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Arkansas Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Arkansas,
United States
Arkansas flag.png
Flag of Arkansas
US Locator Arkansas.png
Location of Arkansas
Record Description
Record Type Probate
Collection years 1817-1979
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites
Archive
County courthouses, Arkansas


What is in This Collection?

This is a collection of probate records, including estate files and other documents created by the probate courts of Arkansas counties. Probates were generally recorded in the county of residence. This collection covers probate records created 1817 to 1979, but the content and time period of the records varies.

Probate records include petitions, inventories, accounts, decrees, oaths of executors, forms about guardians and other court documents.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

To Browse This Collection

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

Wills

  • Name of testator or deceased
  • Names of heirs such as spouse, children, and other relatives or friends
  • Names of witnesses
  • Residence of testator
  • Lists of belongings, property, and so forth
  • Document
  • Recording dates
  • Sometimes the date of death

Marriages

  • Name of groom and bride
  • Place and date of birth of bride
  • Age at marriage
  • Names of witnesses
  • Names of Judge

Collection Content

Sample Images

  • Will record

    Will record

  • Marriage 1919

    Marriage 1919

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

  • The name of your deceased ancestor
  • The approximate death or probate date
  • The residence of the deceased

Search the Index

This collection does not have a searchable index. Only images are available. See View the Images to access them.

View the Images

View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:
  1. Select County
  2. Select Volume Title and Year to view the images
Tip
 More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?

  • Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members

I Found Who the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

  • Add any new information to your records
  • Use a probate record to identify guardians, heirs and relatives
  • Use a will to approximate a death date, then find a death certificate
  • Use the information in the probate record to substitute for civil birth and death records for earlier years
  • Use the information to locate census, christening, marriage and land records.
  • Use the occupations to find employment or military records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

  • Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
  • Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relations that can be verified by records
  • If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
  • Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
  • Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps

The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Arkansas.

FamilySearch Catalog

FamilySearch Historical Records

FamilySearch Digital Library

Known Issues With This Collection

Click here for a list of known issues with this collection.

Citing This Collection

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.
Image Citation:
When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.
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