Rhode Island Research Tips and Strategies: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
*'''''Statewide registration:''''' Birth and Death records in Rhode Island on the state level start in 1853 and registration was generally complied with by 1915. | *'''''Statewide registration:''''' Birth and Death records in Rhode Island on the state level start in 1853 and registration was generally complied with by 1915. | ||
*'''''Town Records:''''' Town records starting as early as the 1630s included information about birth, marriage, and death. | *'''''Town Records:''''' Town records starting as early as the 1630s included information about birth, marriage, and death. | ||
*'''''Access to records:''''' See [[ | *'''''Access to records:''''' See [[Rhode Island Vital Records]] for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Rhode Island. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
'''Substitute Records:''' | '''Substitute Records:''' | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
*'''''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. | *'''''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. | *'''''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 [[ | *'''''List of substitute records:''''' See [[Rhode Island Substitute Records|Rhode Island Substitute Records]] for more information. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
'''Finding Parents:''' | '''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. | *'''''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 [[ | *'''''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 [[ | *'''''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> | <br> | ||
'''Census Records:''' | '''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 [[ | *'''''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. | *'''''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. | *'''''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. | ||
Revision as of 15:16, 21 February 2025
| Rhode Island Wiki Topics |
|
| Beginning Research |
| Record Types |
|
| Rhode Island Background |
| Cultural Groups |
| Local Research Resources |
|
Purpose of Research Tips and Strategies Wiki Page |
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 Online Genealogy Records
- How to find Rhode Island Birth Records
- How to find Rhode Island Marriage Records
- How to find Rhode Island Death Records
Rhode Island Research Tips[edit | edit source]
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.
- Town Records: Town records starting as early as the 1630s included information about birth, marriage, and death.
- 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[edit | edit source]
- Remember, for a more complete Record Finder, covering additional research needs, see Rhode Island Record Finder.
- For online record collections, go to Rhode Island Online Genealogy Records.
- For more research on Rhode Island, including research at the county level, visit the Rhode Island page on the Research Wiki.
- Search all of the Rhode Island record collections at FamilySearch.