Seekonk History FAQs

Research Tips

Seekonk as it exists today is the result of several land reconfigurations. Seekonk was originally part of the Town of Rehoboth and included areas now in Pawtucket and East Providence. Depending on the time period you are researching, you may need to contact other resources in nearby cities and towns. Below are some relevant dates to remember:

• 1812 - Seekonk became independent from Rehoboth.
• 1828 - The Pawtucket region was separated from Seekonk.
• 1862 - The East Providence region was separated from Seekonk.

Common Questions

1. What resources do you have at the Seekonk Library for historical research?

   The library has both Reference and Circulating copies of our three most popular resources for Seekonk research:

   • History of Seekonk, 1619-1983. Seekonk High School.
   • Seekonk in the Twentieth Century. Dupere, Phyllis. 1997.

   • Historical Seekonk, Massachusetts, Volumes 1-5. Erhardt, John G.

      

2. Where can I find old Polk city directories for Seekonk?

   Polk city directories for Seekonk are available in print from the Special Collections department of the State Library of Massachusetts for the sporadic years that they were printed.

    

3. Are there Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps available for Seekonk?

   Sanborn maps are available in print from the Special Collections department of the State Library of Massachusetts for the sporadic years that they were printed.

    

4. Where can I find census information for Seekonk?

   See Census.gov – Seekonk

    

5. How can I find age, history, and property map information for my property in Seekonk?

• Northern Bristol County Registry of Deeds – Taunton, MA office
• Online Property Map access

• See also the Massachusetts Historical Commission – Survey of Historical Seekonk Buildings

   

6. Where can I find out the current property value on a house in Seekonk?

   Property Value Information

    

7. Where are the graveyards and cemeteries in Seekonk?

   There are two cemeteries in Seekonk: the Seekonk Cemetery on Newman Avenue and the Holy Cross Cemetery that is owned by a church in Central Falls. The records for the Seekonk Cemetery are available at the Town Clerk’s Office in Seekonk Town Hall.

    

8. Where can I find out about the birth, marriage, and death records for Seekonk?

   Visit the Town Clerk’s Office in Seekonk Town Hall for birth, death and marriage records from approximately 1860 to current. Many of the old records were never recorded so many of the 1850-1870 records are not available. Also note that records for deaths or births in RI hospitals are not available at Town Hall because of the different states involved.

    

9. Where can I find obituaries for Seekonk residents?

   There are several area newspapers to check for obituaries. Online searches are generally only available for recent listings (2000 – present):

• East Bay RI - Seekonk

• Blackstone Valley's Call & Times (formerly Pawtucket Times)

  See Pawtucket Public Library for previous issues in print.

• Providence Journal

  See also Providence Public Library, Reference department for previous issues in print.

• The Sun Chronicle

  See also Attleboro Public Library for previous issues in print.

Ask the Adult Services Librarians for other Seekonk or Boston Public Library online resources such as Heritage Hub.