Rhode Island Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection is an index of deaths and burials for the years 1802 to 1950 taken from the following sources in the state of Rhode Island:

Microfilm copies of these records are avilable at the FamilySearch Library and Family History Centers. This set contains 846,069 records. Church records and civil registration were official sources and are some of the most reliable sources of family history information. Cure to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier or later. This index is not complete for any particular place, region or time period. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index.
 * Indexed church records
 * Civil registrations
 * The Internet indexing project sponsored by The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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

Death / Burial • 3

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 approximate date of death
 * The residence of your ancestor
 * The names of other relatives

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.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s death record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Print or download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. Add this new information to your records of each family.

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

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Search for a cemetery record
 * Search for an obituary in a local newspaper
 * Search for the family in census records
 * Search church records for additional information about the family
 * Search for probate records

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Rhode Island.
 * Rhode Island Guided Research
 * Rhode Island Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Rhode Island Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Rhode Island mortality schedules, 1850-1880
 * Frank T Calef, Genealogical index Rhode Island records

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Rhode Island Town Deaths Index, 1639-1932
 * Rhode Island, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630-1945
 * Rhode Island, Vital records, 1846-1898, 1901-1953

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * compiled by The Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Projects, Work Projects Administration ; sponsor: state of Rhode Island, Department of State : Record Commissioner.  Guide to the public vital statistics records (births, marriages, deaths) in the state of Rhode Island and Providence plantations : containing chronologies of the legislation relating to or affecting the records together with an outline of the civic division of the state. Providence, Rhode Island : Historical Records Survey (Rhode Island), 1941
 * James N. Arnold, Vital record of Rhode Island, 1636-1850 : first series: births, marriages, and deaths; a family register for the people 21 volumes. Providence, Rhode Island : Narragansett Historical, 1891-1912

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.