Montgomery County, Arkansas Genealogy

Guide to Montgomery 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 Richard Montgomery, Revolutionary War General. The County Seat is Mount Ida and was founded December 9, 1842. It is located in the west central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Montgomery County Courthouse 1 George Street Mount Ida, AR 71957 Phone: 870.887.3521 Montgomery County Website County Clerk has marriage, probate, land and court records from 1845; County Agent 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 Montgomery County page on the website, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.


 * 1803 - Montgomery County was included in land claimed by Spain and then France before becoming American property as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
 * 1812 - Kentuckians Martin and Mary Belle Collier were the first recorded white settlers.
 * 1842 December 9 - Montgomery County was organized out of Hot Spring County.
 * 1905 - With the Missouri Pacific Railroad’s arrival, Caddo Gap and Black Springs thrived.
 * 1937 - Mauldin was dismantled and carried off by rail. The lumber company, picking up its tracks as it left, had depleted the virgin timber; this, together with the Depression, had a devastating economic impact on the county.
 * 1910-2010 - Montgomery County population hit its high mark in 1910 (12,400) its low in 1960 (5,400) and now (2010) stands at 9,487.

Guardianship

 * Probate Records 1845-1954 Montgomery County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Guardian bonds 1858-1909; Letters of administration 1859-1912; Probate records 1845-1903; Wills 1863-1954.

Maps and Gazetteers

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

Civil War

 * - 4th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)
 * - 33rd Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Company I

'''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 1845-1954 Montgomery County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Guardian bonds 1858-1909; Letters of administration 1859-1912; Probate records 1845-1903; Wills 1863-1954.

Marriage

 * 1779-1966 - Arkansas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1845 - 1923 - Montgomery County Marriage Books 1, A-G Index 1845-1923 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1851 - 1958 - Montgomery County Marriage Books 1, A-M Index 1851-1958 in at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1860 - 1976 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to LDS Family History Centers

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