Clark County, Arkansas Genealogy
Guide to Clark County, Arkansas ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 2.29 Voter Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named after William Clark. It is located in the southwest area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Clark County Courthouse
Courthouse Square
401 Clay Street
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: 870.246.4491
Clark County website
County Clerk has marriage records from 1821, land records from 1819, and probate records from 1800.
Clerk Circuit Court has divorce, court and land records.[3]
Clark County, Arkansas[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1914 | 1821 | 1914 | 1838 | 1819 | 1800 | 1830 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Arkansas county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Arkansas County Boundary Maps" (1813-1925) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]
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Unincorporated communities | ||
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Census-designated places | ||
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Townships | ||
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History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were taken from the Clark County page on the website, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. [7]
- 1700s - Europeans continued to explore and occupy the area, but Indians had largely vacated.
- 1803 - Permanent settlement by Americans occurred soon after the Louisiana Purchase.
- 1818 - December 15, Clark County was founded as part of Missouri Territory.
- 1860 - The county had become a thriving community of agriculture, commerce, and education.
- 1932 - Clark County suffered along with the rest of Arkansas from the effects of the Great Depression.
- 1939-1945 - World War II stimulated the development of small industry in the county.
- 1930-1970 - The county lost 13.6 percent of its population.
- 1980s - Clark County’s economy declined.
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web sites may have additional information on Arkansas County cemeteries.
- African American Cemeteries Online Scroll to the county and cemetery.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
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Census | Pop. | %± |
1830 | 1,369 | — |
1840 | 2,309 | 68.7% |
1850 | 4,070 | 76.3% |
1860 | 9,735 | 139.2% |
1870 | 11,953 | 22.8% |
1880 | 15,771 | 31.9% |
1890 | 20,997 | 33.1% |
1900 | 21,289 | 1.4% |
1910 | 23,686 | 11.3% |
1920 | 25,632 | 8.2% |
1930 | 24,932 | −2.7% |
1940 | 24,402 | −2.1% |
1950 | 22,998 | −5.8% |
1960 | 20,950 | −8.9% |
1970 | 21,537 | 2.8% |
1980 | 23,326 | 8.3% |
1990 | 21,437 | −8.1% |
2000 | 23,546 | 9.8% |
2010 | 22,995 | −2.3% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
Federal Census reports for Clark County are available for 1830-1930 including Industry and Agriculture Schedules 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880; Slave Schedules for 1850 & 1860; and Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.
- 1820 is missing
- 1830 and 1840 - Check the Arkansas Census page for availability. Searchable index on Ancestry.
- 1850 - 1920 Census- Searchable index on FamilySearch
- 1890 Census substitution was compiled by William L. Newberry from the Tax Receipt Book for 1890.[8]
For more information about the using the census in Arkansas, please refer to the Arkansas Census page.
Church Records[edit | edit source]
- 1875-1899 - Nebraska, Church Records, 1875-1899 at FamilySearch — index
List of Churches and Church Parishes- How to Use this Collection
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Clark County Court Clerk has court records beginning in 1838.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
African Americans[edit | edit source]
- 1865-1868 — Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, Arkadelphia at FamilySearch.org — (browsable images only); register of marriage, labor contracts, letters, complaints
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
- Probate Records 1822-1957 Clark County portion of the collection: Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979: Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)- How to Use this Collection
- Includes Administration and guardian bonds 1869-1909; Bonds 1827-1873; Dockets 1875-1901; Letters of administration 1827-1883; Probate records 1822-1957; Wills 1855-1867.
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Clark County Court Clerk has land records beginning in 1819. Remember that original land sales and grants were often with the US Government and are part of the General Land Office Records not the local county records.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Clark County. They may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more about local histories, see Arkansas Local Histories.
- Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas. 2 volumes. 1890. Chicago, IL, USA: Goodspeed Publishing. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 1 - Internet Archive, Vol. 2 - Internet Archive, Google Books, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat). Clark County history begins on Page 113 in Vol. 1.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Arkansas (1813-1925)
- Family Maps of Clark County, Arkansas Genealogy (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War[edit | edit source]
- Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." FHL Collection 973 M24ur; digital version at Ancestry ($). [Includes veterans from this county; Arkansas section begins on page 439.]
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Regiments. Men in Clark County served in various regiments and companies. Those listed below were specifically formed in this county:
- - 1st Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Company B
- - 1st Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Colquitt's) (Confederate)
- - 2nd Regiment, Arkansas Mounted Rifles (Confederate), Companies E and F
- - 6th Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Confederate) , Company F
- - 8th Battalion, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Company A
- - 33rd Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Companies E and H
- Men from this county served in the 3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union)[9], Companies A and C
Online Records
- 1861-1865 - Arkansas Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index- How to Use this Collection
- 1890-1963 - Arkansas Confederate Soldier Home,1890-1963 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
- 1891-1939 - Arkansas Ex-Confederate Pension Records, 1891-1939 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
- 1901-1929 - Arkansas Confederate Pensions, 1901-1929 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
Civil War Battle
The following Civil War battle was fought in Clark County.
- April 3-4, 1864 = Elkin’s Ferry, also known as Okolona[10]
- Map showing Civil War battles in Arkansas.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Finding More Arkansas Newspapers Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Clark newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat
- FamilySearch. Do a Clark County, Arkansas Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see, FamilySearch Catalog Places Search).
- Fayetteville Democrat at Ancestry.com ($)
- Fayetteville Daily Democrat at Ancestry.com ($)
- Daily Fayetteville Democrat at Ancestry.com ($)
- Northwest Arkansas Times at Ancestry.com ($)
- Courier Times at Ancestry.com ($)
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
- "History of Clark County" by Laura Scott Butler. Publications of the Arkansas Historical Association - v. 2 (1908), p. 362-394. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Records
- 1783 – 1998 Arkansas Wills and Probate Records 1783-1998 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
- 1817 – 1979 Arkansas Probate Records 1817-1979 at FamilySearch — images- How to Use this Collection
- Probate Records 1822-1957 Clark County portion of the collection: Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979: Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)- How to Use this Collection
- Includes Administration and guardian bonds 1869-1909; Bonds 1827-1873; Dockets 1875-1901; Letters of administration 1827-1883; Probate records 1822-1957; Wills 1855-1867.
The county clerk has probate records starting in 1840.
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Statewide registration of births and deaths began 1 February 1914, and have a limited availability through the Arkansas Vital Records Department of the Arkansas Health Department. The Arkansas History Commission keeps an alphabetical listing of deaths in Arkansas dating from 1914 through 1949, but they do not have the actual death records. They have shared this listing of deaths with Ancestry.com $ (Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950)
Clark County, Arkansas records compiled by Mrs. Frank Austin Gerig. Includes some vital, property, and probate records with index.) FHL US/CAN Film 844407 Items 4-5
Birth[edit | edit source]
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Birth Date and Place | ![]() |
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Parent's Names | ![]() |
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Mother's Maiden Name | ![]() | |
Parent's Ages | ![]() |
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Father's Occupation | ![]() |
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Current Residence | ![]() |
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Name of Doctor or Midwife | ![]() |
In 1877, a few county and city clerks[11] started keeping birth and death records.
In 1914, the state law required all county clerks to record births and forward them to the state.
- Arkansas Births and Christenings, 1812-1965 at FamilySearch. (Free, index only)
- Small file, but worth searching. Most entries were user-submitted.
See also: • Arkansas Online Genealogy Records, • How to Find Arkansas Birth Records and • Arkansas Vital Records—Birth.
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Clark County Court Clerk has marriage records beginning in 1821. Many of these have been microfilmed and are available through the Family History Library, Salt Lake, UT:
- 1779-1966 - Arkansas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1818 - 1987 - Marriage records, 1818-1970; indexes, 1818-1987 by Clark County (Arkansas). County Clerk. (Microfilm of original records in the Clark County courthouse; and at the Ouachita Baptist University Library, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Indexes include Male and female indexes 1821-1975; Indexes to marriage records, v. 1-3, 1840-1987; Index to loose marriage licenses, 1818-1970. Marriage record volumes C - Z 1845 - 1931 and volumes 1 - 10 1931 - 1951. Marriage Record volumes A, B, and J are missing. Also Loose marriage licenses, 1818-1970 arranged alphabetically) 25 microfilm rolls **This title is currently (May 2010) being digitized and indexed for inclusion in Arkansas Vital Records Index - FamilySearch Historical Records
- Arkansas Department of Health also has marriage records dating from January 1917 and divorce records dating from January 1923.
- 1845 - 1922 - Clark County Marriage Books C-U Index 1845-1922 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.[12]
- 1860 - 1976 - Arkansas Church Marriages, 1860-1976 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
- 1870 - 1970 - Clark County Marriage Books F-Z, 1-10 and Loose Marriage Licenses Index 1870-1970 in Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957 at FamilySearch - free.[13]- How to Use this Collection
- 1933 - 1939 - Ancestry.com. $ Arkansas Marriage Index, 1933-1939. Original data: Vital Records Division, Arkansas Department of Health. Marriage Record Index, 1933-1939. Arkansas, USA: Arkansas Genealogical Society. Microfiche.
- 1851 - 1900 - Ancestry.com. $ Arkansas Marriages, 1851-1900. Original data: Clark County, Arkansas Marriages, 1851 - 1875. County court records located at Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Family History Library film # (1009945 - 1009946 & 1010121-1010123)
- 1923 - 1939 - Ancestry.com. $ Arkansas Divorce Index, 1923-1939. Original data: Arkansas Divorce Index 1923-1939. Arkansas, USA: Arkansas Genealogical Society. Microfiche.
- Clark County, Arkansas Obituary Collection And Surrounding Howard and Pike Counties From GenealogyBuff.com ~ Free. From Various Funeral Homes.
- To 1900 - Clark County, Arkansas : a genealogical source book compiled by Pauline Williams Wright, Barbara McDow Caffee (Contents: vol. 1. Marriages thru 1900; divorce petitions thru 1900; Probate records, May 1827-Oct. 1838 and more) FHL US/CAN Book 976.749 D2w v. 1 or FHL US/CAN Fiche 6010780
- 1821 - 1837 - Clark County, Arkansas, marriage records, 1821-1879 compiled by Bobbie Jones McLane. (Contains "Deaton family of Clark Co., Arkansas." Marriages are on file in the county clerk's office at Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Includes index of brides.) FHL US/CAN Book 976.749 V29m
- 1821 - 1837 - Clark County, Arkansas marriage records, 1821-1837 : marriage record book A, March 22, 1821 to February 12, 1837 compiled and edited by David L. Kelley. FHL US/CAN Book 976.749 V2k or FHL US/CAN Film 1750736 Item 20
- 1873 - 1959 - Marriage licenses of Clark County, Arkansas (unclaimed) by Newberry, William L. (The dates for this vol. run from ca. 1873-1959. Names are in alphabetical order.) FHL US/CAN Book 976.749 V2n
- 1821 - 1837 - Marriages of Clark County, Arkansas, 1821-1837 compiled by James Logan Morgan. FHL US/CAN Book 976.7 A1 no. 50
- Records of Clark County, Arkansas by Daughters of the American Revolution (Arkansas) (Microreproduction of original typescript (58, 132 leaves) written in 1972. Includes index. Includes marriages, a cemetery (Mt. Tabor in Montgomery Co.) and bible records.) FHL US/CAN Film 907977 Item 6
- 1917-1969 Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1969 at Ancestry.com - index and images ($)
Death[edit | edit source]
- Clark County, Arkansas : Arkadelphia & environs, a journal by James A. Fortson, recorded, 1875-1897 by Fortson, James A, 1829-1898 transcribed and edited by Linda Shaddock Rogers. (45 pages; Includes vital record information, primarily deaths. Includes full-name index.) FHL US/CAN Book 976.749 D3f
- 1914-1969 Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969 at Ancestry.com - index and images ($)
- 1935-1961 Arkansas, Death Index, 1935-1961 at MyHeritage - index and images ($)
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1923-1969 Arkansas, Divorces, 1923-1969 at Ancestry.com - index ($)
Voter Records[edit | edit source]
- 1868-1910 - Arkansas, County Voter Registration Records, 1868-1910 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Clark County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Arkansas Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Clark County. For state-wide library facilities, see Arkansas Archives and Libraries.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Clark County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Arkansas Societies.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- ARGenWeb. Free. Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions
- USGenWeb Archives. Free. Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions
- RootsWeb. Free. Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions
- Linkpendium. Free. Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
- CyndisList. Free. Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
- FamilySearch Catalog - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Clark County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_County,_Arkansas
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Clark County, Arkansas. Page 67 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 65.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Clark County, Arkansas" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_County,_Arkansas#Communities, accessed 31 August 2018.
- ↑ Norma S. Arnold, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture, (http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=754&type=Category&item=Counties&parent=Counties%2c+Cities%2c+and+Towns&grandparent=+%3a+accessed+January+6%2c+2016)%2c : accessed January 11, 2016), “Clark County.”
- ↑ William L. Newberry, 1890 census of Clark County, Arkansas, (Arkadelphia, Arkansas: Clark County Historical Association, c1988)FHL US/CAN Book 976.749 R48n
- ↑ Desmond Walls Allen, Third Arkansas Union Cavalry, (Conway, Arkansas : Arkansas Research, c1987), pp. 33-92 FHL book 976.7 M28dc
- ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State, (accessed 2 August 2012).
- ↑ such as Sebastian County (Fort Smith) and Pulaski County (Little Rock) (No entry in FamilySearch Catalog found for Pulaski County nor for Little Rock, Aug 2014)
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/5/5c/Igiarkansasad.pdf.
- ↑ FamilySearch Wiki contributors, "Arkansas County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records," in FamilySearch Wiki, accessed 18 April 2013.