Local History and Genealogy
The Cranston Public Library has a growing local history and genealogy collection located at the Central Library.
The library's local history collections include town histories, Cranston city phone directories, Cranston Tax Rolls, select Cranston High School yearbooks and other resources. Although the focus of the collection is on Cranston, there are historical and genealogical resources covering Rhode Island and New England.
The library also provides access to the following online resources:
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American Ancestors (Inside Central Library only) (opens in a new tab)The Cranston Public Library is an institutional member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. This membership gives our patrons access inside the Central Library to close to 500 databases with a focus on New England genealogy. Click the link above to begin your search or click here to see a full list of available databases (link opens in a new tab).
Due to licensing restrictions American Ancestors is available from inside the Central Library only.
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Ancestry Library Edition (Inside Library Only) (opens in a new tab)Discover your family history and start your family tree. Try free and access billions of genealogy records including Census, SSDI & Military records.
Due to licensing restrictions Ancestry Library Edition is available from inside the library only.
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Cranston Public Library Digital Archive (opens in a new tab)Free online archive featuring keyword searchable local history collections. Includes a complete run of the Cranston Herald and historical Cranston newspapers dating back to 1885. Additional archives are available separately from inside the library only(opens in a new tab). Powered by Advantage Preservation.
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FamilySearch (Inside Central Library Only) (opens in a new tab)FamilySearch is the largest genealogical organization in the world and provides access to thousands of records free online. The Cranston Public Library is a FamilySearch affiliate library, which provides access to additional records from inside the Central Library. Create an account to begin.
Due to licensing restrictions some portions of FamilySearch are available from inside the Central Library only.
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Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Database (opens in a new tab)Database of Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries maintained by the Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Commission.
For additional assistance, please contact the Reference Desk at the Central Library by calling 401-943-9080 x3 or by emailing central@cranstonlibrary.org.
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