Arkansas, 1850-1900 Marriage Index

This data set contains information on approximately 287,000 individuals who were married between 1850 and 1900 in Arkansas. This data set is a great resource because it brings together these previously uncollected marriage records and gives you easy access to information that you would otherwise have to obtain from local sources.

Generally, you'll learn the following information about an individual included in this data set:

• Full name
• Name of spouse
• Marriage date
• Marriage location
• Family History Library microfilm roll number where you may be able to learn more information about the marriage or simply verify the information provided here.

Statewide registration of Arkansas marriages did not begin until 1917. Records of these marriages are maintained by the Division of Vital Records. This office also maintains some original Little Rock and Fort Smith records from 1881. To obtain information on marriages that took place before 1917 (such as those listed in this data set), you usually had to contact the county clerk where the license was issued. This data set provides easy access to information previously obtained solely from these local sources.

More About This Data Set

While great effort has been taken to eliminate duplicate records, some are entered twice. This is because of differences in knowledge of the recorder, variations in spelling of names, and the filing of marriage intentions in more than one location.

The information included is described in more detail below.

Name — In some records, you will find three question marks in place of the given name or surname. This indicates that the name was not listed on the original record. You may also find question marks in place of missing letters.

A question mark after a name indicates that the name spelling was unclear. You may also occasionally find the same record listed in the index under two different name spellings. Please note that not all unusual and uncertain names were noted by question marks, so always be sure to check under various spellings if you are having trouble locating a name.

Spouse — Name of the individual's bride or groom.

Marriage Date — Generally, the date provided for each entry is a couple's marriage date. However, when no marriage date was given, the date of the license was substituted. Occasionally, a marriage may be listed twice but in two different counties. In such cases, a couple would obtain a marriage license in one county but would be married in another county, most often near other relatives.

County — This is the county in which the marriage was recorded. In most cases, this is also the county in which the marriage took place.

Location of Records — This tells you where you can find a copy of the original record. The original record may provide you with more complete information, such as the name of the couple's parents, the couple's ages, the name of the person who performed the ceremony, and physical descriptions of the bride and groom.

Soundex Code — The Soundex code for each individual's surname.