User:Ruth2jones/sandbox/AR Guardianship

Guardianship proceedings occurred when minor children were orphaned, or when only the father or “breadwinner” died. The mother was allowed to retain guardianship if officials considered her circumstances sufficient to provide for the children.

Another 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.

County officials appointed guardians to provide minor children with education or training, making it more likely that the minors would become contributing members of the community rather than wards of the county or state.

Guardianship records usually give the name of the parent(s) who died and the names and ages of the minor children. The 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.

samples
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.


 * [https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32495-24809-33?cc=2061549&wc=M7QZ-168:353252801,353275401 Bradley County Guardian bonds and letters 1857-1904 vol B


 * Arkansas County Guardian bonds and letters 1876-1911 vol 1

These samples give the name of the Guardian and the minor ward, and the date of the guardianship appointment.

websites
A topic list will appear from which you may choose 'Court Records' or 'Probate Records.'
 * 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.
 * Arkansas county probate or court can be found in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog by entering a place search as: UNITED STATES, ARKANSAS, [County]

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 * Arkansas, clerk of court records at court-clerks.org. links to websites only. ($) for record copies
 * provides links to online sources for public court records; searchable by county


 * [http://www.50states.com/arkansas/state_courts.htm


 * a list of county records pertaining to Guardians in Arkansas at Arkansas History Commission
 * a list and descriptions of Guardianship records held by the Arkansas History Commission; searchable by county
 * FHL microfilm numbers and Arkansas History Commission (the State Archives) microfilm roll numbers are included
 * photocopies may be ordered from The Arkansas History Commission or from FamilySearch photo duplication services