Randolph County, Arkansas Genealogy

Guide to Randolph 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 John Randolph. The County Seat is Pocahontas and was founded October 29, 1835. It is located in the northeast area of the state.

County Courthouse
Randolph County Courthouse 107 W Broadway Pocahontas, AR 72455 Phone: 870.892.5822 Randolph County Website County Clerk has marriage and probate records from 1837; Circuit Clerk has divorce, land, military, and court records 1836.

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 Randolph County page on the website, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.

Guardianship

 * Probate Records 1836-1920 Randolph County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Administration bonds and letters 1852-1903; Chancery Court records 1858-1880; County Court records 1836-1861; Dockets 1868-1904; Guardian bonds 1858-1887 and 1891; Probate record index 1867-1920; Probate records 1837-1890; Wills 1836-1918.

Local Histories

 * Cherokee Bay Post Office
 * History of Randolph County at Ancestry.com ($)
 * "Arkansas border towns". The Ripley County heritage - v. 13 (2004) - v. 13, no. 4 (winter 2004).
 * Online at FamilySearch Catalog (Free)
 * Dalton, Lawrence. History of Randolph County, Arkansas. Little Rock, Arkansas : Democrat Print. and Lithographing, 1946?.
 * Online at FamilySearch Catalog (Free)

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Maps of Arkansas (1813-1925)

Revolutionary War

 * A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census]. 1841. Digital version at Google Books. 1967 reprint: 973 X2pc 1840. [See Arkansas, Randolph County on page 191.]
 * Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." 973 M24ur; digital version at Ancestry ($). [Includes veterans from this county; Arkansas section begins on page 439.]

Civil War

 * Men from this county served in the 7th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate).
 * Men from this county served in Captain Ballard's Company, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)
 * Men from Pocahantas, Randolph County served in Anderson's Unattached Battalion, Arkansas Cavalry (Confederate) and Fagan's Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Confederate)
 * Men from this county served in the 45th Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry.
 * Men from this county served in the 38th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate).
 * Men from this county served in the 31st Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Companies A and B.

'''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 1836-1920 Randolph County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Administration bonds and letters 1852-1903; Chancery Court records 1858-1880; County Court records 1836-1861; Dockets 1868-1904; Guardian bonds 1858-1887 and 1891; Probate record index 1867-1920; Probate records 1837-1890; Wills 1836-1918.

Marriage

 * 1779-1966 - Arkansas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1836 - 1951 - Randolph County Marriage Books 1-42 Index 1836-1951 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1837 - 1947 - Arkansas County Marriage Books F-Z, A1-B1 Index 1882-1947 in at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1860 - 1976 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Societies
Riley-Hickingbotham Library Ouachita Baptist University OBU Box 3742 Arkadelphia, AR 71998 870/245-5119 Official depository for records of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. See the every-name index to association records through the year 1900 (PDF). The index can be downloaded for off-line research. Randolph County Historical and Genealogical Society 111 W. EVERETT POCAHONTAS, AR 72455 (870) 892-5617 (Randolph County Library)
 * 111 W. Everett Pocahontas, AR 72455 (870) 892-5617 (Randolph County Library)

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 resources. 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