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.
- Louisiana Territory
- Arkansas Territory
- Secession in Arkansas
- Arkansas Reconstruction
- The Poland Committee
- Leaders of Arkansas Territory
Today I posted additional pages on Arkansas history which cover the exploration, and early settlers of Arkansas before it was a state.
- Ferdinand de Soto in Arkansas
- Marquette and Joliet in Arkansas
- La Salle, Hennepin and Tonti in Arkansas
- The Bubble of John Law
- Proprietary Change of Louisiana Territory
- French and Spanish Settlers in Arkansas
- Early English Settlers in Arkansas
- The New Madrid Earthquake
I have begun the process of creating pages on Arkansas history, and have posted the first two:
Arkansas County History and Genealogy
- Arkansas County Arkansas Genealogy
- Benton County, Arkansas Genealogy
- Carroll County Arkansas Genealogy
- Faulkner County Arkansas Genealogy
- Jefferson County, Arkansas Genealogy and History
- Washington County, Arkansas Genealogy and History
New Cemeteries
- Barlow Cemetery – Magnolia, Columbia, Arkansas
- Bethel Cemetery – Glenwood, Pike, Arkansas
- Caney Valley Cemetery – Pike County, Arkansas
- Chalybeat Springs Cemetery – Emerson, Columbia, Arkansas
- Coker Cemetery – Rosboro, Pike, Arkansas
- Ebenezer Cemetery – Glenwood, Pike, Arkansas
- Ebenezer Cemetery – Magnolia, Columbia, Arkansas
- Frazier Cemetery – Magnolia, Columbia, Arkansas
- Glenwood Cemetery – Glenwood, Pike, Arkansas
- Grizard Cemetery – White County Arkansas
- Hephzibah Cemetery – Emerson, Columbia, Arkansas
- I. O. O. F. Cemetery – West Helena, Phillips, Arkansas
- Miller Cemetery – Magnolia, Columbia, Arkansas
- Mt. Moriah Cemetery – Murfreesboro, Pike, Arkansas
- Mt. Vernon Cemetery – Waldo, Columbia, Arkansas
- Oak Grove Cemetery – Conway, Faulkner, Arkansas
- Old Ebenezer Cemetery – Glenwood, Pike, Arkansas
- Palmer Chapel Cemetery – Rosboro, Pike, Arkansas
- Pleasant Hill Cemetery – Nevada County, Arkansas
- Powers Chapel Cemetery – Pike County, Arkansas
- Salem Cemetery – Magnolia, Columbia, Arkansas
- Salem Cemetery – Salem, Pike, Arkansas
- Sharmon Cemetery – Magnolia, Columbia, Arkansas
- Smyrna Cemetery – Magnolia, Columbia, Arkansas
- Spotville Cemetery – Magnolia, Columbia, Arkansas
- Sweet Home Cemetery – Nathan, Pike, Arkansas
- Valley Grove Cemetery – Kirby, Pike, Arkansas
- Ware Cemetery – Emerson, Columbia, Arkansas
- Western Cemetery – Magnolia, Columbia, Arkansas
Surrounding States Genealogy
New Arkansas Genealogy
McDaniel Cemetery, Hatfield, Arkansas
This cemetery is located about two miles south east of Hatfield off the Old Line Road (Polk 31) about one hundred yards on the west side, just before crossing Six Mile Creek. the land where this cemetery is located was owned by Lawrence Parsons on 3/15/1984. SW, Section 25, Township 3 South, Range 32 WestNo Parcel # Very few people remember this cemetery and those who do can remember only one burial. That is the burial of the mother of Tone Hays, the caretaker of the Six-Mile Cemetery and a freed Negro slave. There are other stones here and it…
Moore Cemetery, Bethesda, Arkansas
This cemetery is located on the land now owned by John Hilton (1984). Mr. Hilton is interest in contacting the people who have relatives buried here. He would like to have the cemetery restored and fenced as it was at one time. It is in a very bad state, overgrown with trees, bushes and weeds, and some of the tombstones are gone. Mr. Hilton has lived in this area for fifteen years, but just recently acquired the land where this cemetery is located. Anyone wishing to help with the restoration of this cemetery should contact John Hilton, Mr. Hilton says…
Mineral Cemetery, Polk County, Arkansas
Location Information West and South of Highway 71, near Sevier County line on Polk 201Pt SE, SE, Section 31, Township 6 South, Range 31 WestParcel # 9264 Bert Higgins and his wife, Maggie, moved to Mineral in 1919. It was during that year that Bert began to help keep the cemetery clean by cutting the grass with a scythe and hauling out rocks with a wheelbarrow. This cemetery is located on a hill just North of Bert’s house. He has been caretaker for many years and although he has traded his scythe for a lawnmower, he continues to make this…
Miller Cemetery, Cove, Arkansas
Location Information One and three-fourths miles south of Cove on the east side of Highway 71Section 22 (?), Township 4 South, Range 32 WestParcel # ? The beginning of Miller Cemetery was with the burial of Cliff Miller in 1976. At his death, Lorene carried out her husband’s request. She secured the proper documents and buried him on his own land. Cliff and his mother, Leona, are the only people, who have been buried here, as of August 8, 1983. Internments Miller, Cliff – 7/27/1918 – 7/27/1976 – (husband of Leona Miller)Shook, Leona Barnett Miller – 8/12/1896 – 12/25/1978 -…
McKinney Cemetery, Old Potter, Arkansas
Location Information About one mile east of Old Potter on a hill North of the road. (Polk 412 ?) SW,SW of Section 27, Township 2 South, Range 31 West Parcel # 7063 Internments Cole, C.C. “Lum” – 3-23-1861 to 10-13-1944Cole, Claude – 12-25-1892 to 6-14-1978 – U.S. Army W.W. #1Cole, Mary A – 12-1-1968 to 5-22-1927Cole, Victor – 8-27-1897 to 2-11-1899 – Son of C.C. and M.A. ColeHicks, Maurice – 6-20-1891 to 3-7-1942Hicks, William O. – 2-6-1889 to 11-17-1969 – Pvt BN U S Guards W.W.#1 OklahomaMcKinney, Bunyan – 1-15-1854 to 3-5-1882McKinney, Mary D – 3-20-1826 to 5-23-1897 – Born: …
Lower Big Fork Cemetery, Big Fork, Arkansas
Location & Information Highway 8 East from Mena to State Highway 370, Turn Left on Polk 667 before Opal.Pt NW of Section 28, Township 2 South, Range 28 WestParcel # 775-0025 Internments Standridge, Harold Henderson: b. 5/10/1931, Opal, Polk, AR d. 7/12/1980, Sierra Vista, AZWife, Dorcas Margo Savage; Father: Monroe Cleveland Standridge; Mother: Ora Ethel Howell Submitted by Robert Perry
Lone Valley Cemetery, Hatfield, Arkansas
Location & Information Four miles Southeast of Hatfield on Six Mile Road (Polk 34) just after McDaniel Chicken Farm on right.Section 29, Township 3 South, Range 31 WestParcel # In this cemetery on 7/24/1983 there are eighty-two visible graves which are either unmarked or the markers are not legible. The Six Mile Road (Polk 34) is important as it is the only approach to this cemetery. It is also interesting to note, to the observing motorist, that this road forks one mile west of the cemetery, forming two roads, each the Six Mile Road. The north fork intersects the Old…
Little Africa or Piney Cemetery, Nunley, Arkansas
Location & Information One mile South of Nunley, North of bluff that overlooks Board Camp Creek. The writer had stated Board Camp Creek; however, where the writer located the Cemetery this is really Wolf Creek. You would turn right on Polk 56 and stay straight on Polk 57.? Section 35, Township 2 South, Range 30 Westor Section 2, Township 3 South, Range 30 West ?Parcel # Frank Hill, the Allens, The Moores, the Will Rays, Bob Gray, the widow Bimer and her three small children, Aunt Becky, Aunt Fanny, Nelse Ray, Cicero and Aunt Cush were some of the “black…
Little Cemetery, Rich Mountain, Arkansas
Location & Information Two and one-half miles West of Rich Mountain on Highway 270-59SW 1/4, Section 26, Township 1 North, Range 32 WestNot on the Polk County, Arkansas Tax Roll Latitude: 344253NLongitude: 0942220WElevation in Feet: 2425Government Map: Rich Mountain North of the railroad and Big Creek, around the bend, past two houses, now standing, is an old wagon road that goes up the south side of Blackfork Mountain to the Sam Little place. On top of the mountain and to the left a few hundred yards is the Little Cemetery, which contains nine graves. There are only two or three…
Liberty Cemetery, Board Camp, Arkansas
Location & Information About two miles Northwest of Board Camp, Left on Polk 660 off of Highway 8 East, left on Polk 657, right on Polk 63, Left on Polk 59, cemetery on rightW/2, SE, NW, Section 21, Township 2 South, Range 29 WestParcel # 2216 Liberty is one of the older cemeteries in Polk County. It is located in the Crystal Hill Community. There were two graves herein 1867 when a wagon train, lead by Jason Harrison, stopped in this area, due to illness of the travelers. The grandchildren of Jason Harrison, seven year old, Marry Harris, and twelve…