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Washington 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 •

Washington County was created on June 3, 1729 and was formed as Kings County from part of Providence Plantations County. Renamed Washington County in 1781. Washington County was named for George Washington, American Revolutionary War general and first President of the USA.

Washington County is bordered by Windham County, Connecticut (northwest), Kent County (north), Bristol County (northeast), New London County, Connecticut (west), Newport County (east), Suffolk County, New York (southwest), Dukes County, Massachusetts

Washington County Cities, towns, and villages include Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton (villages include Ashaway, Hope Valley), Narragansett (villages include Gallilee, Narragansett Pier), New Shoreham, North Kingstown (villages include Wickford, Saunderstown), Richmond (villages include Kenyon, Shannock, Usquepaug, Wyoming), South Kingstown (villages include Kingston, Peacedale, Wakefield), Westerly (villages include Bradford, Watch Hill)

See Extended History for More information.

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

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Washington 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).

Charlestown was established in 1669 and incorporated in 1738 from Westerly. It has Land Records from 1738, Probate Records from 1738 and Court Records from 1738. Villages include Burdickville, Carolina, Cross Mill, Kenyon, Quonochontaug, Shannock, Watchaug, Wood River Junction. Charlestown Town Clerk, 4540 South County Trail, Charlestown, RI 02813; Phone: 401-364-1200. More info

Exeter was established in 1641 and incorporated in 1641 from North Kingstown. It has Land Records from 1742, Probate Records from 1742 and Court Records from 1742. Villages include Arcadia, Austin, Black Plain, Fisherville, Lewis City, Liberty, Millville. Exeter Town Clerks Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI 02822; Phone: 401-294-3891. More info

Hopkinton was established in 1639 and incorporated in 1757 from Westerly. It has Land Records from 1757, Probate Records from 1757 and Court Records from 1757. Villages include Alton, Ashaway, Barberville, Bethel, Brightman Hill, Burdickville, Canonchet, Centerville, Champlin Hill, Hope Valley, Locustville, Moscow, Potter Hill, Rockville, Woodville, Wyoming, Yawgoog. Hopkinton Town Clerk, 1 Townhouse Road, Hopkinton, RI 02833; Phone: 401-377-7777. More info

Narragansett was established in 1888 and incorporated in 1901 from South Kingstown District, 1888. It has Land Records from 1888, Probate Records from 1901 and Court Records from 1901. Villages include Anawan Cliffs, Bonnet Shores, Cedar Point, Galilee, Great Island, Jerusalem, Narragansett Pier, Point Judith, Sand Hill Cove, Saunderstown, Scarborough, South Ferry, Wesquage. Was a district before becoming a town; 1888—1901 records in S. Kingstown. Proprietor’s records are in print: James Arnold, The Fones Record (1894; reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1990). More info

Richmond was established in 1669 and incorporated in 1747 from Charlestown. It has Land Records from 1747, Probate Records from 1747 and Court Records from 1747. Villages include Alton, Arcadia, Carolina, Elmhurst, Hillsdale, Kenyon, Shannock, Usequepaug, Wood River Junction, Woodville, Wyoming. Richmond Town Clerk, 5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898; Phone: 401-539-2497. More info

South Kingstown was established in 1657 and incorporated in 1723 from Kingstown. It has Land Records from 1674, Probate Records from 1674 and Court Records from 1674. Villages include Bridgetown, Glenn Rock, Gould Crossing, Green Hill, Kingston, Matunuck, Peace Dale, Perryville, Rocky Brook, Tower Hill, Usequepaug, Wakefield, West Kingston. Kingstown divided into North and South in 1723. Records before that date were in North Kingston, but damaged in 1870. Copies are here. More info

Westerly (called Haversham, 1686–89) was established in 1661 and incorporated in 1669 as an original town. It has Land Records from 1669, Probate Records from 1669 and Court Records from 1669. Villages include Avondale, Bradford, Dunn's Corners, Haversham, Misquamicut, Napatree Point, Pleasant Hill, Pleasant View, Potter Hill, Sandy Point, Shelter Harbor, Stillmanville, Watch Hill, Weekapaug, White Rock, Winnapaug. Westerly Town Hall, Town Hall, Westerly, RI 02891; Phone: 401-348-2500. More info

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Washington 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! Washington County Vital Records Office, 4800 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879; Telephone: (401) 841-8350

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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Kent County Census Records

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

Washington County Census Records - Federal Population Schedules that exist for Washington 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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Washington County History

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Washington County Links

Submit a website or link for Washington County

Washington 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.

Washington 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.

Washington 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.

Washington 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

Washington 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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Washington County Church Links

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Washington 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.

Washington County Map & Atlas Links

Washington County General Genealogy Links

  • Submit a website for Washington Co. General Genealogy Links
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Rhode Island Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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