State Census Board records, 1865-1935
Scope and Contents
The records of the census board include census records for the 1875, 1885, 1905, 1915, and 1925 state decennial census. Census records include bound volumes, cards, microfilm and statistical reports.
Dates
- Creation: 1865-1936
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.
Biographical / Historical
The General Assembly enacted Public Law Chapter 577 in 1865 which provided for the taking of a decennial census of the inhabitants and voters of the state. The act authorized that a census be taken in cities by agents appointed by the board of aldermen and in the towns by the assessors. Subsequently the agents and assessors must deposit returns with the Secretary of State by July 1st of the same year. The Secretary of State was responsible for providing forms for the returns to the clerks of the several cities and towns on or before the first day of May. In order to carry out the duties enumerated in the law, the Secretary of State with the advice of the Governor, hired Dr. Edwin M. Snow as the Superintendent of the Census. Dr. Snow was given full power to implement the requirements of the law which included preparing forms and devising a plan for the collection of and tabulation of statistics to include, population, manufactures, business and agriculture. Aggregate data, as required, was published by the Secretary of State in 1867. In this report, the Secretary of State suggested that a Bureau of Statistics be established to provide statistics in relation to manufactures, agriculture, trade, commerce as well as other statistics determined to be useful on a yearly basis.In
1875 Public Law Chapter 449 created the Census Board. The Census Board consisted of the Governor, the Secretary of State and a Superintendent of the Census who was appointed by the Governor. The Superintendent was responsible for printing the forms and providing instruction to enumerators and the board was responsible for appointing agents to conduct the census. As a result, a census for 1875 was conducted to include categories of information obtained for the 1865 census as well as any other information deemed necessary. Likewise a statistical report was published by the Board in 1877.
The 1885 census was conducted in much the same manner as the previous censuses. A census board was convened six months prior to the date of which the census was to be taken. The census board was also responsible for the implementation and management of the 1895, 1905, 1915 and 1925 state census.
In 1887, following the State’s third census, the position of Commissioner of Industrial statistics was established under PL 1887, chapter 621. Aside from tabulating statistical data regarding the state’s workforce, the Commissioner of Industrial Statistics also assumed the responsibilities of the Superintendent of the Census (see Chapter 63 of the 1882 Public Statutes). Additionally the commissioner was required to report statistical details to the General Assembly regarding “the condition of labor and business in all mechanical, manufacturing, commercial and other industrial businesses of the state especially in relation to the social, educational and sanitary condition of the laboring classes”.
In 1919 (Public Law Chapter 1741), the Commissioner’s title was changed to the Commissioner of Labor who took over all responsibilities formerly performed by the Commissioner of Industrial Statistics. The chapter also created the State Board of Labor whose duties was to report to the General Assembly any recommendations relating to the laws of the state regarding labor, promote mediation and conciliation of controversies and disputes between employees and employers and to avoid resort to strikes, lockouts, boycotts, blacklists, discriminations and legal proceeding in or arising out of such controversies and disputes and matters of employment. The board also prescribed rules of procedure and had the power to conduct investigations, to hold hearings and to summon witnesses. The commissioner reported monthly to the board in all matters relating to labor.
In 1935 the Department of Labor was established by statutory authority in PL 1935, chapter 2250, Section 90. Upon creation, the department assumed the responsibilities of the former Commissioner of Labor and the Superintendent of Industrial Statistics existing before that title. This statute also abolished the Census Board whereupon the Director of Labor assumed all responsibilities and functions relating to conducting the decennial census and keeping statistics. The last census was authorized in 1935 and was taken in 1936. The statute that governed the decennial census was repealed in 1985. The department gradually evolved over the following decades to include a variety of divisions, boards, and advisory councils related to all fields of labor. In 1996 PL 226 renamed the department as the Department of Labor and Training (RIGL §42.16.1) thereby combining the Department of Labor and the Department of Employment and Training.
Extent
735 Reels (735 microfilm reels and volumes/887 boxes)
Abstract
Records of the Census Board and the Superintendent of the Census include state decennial census manuscripts, census cards and microfilm.
Arrangement
Census are arranged by municipality and by enumeration district therein. The 1905 is arranged by municipality and then arranged by male and female and by surname therein. The1935 census is arranged by municipality and alphabetically by surname therein.
Rhode Island Digital Archives
Accruals
Prior accruals include:
C#5, 6, 8, 156, 200, 201, 202, 767, 811, 877, 1065.
1996-40, 1997-11, 1998-100, 1999-65, 1999-79, 1999-87,
General
The 1865 census was administered primarily by the Department of State/Office of the Secretary of State. By the time the 1875 census was taken, responsibilities lay with the Census Board. At the time of the taking of the 1935 census in 1936, functions were taken over by the Department of Labor. Details of these two census were added here for the convenience of researchers and staff.
Source
- Rhode Island. Census Board. (1875-1887) (Organization)
- Rhode Island. Bureau of Industrial Statistics (1887-1919) (Organization)
- Rhode Island. State Board of Labor (1919-1935) (Organization)
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Reel: Microfilm (Microform)
- Box: State Census Index (2001-29), 1875 (Text)
- Box: 1905 census (Text)
- Box: 1935 state census (Text)
- Box: 1. Census enumeration districts 1-16 Box 1 Barrington, Bristol, Warren, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 2. Census enumeration districts 15-31 Coventry, East Greenwich, Warwick, West Greenwich, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 3. Census enumeration districts 32-47 West Warwick, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 4. Census enumeration districts 48-65 Newport, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 5. Census enumeration districts 66-79 New Shoreham, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Burrillville, Cranston Hospital, Central Falls, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 6. Census enumeration districts 80-95 Central Falls, Cranston, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 7. Census enumeration districts 96-110 Cranston, Cumberland, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 8. Census enumeration districts 111-126 Cumberland, East Providence, Foster, Glocester, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 9. Census enumeration districts 127-141 Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 11. Census enumeration districts 158-174 Pawtucket, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 12. Census enumeration districts 175-194 Providence, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 13. Census enumeration districts 195-211 Providence, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 14. Census enumeration districts 212-226 Providence, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 15. Census enumeration districts 227-246 Providence, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 16. Census enumeration districts 247-264 Providence, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 17. Census enumeration districts 265-283 Providence, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 18. Census enumeration districts 284-302 Providence, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 19. Census enumeration districts 303-321 Providence, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 20. Census enumeration districts 322-337 Providence, Scituate, Smithfield, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 21. Census enumeration districts 338-355 Woonsocket, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 22. Census enumeration districts 356-371 Woonsocket, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 23. Census enumeration districts 372-385 (end) North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, Westerly, 1925 (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Barrington (1-2A), Coventry (15-19), East Greenwich (20) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts East Greenwich (21-22), Warwick (23-29) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts West Greenwich (45), West Warwick (38-44), Jamestown (46), Little Compton (47) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Warwick 29X-32), West Warwick (33-37) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Newport (57-66) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Middletown (48), Newport (49-56) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Portsmouth (76-77), Tiverton (78-80), Burrillville (81-84) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Newport (67-74), New Shoreham (75) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Central Falls (95-103) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Burrillville (85-87), Central Falls (88-94) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts East Providence (135-144) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Cumberland (126-134) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Central Falls (104), Cranston (105-107, 114-117) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Lincoln (163-164), North Providence (165-168), North Smithfield (169-170) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Johnston (154-156), Lincoln (157-162) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts East Providence (145-149), Foster (150), Glocester (151), Johnston (152-153) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Pawtucket (187-195) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Pawtucket (179-186) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Pawtucket (171-178) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Pawtucket (205-213) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (214-222) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Pawtucket (196-204) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (232-239) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (240-247) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (223-231) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (255-260) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts 248-254X) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (261-265X) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (273-279) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (280-287) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (266-272) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (303-309) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (295-302) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (288-294) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (310-316) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (324-330) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence 317-323) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (331-337) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (344-350) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (338-343) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (351-357) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (365-371) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (358-364) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (379-385) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (386-392) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Providence (372-378) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Woonsocket (409-415) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Woonsocket (401-408) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Scituate (393-395), Smithfield (396-397), Woonsocket (398-400) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Charlestown (428), Exeter (429), Hopkinton (430-431), Narragansett (432), Richmond (437) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Woonsocket (421-427) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts Woonsocket (416-420) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts South Kingstown (440-441), Westerly (442-446) (Text)
- Box: 1915 Census enumeration districts North Kingstown (433-436), South Kingstown (438-439) (Text)
- Box: 1885 Census microfilm replacement reels (Microform)
- Box: State census microfilm (extra copies), 1865, 1875, 1885, 1905 (Microform)
- Box: Census, 1865 (Duplicate microfilm) and Word War II records index (Microform)
- Box: 10. census enumeration districts 142-157 Pawtucket, 1925 (Text)
Repository Details
Part of the Rhode Island State Archives Repository