Rhode Island, State Census, 1915 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of images and an index to population schedules of the census of Rhode Island taken by the state in 1915. The 1915 state census of Rhode Island lists residents as of April 15, 1915. Residents are listed by household and relationship to head of household is given. Children born after April 15, 1915 were not included. The census is arranged by county and then enumeration district. Enumeration Districts 108 through 113 (Cranston, Ward 2) are missing.

The census was compiled to obtain a count of the population of the state to determine how many representatives the state would send to Congress. Rhode Island began taking its own census every ten years on the half-decade year between 1865 and 1935. The 1895 state census is missing.

Censuses are usually reliable, depending on the knowledge of the informant and the care of the census enumerator. Information may have been given to a census taker by any member of the family or by a neighbor. Some information may have been incorrect or deliberately falsified. Population schedules were handwritten on printed forms by the enumerators.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The age of your ancestor
 * The town where your ancestor lived

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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * Try searching by surname only
 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

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 state census, 1915

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * United States Census, 1910
 * United States Census, 1920
 * Rhode Island State Census 1885
 * Rhode Island State Census 1905
 * Rhode Island State Census 1925
 * Rhode Island State Census 1935

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.