Rhode Island Genealogy Search — at a Glance
Visit publicrecordcenter.com to discover your Rhode Island ancestry and family history, start a family tree, browse ancestors, RI genealogy, census records and more state resources online
State Archives
Official repository for government records older than the state's retention threshold.
Historical Societies
Private non-profit archives — often hold manuscripts, photos, and local records.
Vital Records
Older birth/death/marriage/divorce certificates relevant to genealogy.
Census & Immigration
NARA federal census (1790–1950), passenger manifests, naturalization.
Land & Probate
County recorders for deeds; probate court for wills and estates.
Federal & National
NARA, Library of Congress, FamilySearch, and the DAR.
1Rhode Island Genealogy
Rhode Island statewide genealogy links
- Rhode Island Department of Health Vital Recordshealth.ri.govVital Records
- Family History Centers in Rhode Islandfamilysearch.orgFamily History Center
- Rhode Island Historical Society Research Librarywww.rihs.orgHistorical Society
- Rhode Island Cemeteries Databaserihistoriccemeteries.orgCemetery Database
- Rhode Island USGenWeb Genealogy and History Projectplymouthcolony.netSearch USGenWeb Archives
- Rhode Island Genealogical Societywww.rigensoc.orgGenealogical Society
- Rhode Island Historical Records Advisory Boardsos.ri.govHistorical and Preservation Societies
2Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Rhode Island's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Rhode Island state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The federal government's primary archive. Holds the U.S. census (1790–1950), ship passenger lists, naturalization records, military service files, and land entry files.
https://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy (archives.gov)
Free online genealogy platform operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Digitized microfilm copies of many county and state records worldwide.
https://www.familysearch.org/ (familysearch.org)
The LoC's research guides, city directories, newspapers, and Civil War records, most accessible free online through loc.gov.
https://guides.loc.gov/genealogy (loc.gov)
Genealogy Search by State
Genealogy Search is organized by state. Select another state to see its guide.
Rhode Island Genealogy Search — FAQ
Is the 1950 census released?
Yes. Under the 72-year rule, the 1950 U.S. Census was released by NARA on April 1, 2022 and is free to search on archives.gov and familysearch.org.
How do I request a military service record?
NARA's National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis holds military service records. Requests use SF-180 and are free for the veteran or next of kin.
Do I need a paid subscription to do genealogy?
No. FamilySearch, Archives.gov, the Library of Congress, and most state archives provide substantial free access. Commercial services (Ancestry, MyHeritage) add convenience and private trees but not exclusive records.
Where are vital records for the 1800s kept?
Before state-level vital registration (roughly 1890–1920 depending on state), most births, deaths, and marriages were recorded only by the county, the church, or the family Bible. State archives and FamilySearch are the primary starting points for that era.