Rhode Island Vital Records

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Rhode Island

Vital Records

Vital Records Reference Dates Rhode Island vital records start the following years: Birth County Marriages Death Earliest 1630s 1630s 1630s Statewide Registration 1853 1853 1853 General Compliance 1915 1915 1915

Rhode Island Birth, Marriage, and Death Records Online

Births

• 1600-1914 Rhode Island Births and Christenings, 1600-1914 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
• 1600-1935 Rhode Island Births & Baptisms, 1600-1935 at Findmypast — index ($)
• 1630-1945 Rhode Island Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1636-1899 Rhode Island Vital Extracts, 1636-1899 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1636-1930 Rhode Island Birth Index, 1636-1930 at Ancestry — index ($)
• 1639-1932 Rhode Island Town Births and Baptisms Index, 1639-1932 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
• 1800-1855 Rhode Island and Pawtucket, Massachusetts Birth Index, 1800-1855 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1636-1850 American Ancestors Rhode Island Vital Records, 1636–1850 ($)
• 1852-1900 Rhode Island State Births Index, 1819; 1852-1900 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1846-1953 Rhode Island Vital records at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Marriages

• Pre-1700 U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
• 1522-1989 United States Marriages – Rhode Island, 1522-1989 at Findmypast - index & images ($)
• 1630-1945 Rhode Island Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1636-1899 Rhode Island Vital Extracts, 1636-1899 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1636-1850 American Ancestors Rhode Island Vital Records, 1636–1850 ($)
• 1639-1932 Rhode Island Town Marriages Index, 1639-1932 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1724-1916 Rhode Island, Marriages, 1724-1916 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
• 1846-1953 Rhode Island Vital records at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1851-1920 Rhode Island, Marriages, 1851-1920 at Ancestry - index ($)
  
  

Deaths

• 1628-1930 Rhode Island Deaths & Burials 1628-1930 at Findmypast - index ($)
• 1630-1930 Rhode Island, Deaths, 1630-1930 at Ancestry - index ($)
• 1630-1945 Rhode Island Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1636-1850 American Ancestors Rhode Island Vital Records, 1636–1850 ($)
• 1636-1899 Rhode Island Vital Extracts, 1636-1899 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1639-1932 Rhode Island Town Deaths and Burials Index, 1639-1932 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1802-1950 Rhode Island, Deaths and Burials, 1802-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
• 1846-1953 Rhode Island Vital records at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 2013-2017 Rhode Island, Deaths, 2013-2017 at MyHeritage - index ($)

Vital Records Published Book Indexes

• 1636-1850 Vital records of Rhode Island, 1636-1850: a family register for the people Links Vol. 1-21
• 1636-1850 Vital record of Rhode Island: a family register for the people, 1636-1850, Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8, Vol. 9, Vol. 10, Vol. 11, Vol. 12, Vol. 13, Vol. 14, Vol. 15, Vol. 16, Vol. 17, Vol. 18, Vol. 19, Vol. 20, Vol. 21, Vol. 22 at FamilySearch — eBook
• 1636-1899 Vital record of Rhode Island, 1636-1850, first series, births, marriages and deaths a family register for the people($)

Order Original Records

• Order Rhode Island Certificates online - $

Town Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths

Records of births, marriages, and deaths have been kept by town clerks since the 1630s. In 1700 the laws concerning vital records registration were made more specific, and the records after that time are more complete.

An index to many pre-1850 births and marriages in Rhode Island is the International Genealogical Index found at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch Centers. Also use compiled collections and indexes, such as Calef's and others described in Rhode Island Genealogy. Town minutes and land evidences sometimes also give vital statistics information.

The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces. Hyattsville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993; FamilySearch Library FS Library Collection book 973 V24wv. Copies of this booklet are at the FamilySearch Library and many FamilySearch Centers. You can also write to the Division of Vital Statistics for current information. Members of an incorporated genealogical society may view and copy the records.

• Gretna Greens. When an eloping Rhode Island couple's marriage is not in their home town, search for it in alternate places like Elkton, Cecil, Maryland, or Prince William County, VA.

Divorce Records

Early divorce records were recorded in the supreme court records. Divorce records 1905 to present are at:

Clerk of Family Court
1 Dorrance Plaza
Providence, RI 02903
Telephone: 401-277-3340
Office of Vital Records

Inventory of Vital Records

The history and availability of vital records is described in Guide to the Public Vital Statistics Records: Births, Marriages, Deaths, in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Providence, Rhode Island: Historical Records Survey, 1941; At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Collection book 974.5 V2h; film 982351; fiche 6046673

FamilySearch Library Rhode Island Vital Records Collections

Many of the births, marriages, and deaths recorded in town records have been extracted and are part of the database that can be searched by name on the home page of FamilySearch. Formerly these records were a part of the International Genealogical Index (IGI). Also use compiled collections and indexes, such as Calef's and others described in Rhode Island Genealogy. Town minutes and land evidences sometimes also give vital statistics information.

Many vital records have been published in genealogical periodicals and other sources, including:

• Vital Records of Rhode Island 1636-1850: A Family Register for the People Arnold, James N. Vital Records of Rhode Island 1636-1850: A Family Register for the People. 21 Volumes. Providence, Rhode Island: Narragansett Historical Publishing, 1891-1912. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Collection book 974.5 V2a and available on microfilm. The town records that are indexed in this collection are listed in Genealogical Research in New England,. Crandall, Ralph J., ed. Genealogical Research in New England, p. 175-78. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1984. FS Library Collection book 974 D27gr.
• Vital Records of Rhode Island, New Series This contains abstracts of probate, cemetery, marriage, death, and other records that give evidence of vital information for Kent, Newport and Washington counties.
• Alphabetical Index of the Births, Marriages and Deaths Recorded in Providence This includes records for 1636 to 1945. (The FamilySearch Library has Volumes. 1-25, 27, 29-32.

New England Marriages Prior to 1700 is a collection of pre-1700 marriage records compiled by Clarence Torrey. The New England Historic Genealogical Society has the original manuscript collection. The FamilySearch Library has a film copy. An index to the marriages is Clarence Almon Torrey, New England Marriages Prior to 1700. FamilySearch Library have Mr. Torrey's source notes. A supplement has been published, Melinda Lutz Sanborn, Supplement to Torrey's Marriages Prior to 1700

The FamilySearch Library has an extensive collection of pre-1900 Rhode Island town vital records. For example, 19 microfilms from the city registrar of Providence include birth, marriage, and death records (1698-1879) and indexes (1636-1900). These are listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under

RHODE ISLAND, PROVIDENCE, PROVIDENCE - VITAL RECORDS.

You can also write to the town clerks for information.

State Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths

Statewide registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in January 1853 and, by 1915, was generally complied with. The FamilySearch Library has not obtained copies of the state records.

Copies of marriage and death records from 1853 to 1964 are available at the Rhode Island State Records Center. All birth, marriage, and death records since 1853 are at:

Rhode Island Department of Health
Vital Records
#3 Capitol Hill Room 101
Providence RI 02908-5097
Telephone 401-277-2812
Internet: Office of Vital Records

Cause of Death

• Causes of Death - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate

Substitute Records

Rhode Island Church Records

Rhode Island Cemetery Records

Rhode Island Census

Rhode Island Newspapers

Rhode Island Obituaries

Rhode Island Military Records

Rhode Island Periodicals

Tips

• Information listed on vital records is given by an informant.  Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record.  The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
• If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governmentts, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial.  A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
• Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records.  Copies of some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
• Search for Vital Records in the FamilySearch Catalog by using a Place Search and then choosing Vital Records.  Search for Rhode Island to locate records filed by the State and then search the name of the county to locate records kept by the county.

Archives, Libraries and Societies

Rhode Island Archives and Libraries

Rhode Island Societies

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

This website requires a paid subscription for full access. Some subscription websites are available for free at your local FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library.

International Genealogical Index (FamilySearch) - free

International Genealogical Index (FamilySearch) - free