Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis announces official launch of the State Archives Online Catalog

PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis will demonstrate the new State Archives Online Catalog during an official unveiling at Rhode Island College at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 17th, 2013 in Whipple Hall – Room 218.

Rhode Island College President Nancy Carriuolo, as well as Dr. Whitney Blankenship, Coordinator of Secondary History Education and Assistant Professor of Educational Studies/History, and her students will join Secretary Mollis. The general public, media, historians and researchers are all welcome to join, and explore the newly launched catalog.

“I am proud today to unveil the State Archives Online Catalog to the public. This is an invaluable tool for anyone interested in accessing information about the holdings, detailed finding aids, images, and links to other resources from the comfort of their own home, school, work, or when they’re on the go,” said Mollis. “I am committed to preserving our history and making government more open and accessible. This will no doubt be a model for other states around the country. I am so proud of my team for making this vision a reality for Rhode Islanders.”

The Office of Secretary of State preserves, and makes available for research Rhode Island’s historical public records, which date from 1638 to the present. The reception area of the State Archives office, located at 337 Westminster Street in Providence also features exhibits that are free and open to the public during normal business hours.

“I want to commend and thank everyone involved in its development. We’ve taken a huge leap in making information about the State Archives’ holdings available and providing access to the public. It’s especially remarkable how much has been done, with yet more to come,” said Gwenn Stearn, State Archivist, Public Records Administrator, and Director of Administrative Records.

Among RI State archives, images of original letters from Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, and a request by a Rhode Island vehicle owner for a “low license plate number” from 1904.

To view the State Archives Online Catalog, visit www.sos.ri.gov and select the State Archives tab on the left. Once there, you may browse/search the State Archives Catalog.

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