Monroe County, Arkansas Genealogy

Guide to Monroe 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 James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States. The County Seat is Clarendon and was founded November 2, 1829. It is located in the central east area of the state.

County Courthouse
Monroe County Courthouse 123 Madison Street Clarendon, AR 72029-2794 Phone: 870.747.3921 Monroe County Website County Clerk has marriage records from 1850 and probate records from 1839; Clerk Circuit Court has divorce records from 1839, court records from 1830 and land records from 1829.

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


 * 1815 October - Federal surveyors Prospect Robbins and Joseph Brown came to Arkansas to begin the survey of the Louisiana Purchase by establishing the initial survey point or base line.
 * 1829 November 2 - Monroe County was established.
 * 1870-1930 - From about 1870 to about 1930, the timber business became important for much of the county as lumber mills were established around the county
 * 1900s - Two natural disasters between 1900 and 1930 devastated large sections of the county. First was a massive tornado on March 8, 1909,. Second was the Flood of 1927.
 * 1920-2010 - The population of Monroe County peaked at 21,600 in 1920 and has dropped to 8,149 today (2010).

Church Records
Presbyterian

'''Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Clarendon


 * 1869-1885 - Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Clarendon Baptism Index 1869-1885. Batch at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1885-1915 - Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Clarendon Marriage Index 1885-1915. Batch at FamilySearch - free.

'''First Presbyterian Church, Clarendon


 * 1870-1885 - First Presbyterian Church, Clarendon Baptism Index 1870-1885. Batch at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1904-1909 - First Presbyterian Church, Clarendon Marriage Index 1904-1909. Batch at FamilySearch - free.

Guardianship

 * Probate Records 1839-1949 Monroe County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Administration bonds and letters 1861-1899; Dockets 1873-1888; Executor records 1865-1945; Guardian bonds and letters 1866-1894; Letters of administration and guardianship 1877-1899; Probate records 1839-1890; Wills 1830-1949.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Maps of Arkansas (1813-1925)

Civil War

 * - 13th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)
 * - 15th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Josey's) (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 1839-1949 Monroe County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Administration bonds and letters 1861-1899; Dockets 1873-1888; Executor records 1865-1945; Guardian bonds and letters 1866-1894; Letters of administration and guardianship 1877-1899; Probate records 1839-1890; Wills 1830-1949.

Marriage

 * 1779-1966 - Arkansas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1850 - 1951 - Monroe County Marriage Books B-Z, CC-HH Index 1850-1951 in at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1850 - 1922 - Monroe County Marriage Books B, D-T Index 1850-1922 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1860 - 1976 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Libraries
Monroe County Library 270 Madison St Clarendon, AR 72029 (870) 747-5593
 * List of Arkansas Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical &amp; Genealogical Societies

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