Photo of the Scholfields commercial college, from The East Providence Directory, 1896
Photo of the Scholfields commercial college, from The East Providence Directory, 1896.

Rhode Island directories date back to the 19th century and document residents in cities like Providence and Newport. These records list names, occupations, and addresses, offering insights into the different migration waves to one of America’s earliest industrialized states. Given Rhode Island’s maritime and textile history, business directories provide crucial information about shipbuilders, merchants, and mill workers. Additional sources such as voter registrations, land ownership records, and professional listings help genealogists trace their ancestors in the smallest U.S. state.


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Directories, Guides & References


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APA citation (7th Ed.)

Maor Malul. (2025, February 18). *Rhode Island directories index*. MyHeritage Wiki. https://www.myheritage.com/wiki/Rhode_Island_directories_index