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.

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 both the FamilySearch Catalog and Arkansas History Commission are included
 * Click General Photocopy Order Form for services and prices.

SAMPLES OF GUARDIANSHIP RECORDS
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.


 * 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.