Rhode Island Vital Records

Introduction to Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. United States Vital Records has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Rhode Island Vital Records State Department of Health or the Town Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.

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Vital Records Reference Dates
Rhode Island vital records start the following years:


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Rhode Island Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online
The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Rhode Island Vital Records which consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths. Most online resources for Rhode Island Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to confirm the information in the index.


 * Rhode Island Databases listed on Rootsweb.com
 * USGenWeb.org Rhode Island Site
 * Search for Rhode Island Collections on FamilySearch.org under United States
 * Wee Monster Links for Rhode Island Island Birth and Marriage and Death Records - Free/$
 * Linkpendium Links for Rhode Island Genealogy and History, including individual Counties - Free/$
 * Search the Rhode Island Birth, Marriage &amp; Death Records at Ancestry - $
 * Order Rhode Island Certificates online - $


 * 1630-1945 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1636-1850 Vital records of Rhode Island, 1636-1850: a family register for the people Links Vol. 1-21
 * 1636-1850 American Ancestors Rhode Island Vital Records, 1636–1850 ($)
 * 1636-1899 Vital record of Rhode Island, 1636-1850, first series, births, marriages and deaths a family register for the people($)
 * 1636-1899 Rhode Island, Vital Extracts, 1636-1899 at Ancestry - index & images, ($)
 * 1671-1899 Rhode Island Church Records 1671-1899 at Findmypast - index ($)
 * Rhode Island Vital Records, index
 * 1846-1898, 1901-1953 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Births

Marriages
 * 1600-1914 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1600-1935 Rhode Island Births & Baptisms 1600-1935 at Findmypast - index ($)
 * 1636-1930 Rhode Island, Births, 1636-1930 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1639-1932 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1800-1855 Rhode Island and Pawtucket, Massachusetts Birth Index, 1800-1855 at Ancestry - index & images, ($)
 * 1819, 1852-1900 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images


 * 1522-1989 United States Marriages – Rhode Island, 1522-1989 at Findmypast - index & images, ($)
 * pre 1700 U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 at Ancestry - index & images, ($)
 * 1724-1916 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1851-1920 Rhode Island, Marriages, 1851-1920 at Ancestry - index ($)

Deaths


 * 1628-1930 Rhode Island Deaths & Burials 1628-1930 at Findmypast - index ($)
 * 1639-1932 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index These records contain some marriages and births.
 * 1630-1930 Rhode Island, Deaths, 1630-1930 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Commission, index, incomplete.
 * 1802-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1935-2014 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * starts 1962 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 2013-2017 Rhode Island, Deaths, 2013-2017 at MyHeritage - index ($)
 * Online Rhode Island Death Records and Indexes

Town Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths
Records of births, marriages, and deaths have been kept by town clerks since the 1630s. In 1700 the laws concerning vital records registration were made more specific, and the records after that time are more complete.

An index to many pre-1850 births and marriages in Rhode Island is the International Genealogical Index found at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch Centers. Also use compiled collections and indexes, such as Calef's and others described in Rhode Island Genealogy. Town minutes and land evidences sometimes also give vital statistics information.

The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces. Hyattsville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993; FamilySearch Library book 973 V24wv. Copies of this booklet are at the FamilySearch Library and many FamilySearch Centers. You can also write to the Division of Vital Statistics for current information. Members of an incorporated genealogical society may view and copy the records.


 * Gretna Greens. When an eloping Rhode Island couple's marriage is not in their home town, search for it in alternate places like Elkton, Cecil, Maryland, or Prince William County, VA.

Divorce Records
Early divorce records were recorded in the supreme court records. Divorce records 1905 to present are at:

Clerk of Family Court 1 Dorrance Plaza Providence, RI 02903 Telephone: 401-277-3340 Office of Vital Records

Inventory of Vital Records
The history and availability of vital records is described in Guide to the Public Vital Statistics Records: Births, Marriages, Deaths, in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Providence, Rhode Island: Historical Records Survey, 1941; ; book 974.5 V2h; film 982351; fiche 6046673

FamilySearch Library Rhode Island Vital Records Collections
Many of the births, marriages, and deaths recorded in town records have been extracted and are part of the database that can be searched by name on the home page of FamilySearch. Formerly these records were a part of the International Genealogical Index (IGI). Also use compiled collections and indexes, such as Calef's and others described in Rhode Island Genealogy. Town minutes and land evidences sometimes also give vital statistics information.

Many vital records have been published in genealogical periodicals and other sources, including:


 * Vital Records of Rhode Island 1636-1850: A Family Register for the People Arnold, James N. Vital Records of Rhode Island 1636-1850: A Family Register for the People. 21 Volumes. Providence, Rhode Island: Narragansett Historical Publishing, 1891-1912. ; book 974.5 V2a and available on microfilm. The town records that are indexed in this collection are listed in Genealogical Research in New England,. Crandall, Ralph J., ed. Genealogical Research in New England, p. 175-78. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1984.  book 974 D27gr.
 * Vital Records of Rhode Island, New Series This contains abstracts of probate, cemetery, marriage, death, and other records that give evidence of vital information for Kent, Newport and Washington counties.
 * Alphabetical Index of the Births, Marriages and Deaths Recorded in Providence This includes records for 1636 to 1945. (The FamilySearch Library has Volumes. 1-25, 27, 29-32.

New England Marriages Prior to 1700 is a collection of pre-1700 marriage records compiled by Clarence Torrey. The New England Historic Genealogical Society has the original manuscript collection. The FamilySearch Library has a film copy. An index to the marriages is Clarence Almon Torrey, New England Marriages Prior to 1700. FamilySearch Library have Mr. Torrey's source notes. A supplement has been published, Melinda Lutz Sanborn, Supplement to Torrey's Marriages Prior to 1700 

The FamilySearch Library has an extensive collection of pre-1900 Rhode Island town vital records. For example, 19 microfilms from the city registrar of Providence include birth, marriage, and death records (1698-1879) and indexes (1636-1900). These are listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under


 * RHODE ISLAND, PROVIDENCE, PROVIDENCE - VITAL RECORDS.

You can also write to the town clerks for information.

State Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths
Statewide registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in January 1853 and, by 1915, was generally complied with. The FamilySearch Library has not obtained copies of the state records.

Copies of marriage and death records from 1853 to 1964 are available at the Rhode Island State Records Center. All birth, marriage, and death records since 1853 are at:

Rhode Island Department of Health Vital Records #3 Capitol Hill Room 101  Providence RI 02908-5097 Telephone 401-277-2812 Internet: Office of Vital Records

Cause of Death

 * Causes of Death - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate

Substitute Records
Rhode Island Church Records

Rhode Island Cemetery Records

Rhode Island Census

Rhode Island Newspapers

Rhode Island Obituaries

Rhode Island Military Records

Rhode Island Periodicals

Tips

 * Information listed on vital records is given by an informant. Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record.  The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
 * If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governmentts, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial. A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
 * Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records. Copies of some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
 * Search for Vital Records in the FamilySearch Catalog by using a Place Search and then choosing Vital Records. Search for Rhode Island to locate records filed by the State and then search the name of the county to locate records kept by the county.

Archives, Libraries and Societies
Rhode Island Archives and Libraries

Rhode Island Societies