Research Your Family History in Providence, Rhode Island

Providence is the Capital City of Rhode Island. As such, it houses all of the state's great resources. The State Library, as well as the local Providence library, is open to the public. In addition, the Providence Athenaeum, an historical library, is open to the public. So if you are trying to research your family history, there is plenty of information available to you here.

Luckily, all of these places have an online presence as well. But for a complete search, and to surround yourself with the feel of the past, it is also good to go visit these places in person. In addition, all libraries have personnel available to assist you with your research.

Again, because it does not take that long to travel from one end of the state to the other, you can visit any City Hall/Town Hall for records. Most New England records go back many generations, so be sure to visit the individual places for information. Hours vary, so call ahead. In fact, in the smallest towns, if you call ahead, they may even assign a local historian to assist you!

Providence City Hall is a bit more intimidating, but records can be accessed. You may need to put in a formal request for certain records, but you can call ahead, or go to the State of Rhode Island's web page (www.providenceri.com) to check out what may be available. An in-person visit can also be quite enlightening. City Hall is located at 25 Dorrance Street. Downtown Providence has an impressive range of architectural building styles and can be reached easily by bus.

Providence also houses the only state-wide daily newspaper - the paper "of record", The Providence Journal. Today, instead of sifting through dusty stacks of old newspapers, there is an electronic database available any time of the day or night. Go to www.projo.com and sign up for an account (there is no cost) and begin your search of the archives.

In the newspaper archives be sure to include a search of names, obituaries, weddings, and events. We are currently at the anniversary of a terrible tradgedy in Rhode Island - The Station Nightclub Fire. All of the names of those who perished are available in the articles.

The State Library was created in 1852. Its primary function is to assist members of the General Assembly with research on the preparation of proposed legislation. However, it is open to the public Monday - Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 and when the General Assembly is in session. The library is located on the second floor of the Rhode Island State House on Smith Street in Providence. It can be found online at www.sec.state.ri.us/library.

The Providence Public Library is located at 150 Empire Street. Its records are quite comprehensive. Its online catalog is available at www.prov.lib.org. Hours open to the public are Monday & Thursday noon to 9pm, Tuesday & Wednesday 10am to 6pm, Friday & Saturday 9am to 5:30pm, and Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Electronic records are also accessible inside the library.

An interesting historical and cultural storehouse is the Providence Athenaeum at 251 Benefit Street. It is the fourth oldest in the United States. Its general information can be accessed online at www.providenceathenaeum.org. If your relatives participated in local history or were part of the militia or any fraternal organization, this is a good source for you. While it is, in fact, a private library, it is open to the public. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.

As always, be sure to interview friends and relatives. They are often great sources for starting points.