Arkansas Genealogy

Arkansas Genealogy is designed to serve as a comprehensive genealogical and historical resource for your personal use. Initially intended to be a guide for finding Arkansas-related genealogy and historical information on the web, we have now expanded to include specific data directly on this site for your convenience.

The first European settlement in Arkansas was established by the French in 1686 at Arkansas Post. This site later served as the residence for both French and Spanish governors, a crucial trading post during early American occupation, and the first territorial capital from 1810 to 1820. In 1720, John Law received a land grant on the Arkansas River. The territory changed hands, passing to Spain in 1762, back to France in 1780, and finally to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Apart from its role in early western frontier trade and the complex land disputes left by French and Spanish colonists, the pre-American period holds little historical significance compared to later years.

From 1804 to 1812, present-day Arkansas was part of the Louisiana district, which later became the Louisiana Territory. From 1812 to 1819, it was part of the Missouri Territory. The earliest county organizations in Arkansas date back to this period. Arkansas was designated a territory of the first and second class by acts of Congress on March 2, 1819, and April 21, 1820, respectively. On June 15, 1836, it was admitted to the Union as a slave state.

Featured History of Arkansas

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:

Arkansas County History and Genealogy

New Cemeteries

Surrounding States Genealogy

New Arkansas Genealogy

Biography of C. W. Cox of Conway

C. W. Cox, born in 1854 in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the postmaster of Conway and a notable lawyer. The fourth of five children, he moved with his parents, John T. and Catharine (Rowen) Cox, to Coffey County, Kansas. His father was a prominent politician and the designer of Kansas’ coat-of-arms. C. W. Cox was educated in Kansas and Michigan, graduating from the University of Michigan in 1877. He began his legal practice in Conway, Arkansas, in 1878. Appointed postmaster in 1889, Cox is a respected community figure and a dedicated Republican. He married Carrie Bruce in 1882, and they have…
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Biography of George T. Clifton of Conway

George T. Clifton, born in 1844 in Cherokee County, Alabama, was the eldest of two children of James M. and Annie G. (Daniel) Clifton. His father, a successful planter and merchant, served as a major in the Confederate army and later moved to Faulkner County, Arkansas, in 1866. George T. Clifton, educated in Alabama, joined the Confederate army in 1861 and fought in numerous battles. After the war, he relocated to Arkansas, where he became a successful planter and prominent citizen. Serving as Faulkner County treasurer since 1876, Clifton was deeply involved in local politics and various fraternal organizations. He…
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Biography of G. W. Bruce of Faulkner County

G. W. Bruce, born in 1838 in Charleston, S.C., was a prominent attorney in Faulkner County. After his father’s death in 1841, he moved to Whitfield County, Ga., with his mother. Educated locally, he studied law under Col. Henry S. Simms and began practicing in 1859. Bruce served in the Confederate army, participated in significant battles, and was captured and paroled by war’s end. Settling in Faulkner County in 1873, he developed extensive land holdings and became a key figure in local development. Politically active as a Democrat, Bruce also served in the legislature and was involved in numerous legal…
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Biography of Franklin C. Bartlett

Franklin C. Bartlett, born April 8, 1841, in Newcastle County, Delaware, was a successful farmer and stock raiser of English descent, related to Gov. Bartlett of Colonial fame. His parents, Jonathan and Eliza (Jackson) Bartlett, originally from Maryland, moved to Conway County, Arkansas, in 1849. Franklin served in the 62nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and later resided in Illinois before returning to Arkansas. He married twice, first to M. H. Burns and then to Mary White, fathering nine children. Active in community and church, Bartlett was a dedicated farmer and member of several fraternal organizations.
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Biography of Thomas B. Adams of Tupelo Township

Thomas B. Adams, born October 25, 1864, in Louisville, Kentucky, is recognized for his progressive ideas and sterling qualities. His parents, T. T. and A. M. (Holder) Adams, were from Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, and settled in Faulkner County, Arkansas, in 1881. Raised in North Alabama, Thomas received a practical education and pursued farming. In 1887, he homesteaded eighty acres, with seventy under cultivation. Active in the Union Labor party and an advocate for education and prohibition, he has held positions in the Salem and Cadron Gap Agricultural Wheels. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Conway…
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Biography of William H. Adams of Faulkner County

William H. Adams, born April 29, 1859, is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in Faulkner County. His parents, Charles and Ellen (Rankin) Adams, were early settlers of Perry County, Arkansas. William, the couple’s only child, has dedicated his life to farming in his birthplace. On February 4, 1885, he married Maggie Duke, daughter of influential farmer J. R. Duke. They have two daughters, Nancy E. (born 1886) and Birtie J. (born 1889). William cultivates twenty of his forty acres, producing cotton, corn, and oats. Active in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, he is also a member of the Agricultural Wheel…
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Faulkner County Death Records Index 1941-1948

Information in the “Faulkner County Death Records Index 1941-1948” includes the name of the deceased (last name, first name, first three letters of the middle name), the reported death date, and their age at death.
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