Rhode Island, United States Genealogy

Guide to Rhode Island ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

Rhode Island Information
Rhode Island is a state in the northeast portion of the United States. The capital is Providence and it is divided into 5 counties. Rhode Island was the 13th state to ratify the Constitution on 29 May 1790. Rhode Island was created from the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, then Sovereign state in Confederation.

Rhode Island Clickable Map
Many genealogy records are kept on the county level in the United States. Click on a county below to go to the county Wiki article listing more information.

Counties
Extinct or Renamed Counties: Dominion of New England· Massachusetts Bay Colony· New Netherland· King's· Plymouth Colony· Providence Plantations· Rhode Island

Rhode Island Migration Routes
Atlantic Coast Ports· Long Island Sound· Narragansett Bay· Taunton River· Blackstone Valley· King's Highway· Old Roebuck Road· Pequot Path

FamilySearch Resources
Below are FamilySearch resources that can assist you in researching your family.
 * Facebook Communities - Facebook groups discussing genealogy research
 * Learning Center - Online genealogy courses
 * Historical Records - databases and record images on FamilySearch
 * Family History Center locator map

Additional Resources

 * edited by Rhonda R. McClure, Genealogist's handbook for New England research 6th ed. Boston, Massachusetts : New England Historic Genealogical Society®, 2022 FS Library 974 D27mr
 * Ralph J. Crandell, Genealogical research in New England Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1984 FS Library 974 D27gr
 * American ancestors : newsmagazine of the New England Historic Genealogical Society Boston, Massachusetts : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010- FS Library 974 D25nea
 * Rhode Island Research Outline – Original FamilySearch Library research outline; contains many out of date links
 * Diane MacLean Boumenot and Maureen Alice Taylor, Research in Rhode Island Arlington, Virginia : National Geographic Society, 2018 FS Library 974.5 D27ngs
 * Rhode Island Roots Providence, Rhode Island : Rhode Island Genealogical Society, 1975- FS Library 974. D25r
 * Cyndi's List - Rhode Island genealogy sites on the internet
 * Rhode Island Genealogy Trails - collection of transcribed data for the state of Rhode Island
 * Access Genealogy – Genealogy guide for Rhode Island
 * Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness - Guide to Ancestry and Family Tree Records for Rhode Island
 * Rhode Island County Creation Dates and Parent Counties