Arkansas, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Collection Time Period
The records in this collection include the years 1837-1957.

Record History
County officials, usually the county clerk, began keeping marriage records from the time the county was formed. When the person obtained a license, he went to a minister or other person authorized to perform marriages, such as the justice of the peace. That person sent a return to the county clerk confirming that the marriage had occurred.

Most marriages that took place in a county were recorded by civil authorities.

Why This Record Was Created
Marriage records validate a wife’s legal claim to property.

Record Reliability
The date and place of marriage and the name of the officiator are very reliable. Other information depends upon the knowledge and reliability of the informants (usually the bride and groom). Only a few deliberately provided false information.

Record Description
There are three types of marriage records:


 * Marriage books are usually large, bound volumes, especially those with printed columns. Entries were made chronologically. Some volumes, especially those for earlier years, were written in paragraph format, often with two or three marriages on each page. When printed pages were introduced later, marriages were recorded in columns, allowing for many entries per page.
 * Marriage licenses may be in paragraph format or printed forms.
 * Marriage returns are usually in paragraph format.

Record Content
While earlier records usually less complete, genealogical facts in marriage records include:


 * Names of the groom, bride, and officiator. The bride’s surname at the time of marriage is her maiden name, unless she  was previously married. May include names of parents or guardians, especially in later records. Names of witnesses often given.
 * Date of the marriage or license.
 * Birth dates and places of the bride and groom often given in later records.
 * Residences of the bride and groom.
 * Occupation of the groom is frequently given.
 * Name of the officiator, either a Minister (MG) or a Justice of the Peace (JP).

How to Use This Record
Marriage records are the best source for validating the date and place of marriage. Other details such as age and birth place help in finding more records. The name of the officiator is a clue to their religion or area of residence in the county. However, ministers may have reported marriages performed in other counties.

Related Websites
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Related Wiki Articles
Arkansas_Birth,_Marriage_and_Death_Records

Sources of This Collection
"Arkansas County Marriages, 1838-1957", database, FamilySearch; from Arkansas Courts of Common Pleas and County Clerks. Marriage records. Digital images of originals housed at various county courthouses in the State of Arkansas.

How to Cite Your Sources
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