Lawrence County, Arkansas Genealogy

Guide to Lawrence 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 Captain James Lawrence who fought in the War of 1812. It is located in the northeast area of the state.

County Courthouse
Lawrence County Courthouse P.O. Box 553 315 W Main; Walnut Ridge, AR 72476 Phone: 870.886.1111 Lawrence County Website County Clerk has marriage and probate 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 Lawrence County page on the website, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.


 * Arkansas became United States territory with the Louisiana Purchase.
 * 1800s (early) - White settlers first inhabited the county’s western regions
 * 1815 January 15 - Lawrence County was created. The “Mother of Counties,” Lawrence County once covered a majority of north Arkansas, an enormous stretch of land ultimately forming thirty-one counties.
 * 1816 - The earliest important settlement was at Davidsonville along the Black River. Named for territorial legislator John Davidson, the town served as the first county seat. Yellow fever ended the settlement.
 * 1861-1865 - During the Civil War, Lawrence County escaped damage.
 * 1800s (mid) - Powhatan experienced explosive growth and soon sported mills, shops, and hotels. Because of this growth, it became the county seat in 1869.
 * 1940-2010 - Lawrence County population hit its high mark in 1940 (22,600) and has a slow decline to a prsent (2010) low mark of 17,400.

Census Records
1820 is missing


 * 1850 Lawrence County Sharp County ARGenWeb

Land and Property Records
Lawrence County Federal Land Records USGenWeb Archives


 * Lawrence County Assessor's Searchable Public Records Database
 * Lawrence County Landmarks

Local Histories

 * Early Lawrence County History Nancy's Lawrence County Corner
 * Settlement of Lawrence County and Powhatan 1803-1890 Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
 * Arkansas Territorial Papers Part 1 USGenWeb Archives
 * Arkansas Territorial Papers Part 2 USGenWeb Archives
 * Arkansas Territorial Papers Part 3 USGenWeb Archives
 * Arkansas Territorial Papers Part 4 USGenWeb Archives
 * Arkansas Territorial Papers Part 5 USGenWeb Archives

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Family Maps of Lawrence County, Arkansas Genealogy (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
 * Arkansas Maps and Atlases

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, Lawrence County on page 191.]

Civil War

 * - 1st Regiment, Arkansas Mounted Rifles (Confederate), Company E
 * - 7th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)
 * - 8th Battalion, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Companies Cand G
 * - 38th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate),
 * - 45th Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Confederate) ,
 * - 3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union), Companies C and E

'''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
 * Edward Gerdes' Arkansas Civil War Rosters

Newspapers

 * The Times Dispatch
 * Jonesboro Sun

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 1817-1969 Lawrence County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Administration and guardian bonds and letters 1859-1927; Administration bonds and letters 1839-1866; Administration records 1821-1873; Dockets 1873-1906; Indentures and articles of incorporation 1883-1904; Probate packets 1820-1885; Probate records 1833-1894; Wills 1817-1885.

Marriage

 * 1779-1966 - Arkansas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1821 - 1967 - Lawrence County Marriage Index (1821-1901), Western District Index (1901-1967), Eastern District Index (1904-1944) in at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1821 - 1926 - Lawrence County Marriage Index 1821-1926 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1860 - 1976 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * Lawrence County Arkansas Marriages Lawrence County ARGenWeb

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Societies

 * Lawrence County Historical Society

Websites

 * Lawrence County, ARGenWeb
 * 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