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Bristol County, Rhode Island

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
• County Census Records • County Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records •
• County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records • County Links and Websites •

Bristol County was created on February 17, 1747 and was formed from Newport County. The old county seat was the City of Bristol. Created from land gained from Bristol County, Massachusetts after resolution of a boundary dispute between the two colonies. Bristol County was named for City of Bristol, England.

Bristol County is bordered by Bristol County, Massachusetts (east), Providence County (north), Kent County (west), Newport County (south)

Bristol County Cities, towns, and villages (Villages are census division, but have no separate corporate existence from the towns they are in.) include Barrington, Bristol, Warren.

See Extended History for More information.

Below is a list of online resources for Bristol County Family Trees, web forums and other type information dealing with this county.

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Bristol County, RI Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records

See Also Rhode Island Land Records, Marriage Records, Court, Tax & Probate Records or Research In Court Records, Research In Probate Records,

The major genealogical use for counties in Rhode Island is the pursuit of court records and federal census returns. Before 1729 there were no county courts in Rhode Island. Some of the vital records have been published in “county” groups, but the records themselves exist only on a town level. Modern court records are at the superior court at the county seat; earlier ones have been moved (see Court Records).

Barrington was established in 1653 and incorporated in 1770 from Barrington, Massachusetts. It has Land Records from 1770, Probate Records from 1770 and Court Records from 1770. Villages include , Annawomscutt, Bay Spring, Hampden Meadows, Nyatt, Rumstick Point, West Barrington. Originally created in 1717 as Barrington, Massachusetts, it was ceded to Rhode Island in 1747 as part of the town of Warren. Barrington, Rhode Island, a new town, was set off from Warren in 1770. Barrington, Massachusetts records between 1717 and 1747 are in Bristol County; 1747—70 in the Warren town clerk’s office. This office has the meeting records for the town since 1718 More info.

Bristol was established in 1680 and incorporated in 1746 from Bristol, Massachusetts. It has Land Records from 1747, Probate Records from 1747 and Court Records from 1747. Villages include Beach Terrace, Bristol Highlands, Bristol Narrows, Castle Island, Popasquash Point, Seal Island, Walker Island. Part of Plymouth Colony, 1681—86, then Bristol Co. Mass. Ceded to Rhode Island, 1747. See Taunton, Massachusetts, for earlier records. More info.

Warren was established in 1620 and incorporated in 1747 from Barrington, Rehoboth and Swansea, Mass.. It has Land Records from 1747, Probate Records from 1747 and Court Records from 1747. Villages include Burr Hill, Coggeshall, East Warren, Kickamuit, South Warren, Touisset. See Bristol County, Northern District, Taunton, Massachusetts, for earlier records. More info

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Bristol County, RI Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Rhode Island or Research In Vital Records

Rhode Island State Vital Records Office, Rhode Island Dept of Health, 3 Capitol Hill, Rm. 101, Providence, RI 02908-5097; (401) 222-2811. It hasBirth and Marriage Records from 1899 to present and Death Records from 1949 to present (see Vital Records for more detailed information).

Please be advised that in most cases you will receive your records more quickly from the City and Town locations than from the State Office or Vital Records from Archives.com: Order Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records Online!

State and National Research

Statewide Information for Rhode Island Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records, Land Records, Marriage Records, Tax, Court & Probate Records, Census Records, Church & Cemetery Records, Military Records, State Genealogical and Historical Addresses.

Nationwide Information for United States Census Records, Court Records, Probate Records, Tax Records, Land Records, Military Records, Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records, Church & Cemetery Records, Immigration Records and State & County Maps.

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Bristol County, RI Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Rhode Island

Bristol County Census Records - Federal Population Schedules that exist for Bristol County, Rhode Island are 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.

Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Union Veterans Schedules were conducted in 1890.

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Bristol County, RI History

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Bristol County Links

Submit a website or link for Bristol County

Bristol County Family Histroy Site Links - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher. When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide.

Bristol County Court, Probate, Land, Immigration, and Tax Record Links - Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

Bristol County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Record Links - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Bristol County Census Record Links - Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Bristol County Military Record Links - Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

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Bristol County Church Links

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Bristol County Cemetery Links - Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

Bristol County Map & Atlas Links

Bristol County General Genealogy Links

  • Submit a website for Bristol Co. General Genealogy Links
  • Bristol County Reference Materials & Finding Aids - Reference materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other how-to books, can be tremendously helpful in finding and interpreting historical documents. Many of these books can help you learn where to look for more information and how to use what you've already found to uncover more clues.
  • Bristol County Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Bristol County Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • Rhode Island Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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