History of the Town of Foster, Rhode Island

The History of Foster as presented by rootsweb.ancestry.com drawn from the History of the State of Rhode Island with Illustrations Albert J. Wright, Printer No. 79 Mille Street, corner of Federal, Boston.  Hong, Wade & Co., Philadelphia 1878.

Nike Missile Battery PR-79, Foster, RI - Learn about the old Nike site off route 101.  this website includes links to pictures of the site.

2000 US Census data - See the Census data for the Town of Foster RI from the 2000 US Census. (Link to the 2010 Census data for the Town of Foster will be added as soon as it becomes available.

Local Preservation and Historical Societies

Burrillville Historical Society - The Burrillville Historical and Preservation Society has been in existence since February of 1970 ...

Cranston Historical Society - To promote and encourage a lively interest in the history of Cranston ...

East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society - Preserving the Past and Living History in East Greenwich ...

Glocester Heritage Society - The purpose of the Society shall be to identify, acquire, hold, arrange, restore, maintain, and preserve for posterity buildings, tracts of land and objects of historical, educational, architectural, cultural and other similar interests of outstanding value within the Town of Glocester, RI ...

Johnston Historical Society - The Johnston Historical Society was formed by a group of historically minded residents in the late 1970s ...

Pawtuxet Valley Preservation and Historical Society - Preserving the history of, and promoting public knowledge and interest in the Pawtuxet Valley ...
 

Pawtuxet Village Association - To actively foster the well-being of the residents of the Pawtuxet Village area through preserving and improving its quality of life, its historic sites and structures, and its natural environment ...

Pettaquamscutt Historical Society - The Pettaquamscutt Historical Society encourages the study and appreciation of the region's history ...

Rhode Island Historical Society - The Rhode Island Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing Rhode Island’s history.

Warwick Historical Society - Town of Warwick, RI ...

Western Rhode Island Civic Historical Society - This Society exists for the purpose of gathering and preserving historical materials relating to Western Rhode Island and also to promote the social and cultural life of the area.

Historical  Links

Battle of Rhode Island - A historical overview of this Revolutionary War battle which occurred on Aquidneck Island on August 29, 1783.

Federal Land Records Official Site - This site contains a repository of Federal land title records issued between 1820 and the present.

Glocester Historian - Genealogy, Record Research, and Lecture Services from Edna Kent, Historian of the Town of Glocester, RI.

Historic New England - Historic New England is a museum of cultural history that collects and preserves buildings, landscapes, and objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present and uses them to keep history alive and to help people develop a deeper understanding and enjoyment of New England life and appreciation for its preservation.

National Register of Historical Places - Program Regulations - How to go about having a property listed on the Federal Register.

National Register of Historical Places - State Listings - Find Historical locations in Rhode Island.

Preserve RI - Organization which promotes the stewardship of Rhode Island's distinctive local character and vibrant communities.

History of the Scituate Reservoir - Information provided by the Providence water Board.

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online - The Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online (RIAMCO) is the gateway to information about archival collections in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Historic Preservation & Heritage Commission - The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission is the state agency for historical preservation and heritage programs.

Rhode Island Historical Records Advisory Board - The mission of the RIHRAB is to advocate develop and support programs to defend and provide access to documentary heritage.

Rhode Island State Archives - This arm of RI State government preserves and makes available for research Rhode Island's historical public records, which date from 1638 to the present.

Rhode Island Volunteers Civil War Re-enactors Association - Information on RI Civil War volunteer units.

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War - This website strives to preserve the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and our ancestors who fought to preserve the Union 1861 - 1865.

United States National Archives - The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record keeper.  Located in Washington D.C. on the National Mall, the National Archives provides access to valuable records which are preserved and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family’s history, need to prove a veteran’s military service, or are researching an historical topic that interests you.

Genealogical Links

Ancestry. com - An excellent site to find your ancestors; requires a subscription; a free trial subscription is offered.

Cyndi's List - A listing of many genealogical sites on the internet.

Daughters of the American Revolution Library - Genealogical Research.  The DAR Genealogical Research System is a combination of several databases created in recent years to organize the large quantity of information that the DAR has collected since its inception in 1890.

Immigrant Ship Transcribers Guild - Transcripts of ships passenger lists from various countries.

Newspaper Archives - Explore historical and genealogical newspaper articles online.  A unique archive which spans more than 400 years of family history, small-town events, world news and more.

North Scituate Public Library - Local history information. Also many links to genealogical websites.  When you reach this website, click on "History and Genealogy" in menu bar at left.

Rhode Island Genealogical Society - The Rhode Island Genealogical Society was begun in 1975 by individuals interested specifically in Rhode Island Families and the problems inherent in tracing them.

Rhode Island Genealogy - Click on this link to find links to various Providence County historical records listed by Town. 

Roger Williams Family Association - Genealogical site  with the purpose of honoring and preserving the memory of Roger Williams and promoting communication among his descendants.

US GenWeb - Rhode Island - Nationwide genealogy and history project.

Cemetery Resources

There are over 150 historical cemeteries located throughout Foster.  The following links provides access to information about each cemetery and most of the burials contained therein.

Foster Preservation Society Historical Cemetery Survey - This survey conducted in 2011-2012 allows you to see details, GPS coordinates, and photos of each historical cemetery in Foster, RI.  The survey is an ongoing project which will be updated regularly until database of all historical cemeteries is complete.

Rhode Island Cemeteries Database -  It is possible to search the RI Historical Cemetery Database for an ancestor buried anywhere in the state.  The pre-20th century data is over 95% complete.  The earliest gravestone in the database is that of John Coggeshall, Sr., President of the Colony of Rhode Island from 1647.
 

Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries - This site provides a way to search for a specific cemetery anywhere in Rhode Island: choose "Search for Cemeteries."  If you wish to search for the grave of a particular individual, choose "Search for Graves."

 Rhode Island Historical Cemeteries Transcription Project - Search for ancestors graves.

Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Commission - This organization studies the location, condition, and inventory of historical cemeteries in Rhode Island, and makes recommendations to the General Assembly.

Find a Grave website - Find the graves of thousands of people around the world including ancestors, create virtual memorials, add "virtual flowers" and a note to a loved one's grave, etc.

Internment.net - Search and browse cemetery burial records online from thousands of cemeteries across the world.

The Association for Gravestone Studies - The Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) was founded in 1977 for the purpose of furthering the study and preservation of gravestones.

Maps and Atlases

1895 U.S. Atlas - View old maps originally published by Rand McNally.

Rhode Island Maps - Provided by US GenWeb.

University of Connecticut Historical Map Collection - Digitized historical maps of Connecticut, Northeast United States, New England, United States, and select maps from around the world.

University of Texas Historical Map Collection - Large collection of maps featuring many regions around the globe.

Town and Community Links

Town of Foster - Town meeting agendas, minutes, finance reports, etc.

Town of Foster Comprehensive Plan - Town government produced description of the Town and proposed plans for the future.

Town of Foster Police Department - The official web site of the Foster Police Department.

Captain Isaac Paine School - Foster's Elementary School.

Foster Glocester Regional Schools - Middle School and High School website.

Borders Farm - Preserved 1849 Farmhouse and intact dairy barn.

Boy Scout Troop 101 - Local Boy Scout troop.

Foster Center Baptist Church - Foster Center Baptist Church is an old, established neighborhood church, dating from January 1881.  At that time, the building was called the Foster Center Christian Church.  The dedication was held on October 31, 1882.

Foster Libraries - "Heritage Quest Online: Combines digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with full-text genealogy and local history collections."

Foster/Scituate Youth Soccer League - committed to providing the youth of our community with the opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of soccer while developing their physical, social and emotional well being.

Fosteringarts.org - Local artists and artisans, music programs, Peeptoad Coffeehouse.

Moosup Valley Church - The Moosup Valley Meeting House was erected in 1864 in response to a community desire...

Northern Rhode Island 4H - Information about the 4H fair held each year at Old Home Days.

Swamp Meadow Community Theatre - Local Community Theater offering multiple live productions each year.

Other Interesting Links

Amateur Astronomical Society of Rhode Island - Did you ever look up into the night sky over Foster and wonder what's out there.  Visit Skyscrapers, Inc. to learn more about the wonders of the sky.

G.h.o.s.t Paranormal Research Team - This is the website of the local ghost hunting group which investigated the Foster Town House on November 12, 2011.

Greenville Paranormal Research - A small group of experienced and dedicated paranormal investigators and researchers based in Greenville, Rhode Island.  See their investigations in Foster and surrounding areas at this link.

Hearthside - Historical Federal style home in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Providence Athenaeum - The Providence Athenaeum is an independent membership library that opened on Benefit Street in 1838.  The Athenaeum is a unique library and cultural center, welcomes and enriches the educational and cultural pursuits of its members and the community and encourages a diverse public to engage in spirited conversation.

Ray Wolf Books - Ray Wolf Books has been located in Hope, Rhode Island since 2009.  Ray has produced books on local history and poetry.

Rhode Island Council for the Humanities - The mission of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities is to inspire and support intellectual curiosity and imagination in all Rhode Islanders.

 Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation - Median home sales price, local businesses, local tax info, building permits, etc.