1. Genealogical Research in Rhode Island
PZ Horton
May 31, 2015

7. Religion Catchall
R.I. was never governed by Congregationalists (Puritans)
Baptists / Antinomian 1636
Gortonists 1638
Jews 1658
Church of England (Episcopal) 1698
Quakers 1699

8. Governing Timeline
1636 – Providence Plantations founded by Roger Williams
1638 – Pocasett settled by Anne Hutchinson group (now Portsmouth)
Shawomet Purchase Samuel Gorton (now Warwick)
1644 – Chartered as English Colony
1663 – Royal Charter with religious freedom and own Governor
1686 – 1691 – Province under Dominion of New England
1691 – 1775 – Reverted to Royal Charter with Governor
1776 – Rebel Colony
1790 – Ratification of Statehood

9. Cities Formed before 1700 1636 – Providence 1638 – Portsmouth *
1639 – Newport
1642 – Warwick
1669 – Westerly *
1672 – New Shoreham * (Block Island)
1674 – North Kingston *
1677 – East Greenwich *
1678 – Jamestown *
* = Township

10. Counties Formed in Rhode Island
1636 – 1702 – City government
1703
Providence Plantation (1729 changed to Providence)
Rhode Island (dissolved 1729)
1729
Kings (1781 changed to Washington)
Newport
1747
Bristol (from Massachusetts)
1750
Kent
Counties have no formal government

11. Tips
History is town based; no county records; look in neighboring towns
Old histories may have flaws; double-source your work
Look for family histories
Look for topic specific sources; i.e., shipping, military, religious

12. Books – New England
A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England; Farmer, John
A Genealogical Register of the First Settlers of New England; Savage, James
Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research; 5th Edition, Leclerc, Micheal
New England Marriages Prior to 1700; Torrey, Clarence (and supplements)
New Englanders in the 1600s; Hollick, Martin
Book in GRHGC Library
* = ebook on TNGS server

13. Books – New England
Founders of Early American Families; Colket, Meredith
New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial; Cutter, William
New England Historical and Genealogical Register (some volumes)
The Great Migration; Anderson, Robert
The Great Migration Begins; Anderson, Robert
Book in GRHGC Library
* = ebook on TNGS server

14. Books – Rhode Island
History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; Arnold, Samuel G *
The Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island; Austin, John
The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; Bicknell, Thomas *
Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; Bartlett, John *
Vital Records of Rhode Island: ; Arnold, James N
The Narragansett Historical Register; Arnold, James N *
Book in GRHGC Library
* = ebook on TNGS server

15. Books – Rhode Island
Documentary History of Rhode Island; Chapin, Howard *
Rhode Island Roots
Spirit of ‘76 in Rhode Island; Cowell, Benjamin
Census of the Inhabitants of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 1774; Bartlett, John
Book in GRHGC Library
* = ebook on TNGS server

16. Societies / Libraries
New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston
Rhode Island Genealogical Society
Rhode Island Historical Society
Rhode Island State Archives
Rhode Island State Library
Rhode Island Historical Records Advisory Board

17. Historical Societies in Rhode Island
Burrillville Historical and Preservation Society
Charlestown Historical Society
Cranston Historical Society
East Providence Historical Society
Jamestown Historical Society
Johnston Historical Society
Little Compton Historical Society
Newport Historical Society
Pawtuxet Valley Historical Society
Pettaquamscutt Historical Society
Tiverton Historical Society on FaceBook
Westerly Historical Society

18. Websites
RI Historical Cemetery Commission
Vital Records