Rhode Island Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection is an electronic database of birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Rhode Island covering events from 1600 through 1914. This index is not complete for any particular place, region or time period. Many records predate Rhode Island statehood. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Birth / Christening
 * Name of the child
 * Gender
 * Names of the parents
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Christening date (if the source is a church record)
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

Coverage Table
This collection is a partial index of records for the localities listed below as of April 2010. The table below shows the number of records by locality. Most of these records date from the time period indicated in the collection title. However, there may be records before and after these dates. As this is an index of records compiled from various sources, it is strongly recommended that you verify the information in original records. Due to privacy laws not all records may be displayed.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The date of birth
 * The place of birth

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Look at an image of the original record, if possible. The original may contain information that was not recorded in the index
 * Use the information to find other records such as marriage, death, or census records
 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname, unless the surname is a common surname. This list can help you identify possible relatives that can be verified by records

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Try viewing any original indexes to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames, middles name, or an abbreviation of their given name

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Rhode Island.
 * Rhode Island Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.