Cleburne County, Arkansas Genealogy

Guide to Cleburne County, Arkansas ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Description
The county was named for Patrick Cleburne. The County Seat is Heber Springs and was founded February 20, 1883. It is located in the north central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Cleburne County Courthouse 301 W Main Street; Heber Springs, AR 72543 Phone: 501.362.4620 Cleburne County website County Clerk has marriage, probate, divorce, court, and land records from 1883.

Populated Places
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:

History Timeline
Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were taken from the Cleburne County page on the website, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.


 * 1812 - The earliest known Anglo-Americans to settle in what is now Cleburne County were John Benedict and his brothers-in-law, William, Davis, and John Standlee.
 * 1828 - The Arkansas Cherokee agreed to give up their reservation in exchange for lands west of Arkansas Territory.
 * 1850s - By midcentury, there were colonies of families who had traveled together from Kentucky or Tennessee.
 * 1861 - At the time of the Civil War, what was to become Cleburne County had fewer than 1,000 residents.
 * 1870 - The area had lost population.
 * 1880 - The county swiftly recuperated, with the population almost doubling, from 2,210 in 1870 to 4,025 in 1880.
 * 1883 January 27 - The new county was formed from parts of Independence, Van Buren and White counties.
 * 1908 - Construction of the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad (M&amp;NA) opened the remote valley to the world.

Church Records
Presbyterian

'''Nazareth Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Quitman


 * 1878-1885 - Nazareth Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Quitman, Baptism Index 1878-1885. Batch at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1878-1895 - Nazareth Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Quitman, Marriage Index 1878-1895. Batch at FamilySearch - free.

Guardianship

 * Probate Records 1881-1962 Cleburne County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Administration and guardian bonds and letters 1883-1918; Chancery Court records 1883-1897; Dockets 1883-1893; Probate record index 1881-1962; Probate records 1883-1897; Wills 1901-1923.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Maps of Arkansas (1813-1925)
 * Family Maps of Cleburne County, Arkansas Genealogy (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.

Civil War

 * - 2nd Regiment, Arkansas Volunteers (Confederate), Company C
 * - 10th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)

'''Online Records


 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1890-1963 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1891-1939 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1901-1929 - at FamilySearch — images only

Probate Records
'''Online Probate Records
 * 1783 – 1998 Arkansas Wills and Probate Records 1783-1998 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1817 – 1979 at FamilySearch — images
 * Probate Records 1881-1962 Cleburne County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Administration and guardian bonds and letters 1883-1918; Chancery Court records 1883-1897; Dockets 1883-1893; Probate record index 1881-1962; Probate records 1883-1897; Wills 1901-1923.



Marriage

 * 1779-1966 - Arkansas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1860 - 1976 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1883 - 1896 - Cleburne County Marriage Books 1-15 Index 1883-1896 in at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1883 - 1923 - Cleburne County Marriage Books 1-8 Index 1883-1923 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to LDS Family History Centers
 * Quitman Arkansas Family History Center 6556 Heber Springs Road, Quitma, AR 72131-8808 United States

Websites

 * 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 ($)
 * CyndisList. Free. Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
 * - 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