Arkansas RiverArkansas Genealogy is being developed as a genealogical and historical resource for your personal use. While the original thought was to provide this website as a resource for finding genealogy and historical data concerning Arkansas on the web, we have begun adding specific data to this site for your personal use.

The first settlement by Europeans in Arkansas was made in 1686 by the French at Arkansas Post (later the residence of the French and Spanish governors, important as a trading post in the earlier days of the American occupation, and the first territorial capital, 1810-1820). In 1720 a grant on the Arkansas was made to John Law. In 1762 the territory passed to Spain, in 1780 back to France, and in 1803 to the United States as a part of the ” Louisiana Purchase.” Save in the beginnings of western frontier trade, and in a great mass of litigation left to the courts of later years by the curious and uncertain methods of land delimitation that prevailed among the French and Spanish colonists, the pro American period of occupation has slight connexions with the later period, and scant historical importance. From 1804 to 1812 what is now Arkansas was part of the district (and then the territory) of Louisiana, and from 1812 to 1819 of the territory of Missouri. Its earliest county organizations date from this time. It was erected successively into a territory of the first and second class by acts of Congress of the 2nd of March 1819 and the 21st of April 1820. By act of the 15th of June 1836 it was admitted into the Union as a slave state.

What’s New

History of the First Assembly of God, North Little Rock, Arkansas

On April 2-12, 1914, more than 300 persons met in the Grand Opera House at 200 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas and formed the General Council of the Assemblies of God. Some 14 persons from Argenta attended this meeting. The delegation returned home deciding to remain independent. Eleven years later, on June 4, 1925, the congregation voted to join the Assemblies of God fellowship. Thus the church was set in order and began to be known as the 22nd Street Assembly of God.

Washington County

The fourth county has been added to the site today. Based on the manuscript History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas, this section of the site provides a detailed look into the first 50 years of existence of Washington County. Of particular interest were the sections on the sale of Fayetteville lots (the earliest Fayetteville landowners), Cane Hill Tragedy, and Civil War history.

Arkansas Newspapers

I have updated this page today with links to the Benton County early newspapers as found on this site.

Benton County

The third county has been added to the site today. Based on the manuscript History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas, this section of the site provides a detailed look into the first 50 years of existence of Benton County. Of particular interest were the sections on the battle of Pea Ridge which was located in Benton County, and the early trials which occurred in the county. For the full history see: History of Benton County, Arkansas

Jefferson County

Today I have begun the formation of our second Arkansas County site, with the creation of the Jefferson County, Arkansas Genealogy and History website. Over the next several months I will develop this into a full fledged genealogical and historical website based around Jefferson County.

Arkansas History

Today we take up on the history of Arkansas as a part of the Territory of Louisiana, to when it became known as the Territory of Arkansas, and finally statehood. Brief mention is also made of secession and reconstruction in Arkansas and the government makeup of the time.

Today I posted additional pages on Arkansas history which cover the exploration, and early settlers of Arkansas before it was a state.

I have begun the process of creating pages on Arkansas history, and have posted the first two:

Cemeteries of Arkansas

As complete a list as we have knowledge of showing the various cemeteries of Arkansas.

Surrounding States