Marion County, Arkansas Genealogy
Guide to Marion County, Arkansas ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Marion County was created on 25 December 1835[2] and was named for General Francis Marion, the famous "Swamp Fox" of the Revolutionary War.[3] Its county seat is Yellville.[4] It is located in the north-central area of the state.[5]
County Courthouse
Marion County Courthouse
Hwy 62
P.O. Box 545
Yellville, AR 72687
Phone: 870-449-6226
Marion County Website
County Clerk has marriage, divorce, probate, court and land records from 1888.[6]
Marion County, Arkansas
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1914 | 1888 | 1914 | 1888 | 1888 | 1888 | 1830 |
Record Loss
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1888 A courthouse fire destroyed many records.
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Boundary Changes
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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:[9]
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| Towns | ||
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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 Marion County page on the website, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. [10]
- 1815-1820 - The first white person believed to have been born in Marion County was A. S. “Uncle Bud” Wood, son of William Wood who moved from Tennessee to Marion County as a young man.
- 1820s or 1830s - One of the earliest white families of settlers in Marion County was Mike Yocum and his three brothers, Jess, Solomon, and Jake. These four men came to America from Germany and settled at the mouth of the Little North Fork of White River.
- 1835 - Marion County was created from a portion of the western part of Izard County, although it was immediately renamed Searcy County by the Territorial General Assembly.
- 1836 September 29 - The First General Assembly of Arkansas received a petition from the county requesting the name be reverted to Marion County.
- 1861-1865 - As more and more men were recruited and left home, the county saw an influx of men from other areas who sought to evade service and, banding together, began to plunder the largely defenseless homes and farms.
- 1800s (late) - The population of the county grew dramatically when valuable metal ores began to be mined late in the nineteenth century.
- 1900-1930 - When the mining industry declined, people began to leave Marion County, seeking jobs elsewhere. The Great Depression increased the exodus from the county.
Additional Information
The county is named after "The Swamp Fox" Revolutionary War Brigadier General Francis Marion (c1732-1795).[11]
Resources
Link to available resources for Marion Co:
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 1,325 | — |
| 1850 | 2,308 | 74.2% |
| 1860 | 6,192 | 168.3% |
| 1870 | 3,979 | −35.7% |
| 1880 | 7,907 | 98.7% |
| 1890 | 10,390 | 31.4% |
| 1900 | 11,377 | 9.5% |
| 1910 | 10,203 | −10.3% |
| 1920 | 10,154 | −0.5% |
| 1930 | 8,876 | −12.6% |
| 1940 | 9,464 | 6.6% |
| 1950 | 8,609 | −9.0% |
| 1960 | 6,041 | −29.8% |
| 1970 | 7,000 | 15.9% |
| 1980 | 11,334 | 61.9% |
| 1990 | 12,001 | 5.9% |
| 2000 | 16,140 | 34.5% |
| 2010 | 16,653 | 3.2% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Abstracts of Marion Co Census Records:
Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- FamilySearch Places
- 1875-1899 Nebraska, Church Records, 1875-1899 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Court Records
- 1888-1960 Chancery Court Records, 1888-1960(*); Chancery Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
- Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services in Bull Shoals and Yellville-Summit
- Roller-Burns Funeral Homes in Yellville
Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Index to Deed Records
- Original land owners & plats
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Marion County. They may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more about local histories, see Arkansas Local Histories.
- History of Marion County, Arkansas. By Earl Berry. Yellville, AR: Marion County Historical Association, 1977. Online at: ARGenWeb (transcription).
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of Arkansas (1813-1925)
- Maps: argenweb.net/marion/maps/index.html
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- Arkansas State Archives State Maps Collection at Arkansas Digital Archives
Migration
Military Records
Civil War
Regiments. Men in Marion County served in various regiments and companies. Those listed below were specifically formed in this county:
- - 3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union)[12]
- - 1st Cavalry Battalion (Regiment), Arkansas Cavalry (Stirman's) (Cavalry)[13], Companies A and B
- - 5th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Captain James R. Dowd's company
- - 7th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)
- - 14th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Powers') (Confederate)
- - 27th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Companies A, E and K
Online Records
- 1861-1865 Arkansas Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1890-1963 Arkansas Confederate Soldier Home,1890-1963 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
- 1891-1939 Arkansas Ex-Confederate Pension Records, 1891-1939 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
- 1901-1929 Arkansas Confederate Pensions, 1901-1929 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
Naturalization and Citizenship
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Arkansas, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
Abstracts from Mt Echo Newspapers: MARION COUNTY AR NEWSPAPERS
Finding More Arkansas Newspapers Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Marion newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat
- FamilySearch. Do a Marion County, Arkansas Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see, FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search).
- Fayetteville Democrat at Ancestry.com ($)
- Fayetteville Daily Democrat at Ancestry.com ($)
- Daily Fayetteville Democrat at Ancestry.com ($)
- Northwest Arkansas Times at Ancestry.com ($)
- Courier Times at Ancestry.com ($)
Obituaries
Other Records
- Photos of individuals, families, unknown people, places, etc.
- History of Marion Co's Post Offices
- Stories & miscellaneous information about Marion Co.
Periodicals
Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1783-1998 Arkansas Wills and Probate Records 1783-1998 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1817-1979 Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979(*) at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images
- 1887-1946 Wills (Marion County, Arkansas), 1887-1946.(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1888-1905 Probate Court Minutes (Marion County, Arkansas), 1888-1905(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1889-1921 Bonds and Letters, 1889-1921(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Vital Records
Birth
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| Parent's Ages |
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| Father's Occupation |
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| Current Residence |
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| Name of Doctor or Midwife |
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In 1877, a few county and city clerks[14] started keeping birth and death records.
In 1914, the state law required all county clerks to record births and forward them to the state.
- Arkansas Births and Christenings, 1812-1965 at FamilySearch. (Free, index only)
- Small file, but worth searching. Most entries were user-submitted.
See also: • Arkansas Online Genealogy Records, • How to Find Arkansas Birth Records and • Arkansas Vital Records—Birth.
Marriage
- 1779-1966 Arkansas, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
- 1800-Onward Arkansas Marriages at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- Marriage information taken from old newspapers and those submitted by individuals: argenweb.net/marion/marriage/howtoqry.htm
- 1860-1976 Arkansas Church Marriages, 1860-1976 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
- 1888-1923 Marion County Marriage Books F-J Index 1888-1923 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch.
- 1888-1957 Marion County Marriage Books E-P Index 1888-1957 in Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1917-1969 Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1969 at Ancestry.com - index & images ($)
Death
- 1812-Onward Arkansas Deaths at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1914-1969 Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969 at Ancestry.com - index & images ($)
- 1935-1961 Arkansas, Death Index, 1935-1961 at MyHeritage - index & images ($)
Link to obituaries: Argenweb Includes obituaries or death information found in early newspapers from the 1800s and 1900s, plus current obituaries beginning in 2000.
Divorce
- 1923-1969 Arkansas, Divorces, 1923-1969 at Ancestry.com - index ($)
Voting Records
- 1700-Onward Arkansas Voter Registrations at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1868-1910 Arkansas, County Voter Registration Records, 1868-1910 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Marion County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Arkansas Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Harrison Arkansas FamilySearch Center
- Mountain Home Arkansas FamilySearch Center
- Jim G Ferguson Searcy County Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Marion County. For state-wide library facilities, see Arkansas Archives and Libraries.
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Marion County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Arkansas Societies.
Marion County Arkansas Heritage Society
P.O. Box 761
Yellville, AR 72687
Email: marioncountyarheritagesociety@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Websites
- ARGenWeb
- USGenWeb Archives
- Linkpendium
- Cyndi's List
- FamilySearch Catalog - 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
Research Guides
References
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Individual County Chronologies, https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/AR_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Marion County, Arkansas Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ark/marion/
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Marion County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_County,_Arkansas
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Marion County, Arkansas. Page 69 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 66.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Marion County, Arkansas," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_County,_Arkansas, accessed 6 September 2018.
- ↑ Sherry Sanders-Gray, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture, (http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=789&type=Category&item=Counties&parent=Counties%2c+Cities%2c+and+Towns&grandparent=: accessed January 14, 2016), “Marion County.”
- ↑ "Francis Marion," Wikipedia.
- ↑ Desmond Walls Allen, Third Arkansas Union Cavalry, (Conway, Arkansas: Arkansas Research, c1987), p. 33-92. FS Catalog book 976.7 M28dc
- ↑ Desmond Walls Allen, The Seventh Arkansas Confederate Infantry, (Conway, Arkansas: Arkansas Research, c1988) FS Catalog book 976.7 M22adw
- ↑ such as Sebastian County (Fort Smith) and Pulaski County (Little Rock) (No entry in FamilySearch Catalog found for Pulaski County nor for Little Rock, Aug 2014)
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/0/0d/Igiarkansasem.pdf.