Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Rhode Island puts trove of historic records online

The following is a snippet of the Boston Globe new article by David Klepper on December 1, 2013.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — In 1957, the Davol Rubber Company distributed a handy booklet for expectant mothers in Rhode Island. Among the bits of advice: Before you head to the delivery room, make sure you leave your husband plenty of prepared meals so he won’t go hungry.
The 28-page booklet is one of scores of historic documents, records and odds and ends in the Rhode Island State Archives that are now available for viewing online. The digital collection includes an 1803 letter from President Thomas Jefferson to the state’s governor, a list of soldiers who served in the War of 1812 and a curious photo of Red Sox great Ted Williams posing with a 557-pound tuna he caught off Point Judith.
The online archive — sos.ri.gov/archon — is intended to be used by researchers, genealogists, schoolchildren, journalists and anyone with an interest in the state’s history, according to Secretary of State Ralph Mollis, who oversees the State Archives.
‘‘It puts history at your fingertips,’’ Mollis said. ‘‘The whole goal is to give people information about Rhode Island’s history in an incredibly accessible way.’’
A quick search of the online collection yields several surprising finds. (cont'd)

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