Reference Policy
The RIHS Library is happy to provide reference services to attempt to answer your questions about our collections and Rhode Island history and genealogy. Using the materials in our collections, we will provide brief answers that can be accurately conveyed by email. Please allow up to two weeks for a response, or longer during holiday season and busy times. Our goal is to answer all questions as quickly as possible given the time and staffing available to us.
In general, we cannot devote more than one-half hour search time to your question. Should the information you requested require more time than that to answer, we will advise you as to whether the library has the necessary materials for you to come in and use, or direct you to other sources of information or an Independent Researcher.
Please see the Reference Services page of our web site for an overview of the resources on various topics available at RIHS Library and elsewhere.
We are unable to conduct general historical or genealogical research or answer in-depth questions.
Please keep the following guidelines in mind when you submit a request:
Requests should be specific in nature. Please include enough information with your request to provide a context for your question (e.g., names and dates of people, purpose of your research.)
Examples of specific requests:
- Can you tell me what resources you have on Rhode Islanders who served in the Revolutionary War?
- Where was the New England Butt Co. located in the late 19th century and what did the company manufacture?
- Can you locate an obituary for my uncle Frederick, who d. 15 Jan 1923 in Woonsocket, RI? (Obituary requests must include a death date.)
Examples of general research we are unable to respond to:
- Can you give me all the information you have on the Bowen family of Providence?
- What was the role of women during the Colonial period in Rhode Island?
- My great-grandmother died in Pawtucket, R.I. but I don't know when. Can you find her obituary?
For more general or in-depth research requests, please see our list of local Independent Researchers.
Fees: There is no fee for reference services. Please consider a donation to RIHS in recognition of the staff time dedicated to answering your request (generally 15-30 minutes per request). Please see our overview of our photocopy fees.
Email requests: Send to reference@rihs.org (up to two weeks response time)
Mail requests: Send to RIHS Library, 121 Hope St. Providence, R.I. 02906 (up to two weeks response time)
Telephone: Please call (401) 273-8107. Telephone requests are answered as time and staffing allow. Individuals inquiring by phone may be asked to submit the request by mail or e-mail.
Requests are limited to no more than three look-ups or tasks.
Requests are answered in the order in which they are received.