Cleveland County, Arkansas Genealogy

∣ Societies and Family History Resources ∣ Government Records ∣ Genealogy Links ∣ Publications ∣ Census Records ∣
∣ Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records ∣ Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records ∣
∣ Cemeteries & Graveyards ∣ Church & Bible Records ∣ County History ∣ Military Records ∣ Schools & Directories ∣

Cleveland County, Arkansas genealogy and family history research page. Discover links to record collections, history, and genealogy information to help you you track your Cleveland Co., ancestors. Get going by putting together a Free Family Tree.

Cleveland County was created on April 17, 1873 and was originally called Dorsey County, it was formed from Bradley County, Dallas County, Jefferson County and Lincoln County . This particular county was named in honor of Stephen Dorsey, U.S. Senator from Arkansas. In 1885 the name was changed to honor Grover Cleveland (1837–1908), 22nd and 24th President of the United States.

Currently the Cleveland County Seat can be found in Rison (the first county seat was the residence of N.V. Barnett. In 1872 it moved to Toledo. In 1889, the seat moved to Rison) and in addition the county government website is www.arcounties.org/

Areas next to Cleveland County happen to be Grant County (north), Jefferson County (north), Lincoln County (east), Drew County (southeast), Bradley County (south), Calhoun County (southwest), Dallas County (west).

Cities and towns located in Cleveland County consist of Kingsland, Rison.

Cleveland County does have Federal Census Schedules to assist in finding out about your family tree. Government Population Schedules are present for 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940. Cleveland Co. Mortality Schedules can be obtained for 1880. Cleveland Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be obtained for 1880. Cleveland Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be acquired for 1890. You'll find free online and also printable census forms to help with your research.

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Cleveland County Societies and Family History Resources

A list of Cleveland County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also Arkansas Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.

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Cleveland County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers typically forget the advantages of Cleveland County court, probate, and land files as a source of ancestry and genealogy information and facts. Hidden away in Arkansas courthouses and archives everywhere tend to be the desires and worries of the many Arkansas men and women. The possibilities are very good that your particular ancestors have left a in-depth record of at least quite a few elements of their lives in the Cleveland County court records. Even if your forebears is not discussed in a Court case, take into account all of the other methods which often can have lead to him or her showing up in court records.

I highly recommend you contact the clerk's office to identify hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of from time to time changing contact info. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The data files are readily available to interested parties, barring private issues. Many staff will assist people in locating the resources, however it's up to the man or women to perform the basic research.

The following details shows exactly what death, marriage, birth,, property, probate, and court records will be in Cleveland County. The years pointed out below tend to be the first recognized records data for this particular county.

All County Offices Records are located in the Courthouse at #20 Magnolia Street, Rison 71665; 870-325-6214, unless otherwise noted. The records are incomplete and some are not in good condition. Several tax books, one marriage record, and one or more court records are missing.

  • Cleveland County Clerk of Circuit Court is the clerk of the circuit, chancery court, and juvenile court and usually acts as the ex-officio recorder of Cleveland county. The 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 courts in Cleveland County. They are also the ex-officio Cleveland county recorder; and is responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, liens, and surety bonds, and many other orders and instruments which involve property within Cleveland county.
    • Phone: (870) 325-6902
    • Court Records: 1873
    • Land Records: 1836
    • Divorce Records: are maintained among the equity records (Divorces issued prior to 1950 are located here. Divorces issued after 1950 can be found  at the Arkansas Department of Public Health)
  • Cleveland County Clerk , 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 Cleveland county.
    • Phone: (870) 325-6521
    • Marriage Records: 1873 
    • Probate Records:1873
  • Cleveland County Assessor's Office maintains County tax records. These records are usually arranged by legal description and are not indexed.
    • Phone: (870) 325-6695
  • Arkansas Dept of Health has Birth & Death records since February 1, 1914, Marriage Records since January 1917 and Divorce Records since January 1923. You may go to any county health department in the State of Arkansas to obtain a Birth or Death certificates which can be issued while you wait.
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Cleveland County Genealogy Links

The following are web links to Genealogy and family history, Records and Resources associated to Cleveland County. A lot of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Professional Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a cost. This is merely a list which has been compiled or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to submit your own preferred Cleveland County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.

Cleveland Co. AR Books, Newspapers & Publications

Cleveland Co. AR Birth, Marriage & Death Records

Cleveland Co. AR Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

Cleveland Co. AR Census Records

Cleveland Co. AR Cemeteries & Graveyards

Cleveland Co. AR Church & Bible Records

Cleveland Co. AR Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

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Cleveland Co. AR General and History Websites

Cleveland Co. AR Immigration & Naturalization

Cleveland Co. AR Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Cleveland Co. AR Military Records

Cleveland Co. AR Schools & Directories

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