Van Buren County, Arkansas Genealogy

Guide to Van Buren 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 Martin Van Buren, President of the United States, who was Vice President at the time of the county's formation. It is located in the north central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Van Buren County Courthouse Main &amp; Briggs; Clinton, AR 72031 Phone: 501.745.4140 Van Buren County Website County Clerk has marriage, court and land records from 1859, divorce records from 1874 and probate records from 1860

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

Maps and Gazetteers

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

Civil War

 * - 1st Battalion, Arkansas Cavalry (Stirman's) (Confederate), Company C
 * - 10th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate),
 * - 16th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Company F
 * - 31th Regiment, Arkansas Confederate Infantry, Companies B, D, and F
 * - 31st Regiment, Arkansas Infantry
 * - 36th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Company D
 * - 3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union), Companies B, G, H, I, and M

'''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 1859-1954 Van Buren County portion of the collection: : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
 * Includes Probate records 1859-1891; Wills 1889-1954.

Vital Records
See also How to order Arkansas Vital Records

Marriage

 * 1779-1966 - Arkansas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1860 - 1976 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1865 - 1951 - Van Buren County Marriage Books [1]-17 Index 1865-1951 in at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1865 - 1895 - Van Buren County Marriage Index 1865-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Societies
River Valley Genealogy Society Researchers interested in CONWAY, FAULKNER, PERRY, POPE, YELL AND VAN BUREN COUNTIES. Farm Bureau Building 201 E. Shady Lane Morrilton, Arkansas

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