Arkansas Guardianship

Introduction
Guardianship is a court ordered appointment of one person (the guardian) to take care of someone who is physically or mentally unable to manage their affairs (the ward). A ward is often a minor child.

Guardianship records have been kept by the clerks of the county courts in Arkansas, sometimes in separate volumes, but most often merely noted in the court minutes.

A person appointed as guardian may be a relative, a friend of the family, or one who could teach the minor(s) a trade. In some cases guardians or administrators were appointed to handle the affairs of adults who were deemed incompetent.

Websites for Arkansas Guardianship

 * Arkansas County Clerk Office Directory at county-clerk.net
 * gives locations and contact information for each county clerk in Arkansas


 * Arkansas records in the FamilySearch Catalog
 * A topic list will appear from which you may choose 'Guardianship', 'Court Records', or 'Probate Records.'
 * Or click "Places within..." for a list of counties


 * County records at Arkansas History Commission
 * Includes guardianship records
 * Select a county
 * Optional: Enter text "Guardian" which will yield more than "Guardianship"
 * Microfilm numbers for Arkansas History Commission and the FamilySearch Catalog are included
 * Click General Photocopy Order Form for services and prices.

Samples of Guardianship Records

 * Arkansas County Guardian bonds and letters 1876-1911 vol 1 This sample gives the name of the Guardian and the minor ward, and the date of the guardianship appointment.