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Lawrence County, Arkansas
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records

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Lawrence County was created on 15 January 1815 and was formed from New Madrid County, Missouri . One of the first counties created in Arkansas was Lawrence County. Established in 1815, this county has given birth to many others and included lands in the northern part of Arkansas and southern part of Missouri. It was named for Capt. James Lawrence, a commander of the vessel Chesapeake in the War of 1812. In the early 1800s, the first settlers of the area settled along the Black and Spring rivers.

Lawrence County first County seat was Davidsonville (originally named Lawrence) from c. 1816 to 1829. Jackson was the second seat from 1829-1837. Both of these sites are now in Randolph County. The third seat was Smithville from 1837-1868. During Reconstruction the seat was moved to Clover Bend for one year until the voters relocated it to Powhatan in 1869. In 1887 Lawrence County was divided into two districts. The eastern district seat was at Walnut Ridge and the primary, western district seat remained at Powhatan. In 1963 Lawrence County voters elected to move all county functions to Walnut Ridge where they remain today.

Lawrence County is bordered by Randolph County (north), Greene County (east), Craighead County (southeast), Jackson County (south), Independence County (southwest), Sharp County (west). Cities, Towns & Communities include Alicia, Black Rock, College City, Hoxie, Imboden, Lynn, Minturn, Portia, Powhatan, Ravenden, Sedgwick, Smithville, Strawberry, Walnut Ridge

Parts of Lawrence County was used to form the following counties: Greene 1833, Independence 1820, Randolph 1835, Sharp 1868. Other county boundry changes occured when E boundary defined 30 October 1823, line with Independence changed 26 December 1840, part annexed to Fulton 18 January 1855, part to Randolph 18 January 1861, part annexed from Sharp 21 March 1917 and part annexed to Sharp 24 March 1917.

The Official County Government Website is located at ? . Records are mostly extant from county formation.

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County Court, Probate and Tax Records

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

Records are mostly extant from county formation.

Lawrence County Clerk of Circuit Court has Court Records from 1816 and Land Records from 1815 and is located at 315 West Main, Walnut Ridge, 72476; (870) 886-1112 .

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

Lawrence County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1821 and Probate Records from 1817 and is located at 315 West Main, Walnut Ridge, 72476; (870) 886-1111

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

Tax records are located in the county courthouse and the Arkansas History Commission.

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

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County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death 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 Lawrence 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.
  • Ordering Vital Records - You can also order Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.

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

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County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links 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 Lawrence County, Arkansas are 1830, 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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Lawrence County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Arkansas

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

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County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Arkansas

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

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County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Arkansas Genealogical Addresses

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

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County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for 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 Lawrence County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Lawrence County Tombstone Transcription Project.

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

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County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Arkansas

 

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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 Lawrence County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Lawrence County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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