Rhode Island history and genealogy

Rhode Island titles we currently own -- and our plan for publishing them:

We've considered how to divide the material in our Rhode Island and Providence Plantations collection into at least three CD-ROMs, and eventually -- because we are always collecting more -- perhaps even more than that.

We've considered that, back in colonial times, Rhode Islanders were noted for their unusually sharp elbows, and tried to keep our Rhode Island (and Providence Plantations) ancestors who might not have seen eye to eye three or four hundred years ago on different CD-ROMs.

Accordingly, we've divided Rhode Island into three sections: Providence and north, Warwick and south, and the area east of Narragansett Bay.

In honor of our ancestor, Samuel Gorton, the first to appear is the CD-ROM covering Warwick and the area south and west. This CD-ROM is ready now.

PROVIDENCE and north:

A Brief Sketch of the Establishment of the High School, Providence (1878) (129 pages)

This booklet includes lists of the teachers and students from 1843 to 1878, as well as illustrations of the school and floor plans. We think that this compilation of students and teachers is probably unique, and virtually a necessity if you are doing biographical or genealogical research about people who lived in Providence in that time frame. The lists of students are by year of entry, further subdivided by academic -- or gender -- specialty (e.g. classical, English and scientific, and girls department). Obviously it is also potentially useful for anyone studying the history of education.
PROVIDENCE, RI: List of Persons Assessed in the City Tax (June 1840) (60 pages)

This list includes full names of persons (and businesses) assessed that year. Included are valuations of real and personal property, as well as the amount of the tax assessed. Both resident and non-resident are included. "People of Color" are listed separately, making this a particularly useful source for information about the economic situation of African Americans in Rhode Island in the pre-Civil War period.

Manual of the Richmond Street Congregational Church, Providence, RI (1857) (23 pages)

While this thin paper-bound volume also includes the Articles of Faith, Covenant, and Articles of Discipline of this Congregational Church, most will find the list of members of greatest interest. Members are grouped by the year in which they joined the church, and the list indicates whether the member joined by letter (transfer from another Congregational Church) or by profession (by making a public statement of their beliefs). In all, useful not only for the obvious genealogical value but also for an example of how Congregationalism worked in the capital city of a state founded in the interests of promoting religious freedom.

20th Reunion of the class of 1934 of Central High School, Providence (1954)

68 pages. This is a gem of recent genealogical information. Most of the booklet is composed of biographies (circa 1954) of members of the 1934 Central HS class. Current addresses (at least current as of 1954), where they went to college, their military service, whom they married, children, occupations. Even most those who did not furnish biographies are listed with their then-current address, and the 59 classmates who could not be located are listed as well. There's an "in memoriam" page, and several pages of ads of local businesses.

Follies of 1950 - the Junior League of Providence

A program booklet (48 pages plus covers) for a benefit revue by that organization. Lots of ads as well as names and photos of League members/performers. An interesting curiosity; the ads particularly make one aware how far back in history 1950 really is anymore.

Photos and maps

WARWICK and south:

This CD-ROM is available now. Learn more about the Warwick and the South CD-ROM.

EAST of the Narragansett Bay

The History of Warren, Rhode Island in the War of the Revolution, 1776-1783

(1901), by Virginia Baker (68 pages)

to send us a message regarding your interest in this material. We really do care what our prospective customers think, and we do prioritize our projects based on what people tell us they want to see (although we admit that personal interest does play a part, sometimes). Our decision to go ahead with the "Warwick and south" CD-ROM was triggered by an e-mail from someone else descended from Samuel Gorton!