Carroll County History and Information

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Carroll County was created on 1 November 1833and was formed from Izard County . It was named in honor of Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The White River flows through the county. The first seat of government was Carrollton until 1880 when Berryville took its place. In the late 1800s, the railroads came to Carroll County and brought with them tourists who enjoyed the community of Eureka Springs.

Today, this is still a resort area. Berryville, Eureka Springs and Green Forest are its major communities. Carroll County is bordered by , Stone County, MO (north), Taney County, MO (northeast), Boone County (east), Newton County (southeast), Madison County (south), Benton County (west), Barry County, MO (northwest). Cities, Towns & Communities include , Beaver, Berryville, Blue Eye, Eureka Springs, Green Forest, Oak Grove

Parts of Carroll County was used to form the following counties: Boone 1869, Madison 1836, Newton 1842. Other county boundry changes occured when Boundaries defined 14 December 1838, line defined with Madison 11 January 1843, 29 December 1854 and 16 January 1857; Marion defined 18 December 1846; part of Madison attached 8 April 1869.

The Official County Website is located at ? . See Extended History for More information. A fire in December, 1869, destroyed all the county records. Arkansas History Commission information says there was a courthouse fire in 1870.

  • Carroll County, Arkansas History Books at Amazon.com
  • Search Historical Newspapers from Arkansas (1819 - 1999) - Quickly find names and keywords in over 125 million articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements and other items published in more than 500,000 issues of over 2,500 historical U.S. newspapers. New content added monthly!
  • Family History Library - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.
  • Stories, Memories & Histories - Stories and histories compiled by others researching a person or area can be an amazing source of information about your ancestors. Not only do they generally contain dates and places of vital events like birth, marriage, and death, but they often relate stories and memories that help you really get to know the character of your ancestors.
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County Court Records

See Also Arkansas Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

Search Arkansas Historical Records - Databases include Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Voter Lists & Census Records; Immigration & Emigration Records; Obituary Records; Military Records; Family Tree Records; Pictures; Stories, Memories & Histories; Directories & Member Lists and much more....

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. A fire in December, 1869, destroyed all the county records. Arkansas History Commission information says there was a courthouse fire in 1870.

Carroll County Clerk of Circuit Court has Court Records from 1870 and Land Records from 1870 and is located at 210 West Church Street, Berryville, 72616; Clerk (870) 423-2422, Courthouse (870) 423-2967 .

The circuit clerk is the clerk of the circuit, chancery court, and juvenile court and usually acts as the ex-officio recorder of the county. The administrative duties of the clerk are to maintain a record of all proceedings of the circuit, chancery and juvenile courts and to prepare the dockets for these courts. They are also the ex-officio county recorder; and is responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, liens, and surety bonds, and many other orders and instruments which involve property within the county

Carroll County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1870 and Probate Records from 1870 is located at 210 West Church Street, Berryville, 72616; Clerk (870) 423-2022, Courthouse (870) 423-2967

The circuit clerk is the clerk of the circuit,Although probate court is a court of equity and is presided over by the chancery judge, prior to 1937 it was a function of the county court, and under the amended procedure, the county clerk still operates ad the clerk of the probate court

The circuit clerk is the clerk of the circuit, as clerk to the probate court, the clerk files all instruments making them a matter of record in descendent estate cases, and swears in all witnesses in contested estates. The clerk, also in this capacity, maintains all records relative to adoptions and guardianship cases within the county.

Although probate court is a court of equity and is presided over by the chancery judge, prior to 1937 it was a function of the county court, and under the amended procedure, the county clerk still operates ad the clerk of the probate court

Below is a list of online resources for Carroll County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Carroll County Court Records by clicking the link below:

  • Carroll County, Arkansas Court Books at Amazon.com
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which covers the State of Arkansas. Many pioneers and settelers bought land from the government instead of individuals.
  • Court, Land, Wills & Financial - Court records are an often overlooked, yet very valuable tool for finding information to assist you in your research. Land records, such as deeds, allow you to tie an ancestor to a specific place at a point in time. Other court records like those dealing with finances and estates often list related family members or give interesting details like the total value of property owned by your ancestors to add interest to your family history.
  • Immigration & Emigration - As our ancestors moved from one country to another, details about their lives were recorded on passenger lists and government documents. Immigration and emigration records can help you learn where your ancestors originally came from, where they went, when they left, who they traveled with, and more.
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County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Arkansas

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Arkansas Vital Records, 4815 West Markham St Little Rock, AR 72205, Please allow up to approximately 4-6 weeks for processing of all type of certificates when ordered through the mail. They have the following records:

  • Birth Certificates: Birth records maintained by Arkansas Vital Records start with February 1, 1914 through the present. Vital Records does have a limited number of birth records prior to 1914. The birth records dated prior to 1914 were filed with Arkansas Vital Records after 1914. They have original copies of Little Rock and Fort Smith births dating from 1881.
    • Cost: The cost of a birth record is $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered of the same record at the same time. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $12.00 for a searching fee. The customer may request a refund of any amount paid over the required $12.00 search fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Death Certificates: Death records maintained by Arkansas Vital Records start with February 1, 1914 through the present. Arkansas Vital Records does have a limited number of deaths occurring prior to 1914 for Little Rock and Fort Smith dating from 1881. The Arkansas History Commission has a death index of deaths occurring in Arkansas from 1914 through 1949. This is only an alphabetical listing of deaths occurring in Arkansas. The History Commission does not have copies of the death records.
    • Cost: The cost of a certified death certificate is $10.00 for the first copy and $8.00 for each additional copy issued at the same time for the same certificate. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $10.00 for a searching fee. The customer may request a refund of any amount paid over the required $10.00 search fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates: Marriage records maintained in Arkansas Vital Records begin with January 1917. Arkansas Vital Records does not have any marriage records prior to 1917.
    Divorce records maintained in Arkansas Vital Records begin with January 1923. Arkansas Vital Records does not have any divorce records prior to 1923. Records of marriage & divorce proceedings are available from the Arkansas County clerk of Probate Court that granted the decree.You can download an application online for Marriage Certificates or Divorce Certificates .
    • Cost: Arkansas Vital Records maintains a file of marriage and divorce coupons. These coupons are acceptable with organizations that require a certified record. The cost of a marriage or divorce coupon is $10.00 for each copy. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $10.00 for a searching fee. The customer may request a refund of any amount paid over the required $10.00 search fee.
  • Order In Person: The certificates may be ordered by coming into this office. If you want the copy the same day, our hours for same day service are 8:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Monday – Friday. The office is located at 4815 West Markham St Little Rock, AR 72205.
  • Order By Mail: Mail a check or money order (no cash) payable to the "Vital Records " along with the necessary information to the following address: Vital Records, PO Box 8184, Little Rock AR 72203-8184. Please include return address on envelope and application form. Processing Time takes 4-6 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you Order Online.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.

Below is a list of online resources for Carroll County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Carroll County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Arkansas

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Carroll County, Arkansas are 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Carroll County, Arkansas are Industry and Agriculture Schedules 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms

Below is a list of online resources for Carroll County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Carroll County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Carroll County, Arkansas Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Arkansas and other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Arkansas showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

You can view rotating animated maps for Arkansas showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at The Arkansas Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here

Below is a list of online resources for Carroll County Maps. Email us with websites containing Carroll County Maps by clicking the link below:

  • Carroll County, Arkansas Map Books at Amazon.com
  • Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers - Maps are an invaluable part of family history research, especially if you live far from where your ancestor lived. Because political boundaries often changed, historic maps are critical in helping you discover the precise location of your ancestor's hometown, what land they owned, who their neighbors were, and more.
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County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Arkansas

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

Below is a list of online resources for Carroll County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Carroll County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

Tax records are available at the respective county courthouses and in the Arkansas History Commission. Nearly 600 tax books, original or microfilmed, for Arkansas counties are included in the collection at the Commission. Legislation was enacted in Arkansas which required that copies of early county tax records be sent to the state auditor in Little Rock. Where county records were lost, the state auditor's copies are especially valuable.

Personal property tax records have been published for a few counties. Tax lists, along with other sources, are being used to reconstruct the lost 1890 federal population census.

Below is a list of online resources for Carroll County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Carroll County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Carroll County, Arkansas Tax Books at Amazon.com
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County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Arkansas Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be more generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Carroll County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Carroll County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Carroll County Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.
    P.O. Box 249 , Berryville, AR 72616-0249, Phone 870 423-6312; EMAIL
  • Arkansas History Commission, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201; 501.682.6900
  • Arkansas Genealogical Society, 1411 Shady Grove Road, P.O. Box 908, Hot Springs, AR 71902-0908; Phone: 501-262-4513
  • Arkansas Historical Society, 422 South Sixth Street, Van Buren, AR 72201
  • Arkansas Family History Association, 609 Colynwood, Sherwood, Arkansas 72120; 501-835-7502
  • Arkansas Historical Association, 416 Old Main, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701; 479-575-5884, 479-575-2775 FAX
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • Arkansas Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Arkansas

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Carroll County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Carroll County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Some church records for Arkansas churches are available at the Arkansas History Commission. These include published church histories, church records, newspapers, and manuscript collections.

Local county genealogical and historical organizations have copied, cataloged, and published records of local cemeteries. Most of these are in the collection at the Arkansas History Commission; many are in the DAR Library. Most of those in the DAR collection have been microfilmed by the FHL.

Below is a list of online resources for Carroll County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Carroll County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Carroll County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Carroll County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Extended History

 

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The Goodspeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwestern Arkansas - Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1889

No record of township organization prior to 1870 is extant, but from a comparison of traditional knowledge it is referred that the three original townships of what is now Carroll County were Carrollton, Osage and Prairie (said to have been known at one time as Ashley), to which Long Creek was added prior to 1850. The order of subsequent formation cannot be ascertained. The records having been destroyed it became necessary to establish township boundaries, which was done at an adjourned term of the county court, April 18, 1870; Hon. Robert Raines, judge, and Esquires Jackson Childers and Alexander H. McElyea presiding. On this day the court proceeded to establish the different townships, defining their boundaries and voting places as follows, to wit:

The present number of townships is fourteen; of election districts twenty, there being five wards in Eureka Springs, each of which with each of the townships constitutes a separate district.

  • Long Creek Township to commence at the Boone County line, at the southeast corner of Section 27, in Township 20 north, Range 22 west, running west to the southwest corner of Section 25, Township 20 north, Range 23 west; thence due north to the Missouri line; thence east to the Boone County line, thence south with said line to the place of beginning; and that the voting place in said township be, and the same is hereby designated at the residence of Redden B. Mattox.
  • Hickory Township line to commence above and near the Dallison farm on Dry Creek, running northward to the southwest corner of Long Creek Township; thence north with said township line to the Missouri line; thence with the Missouri line to a point near and east of the residence of Thomas Wise; thence southward with the range of mountains, leaving said Wise west of said line to the Pilot Knob; thence south to the Osage Mountain; thence east with the aforesaid mountain to the southwest coruer of the sixteenth section; thence east with said section line to Dry Creek, near Jeremiah Yonngblood's; thence down the main channel of Dry Creek to the place of beginning; and that the voting place be, and the same is hereby designated, at the residence of John S. Shahan.
  • King's River Township line to commence at the northwest corner of Hickory Township; thence west with the Missouri line to a point due north of Boat Mountain; thence south with the divide between Leatherwood and King's River to the head of the Cox and Hobb's saw-mill hollow; thence down said hollow to the Master's ford on King's River; thence by Bradley Bunch's to the southwest corner of Hickory Township line; thence with said line north to the place of beginning; and that the voting place in said township be, and the is hereby designated, at the frame house of the L. D. High farm, in the waxweed hollow.
  • Cedar Township line to commence at the northwest corner of King's River; thence west with the Missouri line to the Ben-ton County line; thence south with said line to the Madison County line; thence east with said line to the divide between Leatherwood and Keel's Creek; thence to the southwest corner of King's River Township; thence with said township line to the place of beginning; and that the voting place in said township be, end the same is hereby designated, at the residence of William Skelton; in said township.
  • Prairie Township line to commence at the southeast corner of King's River; thence west with the said boundary line of King's River Township to the southeast corner of Cedar Township line; thence with the Cedar Township line to tile Madison County line; thence with the Madison County line to the Rock-house Creek; thence down said creek so as to include the settlements on said creek (which is to King's River); thence up King's River to the mouth of Pin ey; thence east to William Barkley's on Osage; thence north by the way of Benjamin Jenrnng's to the place of beginning; and that the voting place be, and the same is hereby designated at Berryville.
  • Liberty Township line to commence at the southwest corner of Prairie Township; thence south with the Madison County line to Stephen Howard's; thence east by the way of the Widow Usry's on Osage, to Daniel Conner's; thence north on the divide to the Hickory Township line near the old Rush still-house; thence with said Prairie Township line to the place of beginning; and that the voting place in said township be, and the same is hereby designated, at the residence of Matthew Griffith.
  • Osage Township line to commence at the southwest corner of Liberty Township, thence south with the Madison County line to the Newton County line, thence east to the Boone County line, thence with the divide between Osage and Long Creeks to the southeast corner of Liberty Township, thence west with said township line to the place of beginning; and that the voting place in said township be, and the same is hereby designated at the residence of John P. Carter.
  • Carrollton Township to commence at the southeast corner of Long Creek Township, thence west with said township line to the Hickory Township line, thence with said Hickory Township line to the Liberty Township line, thence with said Liberty Township line to the Osage Township line, thence with said Osage Town-ship line to the Boone County line, thence with said Boone County line to the place of beginning; and that the voting place in said township be and the same is hereby designated at Carrollton.
  • Yocum Township October 7, 1873: "Ordered by the board that Hickory Township be divided as follows, to-wit: by a line beginning where Long Creek Township line crosses Yocum Creek, thence with the bed of said creek to the residence of John S. Shanan, thence due west to Prairie Township line: and that all north of said line be known and called by the name of Yocum Township; and that the voting place of said township be at the voting place of Jeremiah Hall.
  • Polo Township April Term, 1874, upon petition of a majority of the citizens of King's River Township for the formation of a new subdivision from its territory, the following line of division was confirmed: "Beginning about one mile and three-quarters west of Bradley Bunch's, where said township line crossesa hollow known as Methodist Hollow, thence down said hollow to King's River about one-fourth of a mile above Cra baugh's mill, thence down said river to the Missouri line." The eastern part received the name of Polo Township, with Standlee's store as its voting place.
  • Clifty August 17, 1874, Cedar Township was divided by a line "beginning at the eastern boundary of said township, and running due west so as to divide Sections 20 and 19, Township 20 north, Range 26 west, and Sections 24, 23, 22 and 21, Township 20 north. Range 27 west, through the center of said sections to the western boundary;" that portion south of this line receiving the name of Clifty Township, with Hendry's mill as its voting place.
  • Piney Township. A pril 5, 1875, division of Liberty Township ordered by a line "beginning at the north line of Osage Town north to King's River Township, near Nathaniel Rudd's, and running in a northern direction on and with the divide between the waters of the Osage and Piney Creeks to the southern line of Prairie Township;" the territory west of this line to constitute the new township of Piney. Its organization was ordered to be effected ay 1, 1875, with John Gilstrop's mill as the place for holding elections.
  • Fork Township. February 7, 1876: "On this day was presented a petition of a majority of the citizens of Osage Township representing that said township is too large for the convenience of a large number of citizens thereof, and praying that said township be divided as follows, to wit: Beginning at the Newton County line, on the top of the mountain or divide separating the waters of Osage and Dry Fork creeks, and running with and on the top of said mountain or divide north to the Liberty Township line." This was favorably considered, the territory west of the line described being designated as Dry Fork Township, with the place of the election at Shiloh.
  • July 3, 1876, by order of court the southern boundary of King's River Township was so changed as to include that part of Prairie Township north of a line "beginning at the southeast corner of said (King's River) township, thence west to the W. R. Sartain farm on King's River, thence up said river to the mouth of Osage, thence west to Cedar Township line."
  • Winonia Township was formed May 1, 1882, from the following described territory, formerly part of Cedar: "Beginning where King's River crosses the line between Carroll and Madison Counties, running thence west to the line between Ranges 26 and 27; thence north to the northwest corner of Section 31, Township20 north, Range 26 west, thence east four miles; thence north two miles; thence east to King's River; thence along said river to place of beginning." At July term, 1882, the line between Prairie and Winonia was so changed as to read as follows:
    Commencing at a point on the line between Sections 4 and 5, Township 19, Range 25 west, where said line crosses King's River; thence north on said line to the southeast corner of Section 32, Township 20, Range 25; thence west to the southeast corner of Section 31, Township 20, Range 25; thence north to the southeast corner of Section 30; thence west one-half mile; thence north to King's River Township line; thence east to Prairie Township line."
  • Franklin Township April 7, 1884, upon petition thirty-one citizens of Cedar Township, its division was order by a line " Beginning at the northwest corner of Section 1 Township 21, Range 26, on the Missouri State line; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 27, said township and rang thence east to the southeast corner of Section 29, Township 21; Range 25; thence north to the Missouri State line; thence west to the place of beginning." The new township received the name of Franklin.
  • Johnson Springs election district was formed July 14, 188 and includes "All of sections east of Eureka Springs, to the Prairie Town ship line; all south of Eureka Springs to Winonia Township line, Sections 9, 16 and north one-half of Section t all of Township 20 north, Range 26 west in Cedar Township except the corporation of Eureka Springs.

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