Difference between revisions of "Benton County, Arkansas Genealogy"
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{{Family History Centers Intro}} | {{Family History Centers Intro}} | ||
| − | + | *[[Springdale Arkansas Jones Family Center Family History Center]] | |
| − | *[[Springdale Arkansas Jones Family Center Family History Center]] | + | *[[Rogers Arkansas Family History Center]] |
| − | *[[Rogers Arkansas Family History Center]] | ||
=== Libraries === | === Libraries === | ||
Revision as of 08:37, 24 November 2020
Guide to Benton County, Arkansas ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 2.29 Voter Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for United States Senator Thomas Hart Benton. It is located in the northwestern area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Benton County Courthouse
215 E. Central, Suite 217
Bentonville, AR 72712-0699
Telephone: 479.238.0120
Benton County Website
County Clerk has marriage records from 1861 and probate records from 1859;
Clerk Circuit Court has divorce, court, and land records.[3]
Benton County, Arkansas[edit | edit source]
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* | 1861 | 1914* | 1837 | 1837 | 1859 | 1830 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
|
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Arkansas county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Arkansas County Boundary Maps" (1813-1925) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
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:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
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 taken from the Benton County page on the website, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. [7]
- Late 1700's to early 1800's - The Osage Indians in Missouri made forays into the area for seasonal hunting.
- 1808 - 1825 - The U.S. government obtained major land cessions from the Osage.
- 1828 - The Arkansas Cherokee no longer occupied the area and opened it to settlement.
- Late 1820's - Settlers increasingly moved into the area.
- 1836 - September 30 - Benton County was formally established as a separate county.
- Many early county settlers came from Tennessee and other states of the upper South.
- During the Civil War, many Benton County residents were caught between strongly Confederate Arkansans to the south and Union-supporting Missourians to the north.
- During the Civil War years, much of Benton County suffered destruction and severe food shortages.
- 1870's - The county’s population grew, but the number of African American citizens decreased rapidly
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- Family Biographies from The History of Benton County, Arkansas (1889) published by Goodspeed are available free on the My Genealogy Hound website.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 2,228 | — |
| 1850 | 3,710 | 66.5% |
| 1860 | 9,306 | 150.8% |
| 1870 | 13,831 | 48.6% |
| 1880 | 20,328 | 47.0% |
| 1890 | 27,716 | 36.3% |
| 1900 | 31,611 | 14.1% |
| 1910 | 33,389 | 5.6% |
| 1920 | 36,253 | 8.6% |
| 1930 | 35,253 | −2.8% |
| 1940 | 36,148 | 2.5% |
| 1950 | 38,076 | 5.3% |
| 1960 | 36,272 | −4.7% |
| 1970 | 50,476 | 39.2% |
| 1980 | 78,115 | 54.8% |
| 1990 | 97,449 | 24.8% |
| 2000 | 153,406 | 57.4% |
| 2010 | 221,339 | 44.3% |
| Source: [1] | ||
- 1840 Federal Census Index and transcriptions, Benton County ARGenWeb
- 1850 Federal Census Index and transcriptions, Benton County ARGenWeb
Church Records[edit | edit source]
- 1875-1899 - Nebraska, Church Records, 1875-1899 at FamilySearch — index- How to Use this Collection
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
- Probate Records 1843-1915 Benton County portion of the collection: Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)- How to Use this Collection
- Includes Administration bonds 1858-1888; Chancery Court records 1843-1882; Dockets 1869-1897; Gurdian bonds 1858-1887; Minutes 1857-1874; Probate records 1884-1908.
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for Benton County. They may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more about local histories, see Arkansas Local Histories.
- History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. 1889. Chicago, IL, USA: Goodspeed Publishing. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Google Books, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
Click a neighboring county
for more resources
for more resources
- Maps of Arkansas (1813-1925)
- Family Maps of Benton County, Arkansas Genealogy (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
- Historic maps of Benton County, Arkansas 1875 to 1922, free access on My Genealogy Hound.
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War[edit | edit source]
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census]. 1841. Digital version at Google Books. 1967 reprint: FHL Collection 973 X2pc 1840. [See Arkansas, Benton County on page 191.]
- Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include"an Added Index to States." FHL Collection 973 M24ur; digital version at Ancestry ($). [Includes veterans from this county; Arkansas section begins on page 439.]
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Regiments. Men in Benton County served in various regiments and companies. Those listed below were specifically formed in this county:
- - 2nd Regiment, Arkansas Mounted Rifles (Confederate), Company D
- - 34th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Company F
- - 35th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Confederate), Company F
Men from Benton County served in the 1st Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (Union)[8] and the 3rd Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry (Union)[9], Companies E and M
Online Records
- 1861-1865 - Arkansas Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index- How to Use this Collection
- 1890-1963 - Arkansas Confederate Soldier Home,1890-1963 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
- 1891-1939 - Arkansas Ex-Confederate Pension Records, 1891-1939 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
- 1901-1929 - Arkansas Confederate Pensions, 1901-1929 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
Civil War Battle
The following Civil War battle was fought in Benton County.
- March 6-8, 1862 = Pea Ridge, also known as Elkhorn Tavern.[10]
- Map showing Civil War battles in Arkansas.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Finding More Arkansas Newspapers Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Benton newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat
- FamilySearch. Do a Benton County, Arkansas Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see, FamilySearch Catalog Places Search).
- Fayetteville Democrat at Ancestry.com ($)
- Fayetteville Daily Democrat at Ancestry.com ($)
- Daily Fayetteville Democrat at Ancestry.com ($)
- Northwest Arkansas Times at Ancestry.com ($)
- Courier Times at Ancestry.com ($)
- Arkansas Online Historical Newspapers - identifies historical archived and digitized newspapers available online on both free and pay-to-access websites. Includes newspapers for Benton County.
- Benton County DailyRecord
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Records
- 1783 – 1998 - Arkansas Wills and Probate Records 1783-1998 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
- 1837 - 1921 - Benton County Arkansas list of will book testators SAMPUBCO - Browsable index of testators of wills - free
- 1817 – 1979 - Arkansas Probate Records 1817-1979 at FamilySearch — images- How to Use this Collection
- Probate Records 1843-1915 Benton County portion of the collection: Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 : Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979 FamilySearch Historical Collections (Free, browse images)- How to Use this Collection
- Includes:
- 1858 - 1888 - Administration bonds
- 1843 - 1882 - Chancery Court records
- 1869 - 1897 - Dockets
- 1857 - 1887 - Guardian bonds
- 1857 - 1874 - Minutes
- 1884 - 1908 - Probate records
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 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.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Birth[edit | edit source]
| Y | M | |
| Name of Child | 
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| Birth Date and Place |
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| Parent's Names |
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| Mother's Maiden Name |
| |
| Parent's Ages |
|
|
| Father's Occupation |
|
|
| Current Residence |
|
|
| Name of Doctor or Midwife |
|
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In 1877, a few county and city clerks[11] 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[edit | edit source]
- 1779-1966 - Arkansas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1860 - 1976 - Arkansas Church Marriages, 1860-1976 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
- 1861 - 1952 - Benton County Marriage Books A-Z and Marriage License Bonds Index 1861-1952 in Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957 at FamilySearch - free.[12]- How to Use this Collection
- 1877 - 1924 - Benton County Marriage Books A-J Index 1877-1924 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.[13]
Death[edit | edit source]
- Benton County, Arkansas Obituary Collection From GenealogyBuff.com ~ Free. From Various Funeral Homes in the Rogers, Bentonville, Siloam Springs,Lowell, Gentry, Gravette, Little Flock, and Pea Ridge areas.
- 1850 - 1850 U.S. Census Mortality Schedule Transcription
- 1860 - 1860 U.S. Census Mortality Schedule Transcription
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Voter Records[edit | edit source]
- 1868-1910 - Arkansas, County Voter Registration Records, 1868-1910 at FamilySearch — index and images- How to Use this Collection
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Benton County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Arkansas Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History 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 family history center.
Local Centers and Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Benton County. For state-wide library facilities, see Arkansas Archives and Libraries.
- Bella Vista Public Library
11 Dickens Place
Bella Vista AR 72714 - Bentonville Public Library
405 S Main Street
Bentonville AR 72712 - Rogers Public Library
711 S Dixieland Road
Rogers AR 72758
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Benton County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Arkansas Societies.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- ARGenWeb. Free. Data may be submitted by individuals or complete transcriptions
- USGenWeb Archives. Free. Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions
- RootsWeb resources. Free. Data may be submitted by individuals or may be complete transcriptions
- Linkpendium. Free. Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
- CyndisList. Free. Click links. Some sites they link to may have fees ($)
- 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[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Benton County, Arkansas Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ark/benton/.
- ↑ 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), Benton County, Arkansas. Page 67 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 65.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors,"Benton County, Arkansas," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_County,_Arkansas#Communities, accessed 29 August 2018.
- ↑ Allyn Lord, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture, (http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=748&type=Category&item=Counties&parent=Counties%2c+Cities%2c+and+Towns&grandparent= : accessed 2016 01 07), “Benton County.”
- ↑ Arkansas. Adjutant General's Office. Report of the Adjutant General of Arkansas, for the period of the late rebellion, and to November 1, 1866 (Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1990).
- ↑ Allen, Desmond Walls. Third Arkansas Union Cavalry (Desmond Walls Allen, Conway, Arkansas) 1987, pp. 33-92.
- ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State, (accessed 15 August, 2012)
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ FamilySearch Wiki contributors, "Arkansas County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records," in FamilySearch Wiki, accessed 18 April 2013.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/5/5c/Igiarkansasad.pdf.
