Independence County, Arkansas Genealogy

Guide to Independence 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 in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. The County Seat is Batesville and was founded October 20, 1820. It is located in the north of the state.

County Courthouse
Independence County Courthouse 192 East Main Street Batesville, AR 725091 Phone: 870.793.8828 Independence County Website County Clerk has marriage records from 1826 and probate records from 1839; Clerk Circuit Court has divorce, court and land records; County Library has burial records.

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


 * 1700s - When European observers returned to the area, the White River valley was no longer inhabited.
 * 1815 - Missouri Territory established Lawrence County, a huge area that encompassed most of what became north Arkansas.
 * 1820 October 20 - Independence County established.
 * 1828 - Independence County became an international border zone. The Cherokee traded the land back to the United States and moved west.
 * 1800s (late) - The county moved into the modern era with an economy based on agriculture, timber, and timber products

African Americans

 * 1865-1868 — Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, Batesville at FamilySearch.org — (browsable images only); persons hired, letters

Guardianship

 * Probate Records 1830-1923 Independence County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Administration and guardian bonds and letters 1853-1902; County Court records 1830-1849; Guardian bonds and letters 1868-1895; Letters of administration 1846-1881; Probate records 1839-1881; Wills 1833-1923.

Local Histories

 * Neill, Robert. "Reminiscences of Independence County". Publications of the Arkansas Historical Association - v. 3 (1911).
 * Online at FamilySearch Catalog (Free)
 * Mosier, Susan. Hutchinson Mountain Vol. 2. Floral, Arkansas : S. Mosier, 1997.
 * Online at FamilySearch Catalog (Free)
 * Mosier, Susan. Hutchinson Mountain Vol. 1. Floral, Arkansas : S. Mosier, 1997.
 * 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, Independence County on page 91.]

Civil War

 * - 2nd Regiment, Arkansas Volunteers (Confederate), Company C
 * - 7th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)
 * - 38th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)
 * - 3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union), Companies A, C, K, and M
 * - 4th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Union)


 * Men from this county enlisted in the 4th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), 7th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), 31st Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Companies F and I, 38th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), 45th Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Confederate), and the 1st Regiment, Arkansas Mounted Rifles (Confederate), Company K.
 * - 3rd Regiment, Missouri Cavalry - Confederate, Company 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

Newspapers

 * Batesville Guard

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 1830-1923 Independence County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Administration and guardian bonds and letters 1853-1902; County Court records 1830-1849; Guardian bonds and letters 1868-1895; Letters of administration 1846-1881; Probate records 1839-1881; Wills 1833-1923.

Vital Records
See also How to order Arkansas Vital Records

Marriage

 * 1779-1966 - Arkansas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1826 - 1951 - Independence County Marriage Books [A]-Z, A1-F1 Index 1826-1951 in at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1826 - 1921 - Independence County Marriage Index 1826-1921 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1860 - 1976 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to LDS Family History Centers

Libraries

 * White River Regional Library

Museums

 * Old Independence Regional Museum

Societies

 * Independence County Historical Society

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