Arkansas African American Genealogy online research is much more difficult due to the scant nature of record keeping for African Americans prior to the Civil War. This is the reason for creating a separate section for African Americans much like we have for Native Americans whose research can also be hampered by the available records. The links below provide an accurate reflection of what is available to be searched for African American genealogy.
National Archives
Arkansas State Archives
- Arkansas History Commission and State Archives
- Funeral Home and Cemetery Records (PDF)
- Arkansas African American Griots
Arkansas Societies
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
Arkansas Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society
Research Guides
Family Search – African American Research Guide
Biographies
Slave Narratives
These life narratives of former slaves, recorded in their own words, offer invaluable indirect evidence and insight into the lives and thoughts of thousands of slaves in the South. Despite limitations, they remain an authentic source for scholars, revealing diverse patterns and experiences. These accounts contribute to both folk history and literature, showcasing a rich array of dialects, tones, styles, and vivid details that complement and surpass conventional history and literature.
African American Cemeteries
Calhoun County
Crawford County
Nevada County
- De Ann Cemetery
- Forest Hill Cemetery
- Sweet Home Cemetery
- Mt. Vernon Cemetery
- Snell Cemetery
- White Church (Waters Chapel) Cemetery
Sebastian County
- Access Genealogy’s Arkansas Cemetery Records
The most complete coverage of Cemetery records available on the web. They are broken down by county. We do know know if there are African Americans in these cemeteries, so you should browse them for ancestors also. - Cherokee African American Cemetery
- Homemakers’ Survey of Nevada County Arkansas Cemeteries
African American Census Records
Access Genealogy’s Arkansas Census Records
Providing the most complete coverage of census records available on the web. We’ve broken the list down by county and take a careful look at the index page where we explain which records are missing from the census data and may never be recovered.
Greene County
Marion County
Pike County
- 1840 Federal Census Slave Schedule
- 1870 Federal Census, Black Households
- 1880 Federal Census, Black Households
- 1900 Federal Census, Black Households
Ft. Smith
Washington County
Church Records
Court Records
- Slavery petitions and papers $$
- Ft. Smith Black Marriages by Groom
- Ft. Smith Black Marriages by Bride
- Register of Marriages in Arkansas
- Report of Civilians Employed
- Roster of Officers and Civilians
- List of Civilians & Employees
- Indenture Bonds for Hempstead, Arkansas
Freedmen Bureau Records
Arkadelphia Field Office
- Indentures of Apprenticeship: 1866
- Letters Sent, Letters and Orders Received, Endorsements Sent and Received: 1865-1868
- Register of Complaints: 1865-1868
- Register of Marriages: 1865-1867
History
Slave Narratives
These life narratives of former slaves, recorded in their own words, offer invaluable indirect evidence and insight into the lives and thoughts of thousands of slaves in the South. Despite limitations, they remain an authentic source for scholars, revealing diverse patterns and experiences. These accounts contribute to both folk history and literature, showcasing a rich array of dialects, tones, styles, and vivid details that complement and surpass conventional history and literature.
Freedman’s Bank Records, 1865-1874 $$
Military Records
- Military Records
- World War II Records
- Arkansas World War II Army – Air Corps Casualty List
- Arkansas World War II Navy – Marines Casualty List
- Civil War Service Records $$
- African-American Civil War Soldiers & Sailors
Arkansas Military Records
Miscellaneous Records
Slave Owners
Surnames
Vital Records
I am searching for my ancestors that I know lived in Arkansas in 1880. Charlotte Powell, the daughter of Drucilla and Phillip Powell (both originally from Virginia) lived in Point Revome Township, Conway County, Arkansas in 1880. This information I discovered in census records. In 1900, Charlotte (Downs?) was then recorded as living in Morrillton City, Arkansas Conway County, Dist 0016 with her mother Drucilla and 6 children (Iroq Bland, Hattie Bland, Ida, Walter, A.D., and Daniel ) I am trying to find any census records from the year 1890. I understand, through my research, that the census records were damaged in a fire in March 1896. I am an educator and I have been working on this information for the past 2 years. I would appreciate any information that you have available on my family as I know that they were a part of the great migration. Ida, who is my great grandmother, ended up living in Chicago, Illinois and raising her son, Harold Lloyd Lucas Jr., who is my grandfather. Unfortunately, our family has no connection to any of Ida’s siblings which I am attempting to remedy. I would like to know my family. Please help. Thank you.