A RIGS Member Benefit
Research Assistance
Looking for an ancestor or record in Rhode Island? RIGS members may request limited research assistance from experienced society volunteers.
Local Knowledge
Help With Your Rhode Island Research
Rhode Island records can be challenging to locate, especially when research involves changing town boundaries, historic place names, or records held by local repositories.
Members of the Rhode Island Genealogical Society may submit a focused research question for assistance. RIGS volunteers will review the request and determine whether they can help identify relevant records, repositories, or additional avenues of research.
This service is intended to provide limited assistance with a specific Rhode Island research question. It is not a substitute for a complete professional genealogy project.
How We Can Help
Start With a Focused Question
The more specific your request is, the easier it will be for a volunteer to identify useful resources or information.
Identify Rhode Island Records
Ask about records connected to a particular Rhode Island ancestor, family, town, or time period.
Locate Possible Sources
Receive suggestions for repositories, record collections, publications, or other resources that may help advance your research.
Benefit From Local Experience
Connect your question with volunteers familiar with Rhode Island communities and genealogical resources.
Getting Started
How Research Requests Work
Provide the information you already know and tell us what you are hoping to learn. Including names, dates, locations, relationships, and sources you have already checked will help volunteers evaluate the request.
1. Join or Log In
Research assistance is available to current RIGS members through the members-only area of the website.
2. Submit Your Question
Describe the person, place, record, or research problem you would like help investigating.
3. A Volunteer Reviews the Request
RIGS will determine whether a volunteer is available and what assistance can reasonably be provided.
Before You Submit a Request
Research assistance depends on volunteer availability and access to appropriate records. Results cannot be guaranteed, and some requests may require more extensive professional research than RIGS volunteers can provide.