Arkansas Vital Records Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This index covers events from 1837 through 1944.

Record Description
Digital database of information transcribed from original records.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in birth index entries may include:


 * Name of the child
 * Gender
 * Names of the parents
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Christening date (if the source is a church record)
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

The key genealogical facts found in marriage index entries may include:


 * Name of the bride and groom
 * Names of the parents
 * Marriage date
 * Marriage place
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

The key genealogical facts found in death or burial index entries may include:


 * Name of the deceased
 * Gender
 * Names of the parents
 * Name of the spouse (if married)
 * Death or burial date
 * Death or burial place
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

Coverage Table
This collection is a partial index of records for the localities listed below as of April 2010. The table below shows the number of records by locality. Localities not listed may not have any records in this collection.

Most of these records date from the time period indicated in the columns below; however, there may be records before and after these dates. Record counts where the locality information was incomplete are included below under the country name. Because of this, you may wish to search only by state.

As this is an index of records compiled from various sources, it is strongly recommended that you verify the information in original records. Due to privacy laws not all records may be displayed.

How to Use the Record
Use this file to help you learn more about your ancestors. The information could help you identify family relationships and lineages as well as direct you to original records of your ancestors, which may contain additional information.

Depending on the time period and place there may not be a surname listed in the original records. When that happened, the indexer often assigned a surname based on the father's surname which may not be correct. So if you are looking for a birth/christening, search by the given name of the child, adding parents' names and as much locality information as is permitted.

Record History
For over 30 years, volunteer indexers extracted this information from microfilm copies of the original records. In 1998, a few of the entries were published on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the "North America Vital Records Index." This index is an index of the births, marriages, and deaths throughout Arkansas. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.

Why This Record Was Created
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsored the indexing to accomplish its program of identifying the ancestry of mankind.

Record Reliability
Church records and civil registration were official sources and are some of the most reliable sources of information available on those who were born, married, or died in Arkansas.

Related Web Sites
This section of the article is incomplete. You can help FamilySearch Wiki by supplying links to related websites here.

Related Wiki Articles
Arkansas Vital Records

Sources of Information for This Collection
"Arkansas Births and Christenings, 1880-1893," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Arkansas.

"Arkansas County Marriages, 1837-1957," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Arkansas.

"Arkansas Deaths and Burials, 1882-1929; 1945-1963," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Arkansas.

Each record in this index will have its own bibliographic reference. These bibliographic references include a variety of sources such as:


 * Family Records
 * Church Records
 * Civil Registration

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from the record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find th record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you do not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched in found in the Wiki Article: How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection

 * Arkansas Birth and Christenings, 1880-1893. digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: January 7,2011). Birth on Nealsey M. Anderson, 16 Oct, Fort Smith, Sebastian, Arkansas, film number 1034298
 * Arkansas Marriages, 1837-1944. digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: January 4,2011). Marriage of George Smith 17 Jul 1913 Lafayette, Arkansas, film number 1004497.
 * Arkansas Deaths and Burials, 1882-1929; 1945-1963 digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: January 7, 2011). Death of Martha Laura Baker, 30 Jul 1945, Fort Smith, Sebastian, Arkansas, film number 1034199.