This section lists the societies of Arkansas, giving details about each one and the resources and publications they offer.
Statewide Societies
County Societies
Statewide and Regional Societies
Arkansas Genealogical Society
The association was established in 1962. Their purpose is to preserve and share materials relating to Arkansas.
The aims of the society are to promote family history research and to publish articles relating to Arkansas ancestors.
Back issues of their quarterly journal are available to download in PDF Format from 1962. An Arkansas Ancestry Certificate Index, giving details of certificates issued to people who have proven connections with the state, is accessible.
They are especially interested in these periods:
- Colonial – before 1st January 1804
- Territorial before 15th June 1836
- Antebellum before 6th May 1861
- Nineteenth Century before 31st December 1900
Website:
http://www.agsgenealogy.org
North West Arkansas Genealogical Society
The association was established in 1971. They have a wide collection of resources that are accessible in Bentonville Public Library, 405 S. Main Street, Bentonville. Their site contains indexes to cemeteries inventoried by the association.
Other indexes are accessible, which relate to:
- Benton Co., Probate Boxes 1-156, Burial Permits, Deeds 1833-1875
- Marriage Bonds from 1924 to 1925 and 1944 to 1945
- Newspaper Obituaries
Some publications are available for sale, incorporating:
- 1860 and 1920 Census Records
- 1903 Benton County Atlas
- Benton Co. Will Book “A” 1837-1872
- Cemetery Inscriptions
- Family Pedigrees
- Marriages
- Will Book A, Box 1 Estate Records
Website:
http://sites.rootsweb.com/~arnwags/
County Societies
Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society
Their site contains details of their extensive collection of resources that are accessible in the Heritage Center, 808 South Baker Street, Mountain Home. These resources include:
- Court Records
- Genealogy Books
- Native American Collection
- School Records
Many publications are available for sale, which include:
- Bald Knobbers – Chronicles of Vigilante Justice
- Blessed are the Peacemakers
- Early Marriages of Baxter Co. 1873-1920
- Hatch, Match and Dispatch, 1950-1956 (Births, Marriages and Deaths in the Baxter Bulletin)
- History of Baxter Co., Centennial Edition, 1873-1973
Website:
http://www.baxtercountyhistory.org
Bradley County Genealogical Society
Their site contains Indexes to Bradley Co. Marriage Records before 1940 and then 1940-1990. Please note the indexes are incomplete. There is also an index to names coming from the book Bradley Co. Family Histories which is now out of print. There are also transcriptions of some wills.
Numerous books are sold by the society, which include:
- Afro Americans in Bradley Area 1800-1930
- Cemetery Books
- Marriage Record Index
- Obituaries Index
Website:
http://sites.rootsweb.com/~arbradle/bradcogensoc.shtml
Carroll County Historical Society
Their site contains indexes to:
- Carroll Co. Marriage Records Eastern District 1869-1930 and Western District 1869-1910
- Carroll Co. Tax Lists
- Cemetery Transcripts
- Census Transcripts
- Divorce Records Chancery Court Book A 1870-1897
They are also involved in indexing School Census Records from Green Forest and Berryville Schools, dates ranging from 1930-1948. Information included in the record includes the child’s name, birth date, age, sex, parents and the Post Office. CChs staff are willing to conduct research in these records on payment of a small fee and will send you the details.
The society is also prepared to search their index of obituaries in return for payment of a small fee.
Some publications are available for sale, including
- A Pictorial History of Carroll County
- Carroll County Families: These Were The First
- The History and Families of Carroll Co.
- The Letters and Diaries of Isaac A. Clarke
- Life on Sunnyside Farm
- Richard Fancher/Descendants 1700-1992
Maps and Cemetery Listings are also available.
Website:
http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~hunters/genealogy/index.html
Conway County Genealogical Society
The society has a library where some resources are accessible, including:
- Cemetery Records
- Census Records
- Marriages
- Newspapers
- Periodicals
- Reference Books
Their site contains a list of surnames currently being researched by members of the association. They have information regarding ongoing projects which includes the Conway Co. Obituary Project and the Conway Co. Family Genealogy Database.
Some publications are available for sale, which include:
- Cemetery Transcripts
- Census Transcripts
- Chancery Court Records
- Conway Co. Heritage: Then and Now
- Conway County History Book
- Conway County – Our Land, Our Home, Our People
- Marriages
- Obituaries
- Old Lewisburg DVD
Website:
http://sites.rootsweb.com/~arccga/
Craighead County Genealogy Society
Their aims are to preserve and publish genealogical and historical data and to assist members with their genealogical research. They hope to give their members the knowledge they require to research their ancestry in the area and further afield.
The association’s site contains an index to Divorce Records Eastern District: Lake City Courthouse 1884 – 1950 and Western District: Jonesobro Chancery Books 1878-1897. There are also indexes to Cemeteries and a Marriage Index listing residents of the area who married in other counties in the state.
Website:
http://www.gscca.net
Marion County Heritage Society
The association was established in 1990. The Courthouse burned to the ground in 1887, with the loss of all resources prior to that date, so they have asked members who have marriage information about their Marion Co. families to share what information they hold, which has been added to the site.
Indexes are accessible on the site, including:
- 1840-1900 Census Indexes
- Court Records
- Genealogies
- Land Records
- Maps
- Marion Co. Cemeteries
- Marriages 1857-1880
- Newspaper Abstracts
- Obituaries 1880-2002
- Society Newsletters
- War Records
Publications are sold by the Society, which include:
- 1840-1890 Census Returns(Does not include 1860)
- Early Days and War Times in Northern Arkansas
- Genealogies
- Izard Co. 1830 Federal Census
- Marion Co. Early Days
- Marriages 1887-1917
The site also contains details of people currently being researched by members.
Website:
http://www.argenweb.net/marion/historicalsociety.html
River Valley Genealogy Society
The aims of the association are to develop an extensive library, publish and collect historical documents, and to preserve these documents for future generations.
Their site contains a list of Surnames currently being researched by members.
Website:
http://sites.rootsweb.com/~arrvgs/main_page.htm
Saline County History and Heritage Society
The association was established in 1986 and aims to preserve the Saline Co. history. Their Archive is located at 123 N. Market Street, Benton. Their resources include manuscripts, photographs and objects.
Resources include:
- AR Prior Birth Indexes 1849-1908
- Chancery Docket Sheets
- Civil Court Docket Sheets
- Deed Record Books
- Federal Census Indexes
- Genealogies
- Maps
For further information please peruse their on-line catalogue of their resources.
Some publications are available for sale, incorporating:
- Ancestor Charts
- Along the Road to Glory
- Census Transcripts
- Cotton, Cornbread & Cape Jasmines: Early Day Life on the Plantations of the Arkansas River Delta
- Dog Trots & Drawing Rooms: How Arkansans Lived in the Years Between the Two World Wars
- Funeral Home Records
- Marriage Books
- Obituaries and Death Notices
- Taxpayers Lists
- Will and Probate Books
Website:
http://www.schhs.us/
Stone County Historical Society
Their aim is to preserve the history of Stone County for future generations. They maintain the Stone Co. Museum, the Edwin Luther Auditorium, and the Loy and Freda Daum Massey Research Room.
Their website contains:
- Chancery Court Records Decree of Divorce 1874-1889
- Civil War Pension Records
- Civil War Veterans buried in Stone Co. Cemeteries
- Civil War Widow’s Pensions
- Marriages from April 1873 to April 1874
- Real Estate Tax Lists from 1877 and 1890
There is also a list of Cemeteries in the area.