Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy: Difference between revisions

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{{Locality
''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Arkansas|Arkansas]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Polk_County,_Arkansas|Polk County]]''
|Name=Polk County
|ID=395546
|Level=2
|Country=United States
|CountryID=1
|Locality1=Arkansas
|Locality1id=367
|Locality2=Polk County
|Locality2id=395546
}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2= [[Arkansas, United States Genealogy|Arkansas]]
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy|Polk County]]
}} 


Guide to '''Polk County, Arkansas ancestry, genealogy and family history''', birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
Guide to '''Polk County Arkansas genealogy.''' Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.  


{| style="width:18%; float:right"
{{DCARbutton}}
|-
 
|
{{Infobox U.S. County
<center><div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Arkansas Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div></center>
 
|-
| county = Polk County
|
{{Infobox U.S. County 2016


|organized= November 30,  1844
| county_map = Ar-polk.png
|county seat= Mena
|parent county= [[Sevier County, Arkansas Genealogy|Sevier]]<ref>''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref>
|variant spellings=
|county1= [[Howard County, Arkansas Genealogy|Howard]]
|county2= [[LeFlore County, Oklahoma Genealogy|LeFlore (OK)]]
|county3= [[McCurtain County, Oklahoma Genealogy|McCurtain (OK)]]
|county4= [[Montgomery County, Arkansas Genealogy|Montgomery]]
|county5= [[Scott County, Arkansas Genealogy|Scott]]
|county6= [[Sevier County, Arkansas Genealogy|Sevier]]</br><center>[[Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy#Maps and Gazetteers|See County Maps]]</center>
|county7=
|county8=
|county9=
|county10=
|county courthouse= [[Image:ArkansasPolkCourthouse.jpg|245x245px]]
|county location in state= [[Image: Ar-polk.png|185x185px]]
|adoption=
}}
|}
<div style="width:17%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>
== County Information ==


=== Description ===
| state = Arkansas
Polk County was created 30 November 1844<ref>Individual County Chronologies, https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/AR_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm</ref> and was named for President James K. Polk.<ref>Genealogy Trails History Group, “Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ark/polk/</ref> Its county seat is Mena.<ref>''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref> It is located in the west-central area of the state.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Polk County, Arkansas," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Polk_County,_Arkansas&oldid=1166319368 (accessed September 14, 2023).</ref>


=== County Courthouse ===
| state_map = Arkansas.png
{{AR Courthouse Intro|Polk}}


'''Polk County Courthouse'''<br>507 Church Avenue <br>Mena, AR 71953<br>Phone: 501-394-8123<br>[https://www.courtreference.com/Polk-County-Arkansas-Courts.htm Polk County Website]<br><br>County Clerk has marriage records from 1885, probate records from 1900 and cemetery records.<br>Clerk Circuit Court has divorce, land and court records from 1885 and military records.<ref>''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref>
| founded year = 1844


=== Polk County, Arkansas ===
| founded date = November 30
{{AR Records Intro}}
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
| bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" colspan="7" | <center>'''Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Polk County, Arkansas. Page 70 {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=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), 67.</ref></center>
|-
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy#Birth|Birth*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy#Marriage|Marriage]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy#Death|Death*]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy#Court Records|Court]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy#Land and Property Records|Land]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy#Probate Records|Probate]]'''
| width="14.2%" bgcolor="#e4d8e5" align="center" | '''[[Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy#Census Records|Census]]'''
|-
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1914
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1885
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1914
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1885
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1885
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1900
| width="14.2%" align="center" |1830
|-
| colspan="7" | <center>*State birth and death records began in 1914. Limited compliance until the 1920s</center>
|}


=== Record Loss ===
| seat wl = Mena
{|
|-
|
'''1883'''  A courthouse fire destroyed all records prior to 1883, except one probate record dating from September 1876, one county court record dating from July 1876, and one circuit court record dating from February 1877.<br><br>
{{Fire+}}
|}


=== Boundary Changes ===
| building image =  
{{AR Boundary Changes Intro|Polk}}
{|
|-
|
*'''1844--'''Polk County was created 30 November 1844 from [[Sevier County, Arkansas Genealogy|Sevier]] County.
*'''County seat:''' Mena<ref>''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref> <br>
*[https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/AR_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies Arkansas Individual County Chronologies] - Newberry Library list of all boundary changes by county
*[https://publications.newberry.org/ahcb/map/map.html#AR Arkansas Historical Borders - Map] at Newberry Library Atlas of Historical County Boundaries; ''Also at:'' [http://www.mapofus.org/arkansas/ mapofus.org] - animated maps illustrating Arkansas county boundary changes


|}
| building address = [http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/AR_Polk.htm Polk County Courthouse]<br>507 Church Avenue; <br>Mena, AR 71953<br>Phone: 501.394.8123 <br>
}} <br>


=== Populated Places ===
== County Courthouse  ==


For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit [https://arkansas.hometownlocator.com/counties/cities,cfips,113,c,polk.cfm Hometown Locator].
[http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/AR_Polk.htm Polk County Courthouse]<br>507 Church Avenue; <br>Mena, AR 71953<br>Phone: 501.394.8123 <br><br>County Clerk has marriage records from 1885, probate records from 1900 and cemetery records; Clerk Circuit Court has divorce, land and court records from 1885 and military records.<ref name="HB">''The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America'', 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), p. 70.</ref>  
The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Polk County, Arkansas," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polk_County,_Arkansas, accessed 13 September 2018.</ref>


{{populated places
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
| cities-col1=<div>
|-
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mena,_Arkansas Mena (county seat)]</div>
| width="100%" bgcolor="#ffcc99" align="center" colspan="6" | <center>'''Beginning years for {{PAGENAME}} government records'''<ref>Alice Eichholz, ''Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources'', 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry Pub., 2004), 65-67. {{WorldCat|55947869|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1185723|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004}}.</ref></center>
| cities-col2=<div>
|-
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wickes,_Arkansas Wickes]</div>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Vital_Records|Birth]]'''
| cities-col3=
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Vital_Records|Marriage]]'''
| towns-col1=<div>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Vital_Records|Death]]'''
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cove,_Arkansas Cove]
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Court|Court]]'''
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grannis,_Arkansas Grannis]</div>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Land_and_Property|Land]]'''
| towns-col2=<div>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Probate_Records|Probate]]'''
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatfield,_Arkansas Hatfield]
|-
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandervoort,_Arkansas Vandervoort]</div>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1914*
| towns-col3=
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1881
| villages-col1=
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1914*
| villages-col2=
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1885
| villages-col3=
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1885
| unincorp-col1=<div>
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1900
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ink,_Arkansas Ink]</div>
|-
| unincorp-col2=
| colspan="6" | <center>*State birth and death records began in 1914. Limited compliance until 1920's</center>
| unincorp-col3=
|}
| census-col1=
| census-col2=
| census-col3=
| townships-col1=<div>
*Acorn (smallpart of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mena,_Arkansas Mena])
*Big Fork
*Cedar
*Center (most of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mena,_Arkansas Mena])
*Cove ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatfield,_Arkansas Hatfield])
*Eagle</div>
| townships-col2=<div>
*Faulkner
*Freedom
*Fulton
*Gap Springs
*Mill Creek
*Mountain</div>
| townships-col3=<div>
*Ouachita
*Ozark ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grannis,_Arkansas Grannis], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wickes,_Arkansas Wickes])
*Potter (small part of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mena,_Arkansas Mena])
*Rich Mountain
*White ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cove,_Arkansas Cove], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandervoort,_Arkansas Vandervoort])</div>
| defunct-townships-col1=
| defunct-townships-col2=
| defunct-townships-col3=
| hist-townships-col1=
| hist-townships-col2=
| hist-townships-col3=
| unorgan-col1=
| unorgan-col2=
| unorgan-col3=
| ghost-col1=
| ghost-col2=
| ghost-col3=
| uncategorized-col1=
| uncategorized-col2=
| uncategorized-col3=
}}


=== History Timeline ===
== History ==
{{AR Historical Timeline Intro|Polk}}


Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were taken from the Polk County page on the website, [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/ The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]. <ref>Roy Vail, ''The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture,'' (http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=800&type=Category&item=Counties&parent=Counties%2c+Cities%2c+and+Towns&grandparent=+%3a+accessed+January+6%2c+2016)%2c : accessed January 15, 2016), “Polk County.”</ref>
==== Parent County ====


== Resources ==
*'''1844--'''Polk County was created 30 November 1844&nbsp;from [[Sevier County, Arkansas|Sevier]] County.&nbsp; '''County seat: '''Mena <ref name="Handybook">''The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'',10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).</ref>
{{AR Resources Intro|Polk}}


=== Bible Records ===
==== Boundary Changes  ====
{{AR Bible Intro|Polk}}
* [http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/polk/polk.htm Polk County Bible Records] at Arkansas USGenWeb Project Archives


=== Biographies  ===
See an interactive map of Polk County [http://www.n2genealogy.com/arkansas/ar-maps.html boundary changes].
{{AR Biographies Intro|Polk}}


=== Business, Commerce, and Occupations ===
==== Variant Spellings  ====
{{AR Business Records Intro|Polk}}


=== Cemeteries ===
==== Record Loss ====
{| style = "border:1px solid black; width:70%;"
|-
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>'''Cemeteries of Polk, Arkansas''' online and in print</center>
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" valign="top" style="border:1px solid black" |
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/search?firstname=&middlename=&lastname=&birthyear=&birthyearfilter=&deathyear=&deathyearfilter=&location=Polk+County%2C+Arkansas%2C+United+States+of+America&locationId=county_149&memorialid=&mcid=&linkedToName=&datefilter=&orderby=r Find a Grave]
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/results?cemetery_country=United%20States&cemetery_state=Arkansas&cemetery_county=Polk&year_range=5&size=15 BillionGraves]
*[http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/polk/polk.htm USGW Tombstone Transcription Project]
*[http://www.interment.net/us/ar/index.htm Interment.net]
*[https://arkansasgravestones.org/cemeteries.php?selected_cid=45 Arkansas Gravestones]
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" | <center>'''Tombstone Transcriptions in Print''' ([[The Value of Cemetery Records in Print |Often more complete]])</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
* {{FSC|United States, Arkansas, Polk - Cemeteries|subject|subject-id=383726720|disp=FamilySearch Catalog}}
* [https://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_all&q=polk%2C+Arkansas+cemeteries+ WorldCat.org]
|-
| width="25%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black" |<center>'''List of Cemeteries in the County'''</center>
|bgcolor="#F0F0F0" style="border:1px solid black" valign="top" |
*[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/search?cemetery-name=&cemetery-loc=Polk+County%2C+Arkansas%2C+United+States+of+America&only-with-cemeteries=cemOnly&locationId=county_149 Find a Grave]
*[https://billiongraves.com/search/cemetery BillionGraves]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?includeIsParent=true&primaryText=Polk,%20Arkansas,%20United%20States&reqParents=395546&reqParentsLabel=County&reqParentsType=209&searchTypeaheadInputText=Search%20Within:Polk,%20Arkansas,%20United%20States&reqTypes=20&reqTypeLabel=Cemetery FamilySearch Places]
|-
| colspan="2" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" style="border:1px solid black"| <center>See '''[[Arkansas Cemeteries]]''' for more information</center>
|}


=== Census Records ===
== Places/Localities  ==
{{AR Census Intro|Polk}}
{{Historical populations
|type = USA
|heading = Census
|footnote = Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polk_County,_Arkansas#Demographics "Wikipedia.org".]
|1850 |1263
|1860 |4262
|1870 |3376
|1880 |5857
|1890 |9283
|1900 |18352
|1910 |17216
|1920 |16412
|1930 |14857
|1940 |15832
|1950 |14182
|1960 |11981
|1970 |13297
|1980 |17007
|1990 |17347
|2000 |20229
|2010 |20662
}}


=== Church Records ===
==== Populated Places  ====
{{AR Church Intro|Polk}}<br>
'''List of Churches and Church Parishes'''
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=395546&reqParentsLabel=Polk%2C%20Arkansas%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=3&reqTypeLabel=Churches%20and%20Church%20Parishes FamilySearch Places]'''
*'''1875-1899''' {{RecordSearch|2790263|Nebraska, Church Records, 1875-1899}} at FamilySearch — index - [[Nebraska, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]


=== Court Records ===
==== Neighboring Counties  ====
{{AR Court Intro|Polk}}
[[Howard County, Arkansas|Howard]] {{•}}
* '''1876-1883''' {{FSC|399527|item|disp=Court Record, 1876-1883}}(*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
[[LeFlore County, Oklahoma|LeFlore County, Oklahoma]] {{•}}
* '''1877-1882''' {{FSC|423533|item|disp=Circuit Court Record, vol. G, 1877-1882}}(*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
[[McCurtain County, Oklahoma|McCurtain County, Oklahoma]] {{•}}
* '''1879-1904''' {{FSC|423490|item|disp=Justice of the Peace Docket, 1879-1904}}(*); Justice of the Peace Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
[[Montgomery County, Arkansas|Montgomery]] {{•}}
* '''1885-1951''' {{FSC|672707|item|disp=Court Records, 1885-1951}}(*); Chancery Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
[[Scott County, Arkansas|Scott]] {{•}}
[[Sevier County, Arkansas|Sevier]] {{•}}
<center>{{ARPolk County, Arkansas Clickable Neighbors}}</center>


=== Directories ===
== Genealogy Resources  ==
{{AR Directories Intro|Polk}}
*'''1970-2024''' {{RecordSearch|5000290|United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Residence Database - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index, coverage may vary<br>


=== Emigration and Immigration ===
==== Research Guides ====
{{AR Emigration Intro|Polk}}


=== Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups ===
==== African Americans  ====
{{AR Ethnic Groups Intro|Polk}}


=== Funeral Homes ===
==== Bible Records ====
{{AR Funeral Homes Intro|Polk}}


*[https://www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com Beasley Wood Funeral Home] in Mena
==== Cemeteries  ====
*[https://www.bowserffh.com Bowser Family Funeral Home] in Mena


=== Genealogies ===
==== Census ====
{{AR Genealogies Intro|Polk}}


=== Guardianship ===
==== Church Records  ====
{{AR Guardianship Intro|Polk}}


*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecapi%2Fsord%2Fwaypoint%2FM7Q8-SNL%3A353277801%3Fcc%3D2061549 Probate Records 1883-1957] Polk County portion of the collection: {{RecordSearch|2061549|''Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979''|access=browse}}: ''Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
{{AR Church Intro}}  
**Includes Administration bonds 1883-1919; Guardian bonds 1883-1921; Probate records 1876-1888; Wills 1901-1957.  - [[Arkansas Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]


=== Land and Property Records ===
==== Court  ====
{{AR Land Intro|Polk}}


''Online Land Indexes and Records''<br>
==== Genealogy  ====
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Land Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]


==== Land and Property  ====


=== Local Histories ===
{{AR Land Intro}}  
{{AR Histories Intro|Polk}}


*''Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas.'' Chicago : Southern Publishing Co., 1891. '''''Online at:''''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/300562-biographical-and-historical-memoirs-of-western-arkansas-comprising-a-condensed-history-of-the-state-a-number-of-biographies-of-distinguished-citizens-of-the-same-a-brief-descriptive-history-of-each-of-the-counties-mentioned-and-numerous-bi?offset=9 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009570646 HathiTrust], [https://archive.org/details/biographicalhist00pres Internet Archive]; {{WorldCat|875428806|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}.
==== Local Histories  ====


=== Maps and Gazetteers ===
{{AR History Intro}}
{{AR Maps Intro|Polk}}
{{AR Neighboring Counties Intro|county={{AR Polk County}}}}


*[http://www.mapofus.org/arkansas/ Maps of Arkansas (1813-1925)]
==== History Timeline ====
*[http://www.historygeo.com/v3/search/ Family Maps of Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy] (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/research/places/?reqParents=395546&reqParentsLabel=Polk%2C%20Arkansas%2C%20United%20States&reqParentsType=209&reqTypeGroups=8&reqTypeLabel=Cities%20and%20Towns FamilySearch Places]: Map of cities and towns in this county - [[FamilySearch Places|How to Use FS Places]]
*[https://digitalheritage.arkansas.gov/maps/ Arkansas State Archives State Maps Collection] at [https://digitalheritage.arkansas.gov/ Arkansas Digital Archives]


=== Migration ===
Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Arkansas County - The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History &amp; Culture [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=745]
{{AR Migration Intro|Polk}}


=== Military Records ===
==== Maps  ====
{{AR Military Intro|Polk}}


==== Civil War ====
*[http://www.historygeo.com/search/ Family Maps of {{PAGENAME}}] (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
{{AR Civil War Intro|Polk}}


{{AR Civil War Regiments|Polk}}
==== Military  ====
:- [[19th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Dawson's) (Confederate)|19th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Dawson's) (Confederate)]]
:- [[33rd Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)|33rd Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)]]
:- [[3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union)|3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union)]] <ref>Desmond Walls Allen, ''Third Arkansas Union Cavalry,'' (Conway, Arkansas: Arkansas Research, c1987), p. 33-92. {{FSC|664007|item|disp=FS Catalog book 976.7 M28dc}}</ref> Company E


'''Online Records
===== Civil War  =====


*'''1861-1865''' {{RecordSearch|1932392|Arkansas Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865}} at FamilySearch — index - [[Arkansas Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
{{VAciv}}  
*'''1890-1963''' {{RecordSearch|2126715|Arkansas Confederate Soldier Home,1890-1963}} at FamilySearch — index & images - [[Arkansas, Confederate Soldier Home Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1891-1939''' {{RecordSearch|1921864|Arkansas Ex-Confederate Pension Records, 1891-1939}} at FamilySearch — index & images - [[Arkansas Ex-Confederate Pension Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1901-1929''' {{RecordSearch|1837922|Arkansas Confederate Pensions, 1901-1929}} at FamilySearch — index & images - [[Arkansas Confederate Pensions - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]


=== Naturalization and Citizenship ===
:- [[19th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Dawson's) (Confederate)|19th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Dawson's)&nbsp;(Confederate)]]
{{AR Naturalization Intro|Polk}}
:- [[33rd Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)|33rd Regiment, Arkansas Infantry&nbsp;(Confederate)]]
:- [[3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union)|3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union)]] <ref>Desmond Walls Allen, ''Third Arkansas Union Cavalry,'' (Conway, Arkansas: Arkansas Research, c1987), p. 33-92. {{FHL|664007|item|disp=FHL book 976.7 M28dc}}</ref> Company E <br>


=== Newspapers ===
==== Naturalization  ====
{{AR Newspapers Intro|Polk}}
*'''1800s-Current''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/50028/ Arkansas, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1800s-1999''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62116/ U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999] at Ancestry - index ($)
{{AR Newspapers|Polk}}


=== Obituaries ===
==== Newspapers  ====
{{AR Obituaries Intro|Polk}}


=== Other Records ===
{{AR Newspapers|Polk}}  
{{AR Other Records Intro|Polk}}


=== Periodicals ===
==== Occupations  ====
{{AR Periodicals Intro|Polk}}


=== Probate Records ===
==== Probate Records ====
{{AR Probate Intro|Polk}}
''Online Probate Indexes and Records''<br>
* '''1783-1998''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8638 Arkansas Wills and Probate Records 1783-1998] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
* '''1817-1979''' {{RecordSearch|2061549|Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979}}(*) at FamilySearch — [[Arkansas Probate Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images
* '''1876-1957''' {{FSC|471346|item|disp=Probate Court Records, 1876-1957}}(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records] at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P00oMDsAsSw How to Search]


{{AR Probate Intro}}


=== School Records ===
*[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FM99B-VPM%3A1370350933%3Fcc%3D2061549 Probate Records 1883-1957] Part of: ''Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979'' FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)  
{{AR Schools Intro|Polk}}
**Includes Administration bonds 1883-1919; Guardian bonds 1883-1921; Probate records 1876-1888; Wills 1901-1957.
===Social Security Records===
*'''1935-2014''' {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} at FamilySearch - [[United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index. ''Also at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/ Ancestry], [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/social-security-death-index findmypast], [https://www.fold3.com/title/830/ Fold3], [https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/ssdi/all GenealogyBank], [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi?s=270606331 MyHeritage], and [https://stevemorse.org/ssdi/ssdi.html Steve Morse].'' [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Death Index (SSDI)|Click here for more information]].
*'''1936-2007''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry ($)] — index, [[United States Social Security Administration Records#Social Security Applications and Claims Index|click here for more information]].
*'''1936-2007''' {{RecordSearch|5000016|United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT) - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


=== Tax Records ===
==== Taxation  ====
{{AR Tax Intro|Polk}}


=== Vital Records ===
{{AR Tax Intro}}  
{{AR Vital Intro|Polk}}


==== Birth ====
==== Vital Records  ====
{{AR Birth Intro|Polk}}


==== Marriage ====
{{AR Vital Intro}}  
{{AR Marriage Intro|Polk}}


*'''1779-1966''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=ar%2carkansas Arkansas, United States Marriages] at Findmypast — index $
===== Birth =====
*'''1800-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20638/arkansas-marriages?s=275764761 Arkansas Marriages] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1860-1976''' {{RecordSearch|2546158|Arkansas Church Marriages, 1860-1976}} at FamilySearch — index & images - [[Arkansas Church Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1881-1923''' Polk County Marriage Books A-N Index 1881-1923 in [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/igi International Genealogical Index] at FamilySearch.<ref>Genealogical Society of Utah, ''Parish and Vital Records List'' (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at [[Media:Arkansasnz.pdf|https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/d/d7/Arkansasnz.pdf]].</ref>
*'''1881-1952'''  Polk County Marriage Books A-W Index 1881-1952 in {{RecordSearch|1417439|Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957}} at FamilySearch - [[Arkansas County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1901-1905''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3434 Polk county Marriages, 1901-05] at Ancestry ($)
*'''1906-1910''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3439 Polk county Marriages, 1906-10] at Ancestry ($)
*'''1917-1969''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61775/ Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1969] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry.com] - index & images ($)


==== Death ====
===== Marriage  =====
{{AR Death Intro|Polk}}
*'''1812-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20537/arkansas-deaths?s=275764761 Arkansas Deaths] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1914-1969''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61777/ Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry.com] - index & images ($)
*'''1935-1961''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10923/arkansas-death-index-1935-1961 Arkansas, Death Index, 1935-1961] at [https://www.myheritage.com/research MyHeritage] - index & images ($)


==== Divorce ====
*'''1881-1952''' - Polk County Marriage Books A-W Index 1881-1952 in {{RecordSearch|1417439|Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957}} at FamilySearch - free.<ref name="hc">FamilySearch Wiki contributors, "[[Arkansas_County_Marriages_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records)|Arkansas County Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]," in ''FamilySearch Wiki,'' accessed 18 April 2013.</ref>
{{AR Divorce Intro|Polk}}
*'''1881-1923''' - Polk County Marriage Books A-N Index 1881-1923 in [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/igi International Genealogical Index] at FamilySearch - free.<ref name="vr">Genealogical Society of Utah, ''Parish and Vital Records List'' (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/d/d7/Arkansasnz.pdf.</ref>
*'''1923-1969''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61776/ Arkansas, Divorces, 1923-1969] at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/ Ancestry.com] - index ($)


=== Voting Records ===
===== Death  =====
*'''1700-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20353/arkansas-voter-registrations?s=275764761 Arkansas Voter Registrations] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1868-1910''' {{RecordSearch|3499874|Arkansas, County Voter Registration Records, 1868-1910}} at FamilySearch — index & images - [[Arkansas, County Voter Registration Records - FamilySearch Historical Record|How to Use this Collection]]


== Research Facilities ==
===== Vital Record Substitutes  =====
{{AR Research Facilities Intro|Polk}}


=== Archives ===
== Genealogy Societies and Libraries  ==
{{AR Archives Intro|Polk}}


=== FamilySearch Centers ===
==== Family History Centers ====
{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}


*[https://locations.familysearch.org/en/us/ar/mena/2590-highway-88-east Mena Arkansas FamilySearch Center]
*[[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers]]
*[[Mena Arkansas Family History Center]] 2590 Hwy 88 E. Mena AR 71953-4509


=== Libraries ===
United States
{{AR Libraries Intro|Polk}}


=== Museums ===
== Websites  ==
{{AR Museums Intro|Polk}}
== Societies ==
{{AR Societies Intro|Polk}}


'''Polk County, Arkansas History and Genealogy'''<br>P.O. Box 1525<br>Mena, AR 71953<br>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/604567923819555 Facebook]<br><br>
*USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
== Websites ==
*{{FHL|Arkansas%2C+Polk|subject|disp=Family History Library Catalog}}
{{AR Websites Intro|Polk}}
*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/AR/Polk/ Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy and Family History] (Linkpendium)


* [http://argenweb.net/polk/ ARGenWeb]
== References  ==
* [http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/polk/polk.htm USGenWeb Archives]
* [http://www.linkpendium.com/polk-ar-genealogy/ Linkpendium]
* [http://www.cyndislist.com/us/ar/counties/polk/ Cyndi's List]
*{{FSC Place IDNum|2342|Arkansas|Polk}}- The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use [https://familysearch.org/search/ Historical Records] to search for specific individuals in genealogical records


== Research Guides ==
<references />
{{AR Research Guides Intro|Polk}}


== References ==
{{Arkansas|Arkansas}}
<references />


{{Arkansas|Arkansas}}
[[Category:IGIcheck]] [[Category:Polk_County,_Arkansas]]
[[Category:IGIcheck]]  
[[Category:Polk_County,_Arkansas]]
[[Category:Arkansas_Counties]]
[[Category:Arkansas, United States]]

Revision as of 12:28, 19 February 2014

United States Gotoarrow.png Arkansas Gotoarrow.png Polk County

Guide to Polk County Arkansas genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.


Polk County, Arkansas
Map
Map of Arkansas highlighting Polk County
Location in the state of Arkansas
Map of the U.S. highlighting Arkansas
Location of Arkansas in the U.S.
Facts
Founded November 30, 1844
County Seat Mena
Courthouse
Address Polk County Courthouse
507 Church Avenue;
Mena, AR 71953
Phone: 501.394.8123

County Courthouse[edit | edit source]

Polk County Courthouse
507 Church Avenue;
Mena, AR 71953
Phone: 501.394.8123

County Clerk has marriage records from 1885, probate records from 1900 and cemetery records; Clerk Circuit Court has divorce, land and court records from 1885 and military records.[1]

Beginning years for Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy government records[2]
Birth Marriage Death Court Land Probate
1914* 1881 1914* 1885 1885 1900
*State birth and death records began in 1914. Limited compliance until 1920's

History[edit | edit source]

Parent County[edit | edit source]

  • 1844--Polk County was created 30 November 1844 from Sevier County.  County seat: Mena [3]

Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]

See an interactive map of Polk County boundary changes.

Variant Spellings[edit | edit source]

Record Loss[edit | edit source]

Places/Localities[edit | edit source]

Populated Places[edit | edit source]

Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]

Howard • LeFlore County, Oklahoma • McCurtain County, Oklahoma • Montgomery • Scott • Sevier •

Template:ARPolk County, Arkansas Clickable Neighbors

Genealogy Resources[edit | edit source]

Research Guides[edit | edit source]

African Americans[edit | edit source]

Bible Records[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

Census[edit | edit source]

Church Records[edit | edit source]

Court[edit | edit source]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

Land and Property[edit | edit source]

Local Histories[edit | edit source]

History Timeline[edit | edit source]

Emphasis for this timeline is on events that affected migration, records, or record-keeping. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events below were gleaned from Arkansas County - The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture [1]

Maps[edit | edit source]

Military[edit | edit source]

Civil War[edit | edit source]

Regiments. Service men in Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Polk County, Arkansas Genealogy:


- 19th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Dawson's) (Confederate)
- 33rd Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)
- 3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union) [4] Company E

Naturalization[edit | edit source]

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Finding More Arkansas Newspapers Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Polk newspapers in online catalogs like:


Occupations[edit | edit source]

Probate Records[edit | edit source]

  • Probate Records 1883-1957 Part of: Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)
    • Includes Administration bonds 1883-1919; Guardian bonds 1883-1921; Probate records 1876-1888; Wills 1901-1957.

Taxation[edit | edit source]

Vital Records[edit | edit source]

Birth[edit | edit source]
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Death[edit | edit source]
Vital Record Substitutes[edit | edit source]

Genealogy Societies and Libraries[edit | edit source]

Family History Centers[edit | edit source]

United States

Websites[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), p. 70.
  2. ↑ Alice Eichholz, Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources, 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry Pub., 2004), 65-67. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004.
  3. ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
  4. ↑ Desmond Walls Allen, Third Arkansas Union Cavalry, (Conway, Arkansas: Arkansas Research, c1987), p. 33-92. FHL book 976.7 M28dc
  5. ↑ FamilySearch Wiki contributors, "Arkansas County Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)," in FamilySearch Wiki, accessed 18 April 2013.
  6. ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/d/d7/Arkansasnz.pdf.
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Extinct Co.
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