo