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Washington County, Arkansas Genealogy

Washington County, Arkansas genealogy and family history research page. Find links to record collections, history, and genealogy resources to help you trace your Washington Co., ancestors.

Washington County Quick Facts

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Washington County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources

A list of Washington 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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Washington County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers often overlook the importance of Washington County court, probate, and land records as a source of genealogy and family history information. Buried away in Arkansas courthouses and archives everywhere are the dreams and frustrations of many Arkansas citizens. The chances are great that your ancestors have left a detailed record of at least some aspects of their lives in the Washington County court records.

Please call the clerk’s department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. Even if your ancestor is not mentioned in a Court case, consider all of the other procedures which could have lead to him or her appearing in court records.

The following indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Washington county.  The dates indicated below are the first known records for each county.
All County Offices Records are located in the Courthouse at 280 North College Ave., Fayetteville 72701 or 114 North College Ave., Fayetteville 72701; 479-444-1700, unless otherwise noted. County court records are complete from Aug. 3, 1835; probate records from Oct. 9, 1837; marriage records from 1845, except the record of the period between 1861 and 1864. Probate and will records, A and B, were stolen. During the War, Presley R. Smith, clerk, hid the county records in a dry case in the mountains south of Fayetteville to prevent their falling into the hands of the Federals. Only one record was thus lost. The records are in good condition and are kept in fire-proof vaults.

  • Washington County Clerk of Circuit Courtis the clerk of the circuit, chancery court, and juvenile court and usually acts as the ex-officio recorder of Washington 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 Washington County. They are also the ex-officio Washington county recorder; and is responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, liens, and surety bonds, and many other orders and instruments which involve property within Washington county.
    • Phone: (479) 444-1538
    • Court Records: 1830
    • Land Records: 1834
    • 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)
  • Washington 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 Washington county.
    • Phone: (479) 444-1711
    • Marriage Records: 1845
    • Probate Records: 1835
  • Washington County Assessor’s Officemaintains County tax records. These records are usually arranged by legal description and are not indexed.
    • Phone: (479) 444-1500
  • 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 departmentin the State of Arkansas to obtain a Birth or Death certificates which can be issued while you wait.

Arkansas Historical Records – Databases include Arkansas Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Arkansas Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Arkansas Voter Lists & Census Records; Arkansas Immigration & Emigration Records; Arkansas Obituary Records; Arkansas Military Records; Arkansas Family Tree Records; Arkansas Pictures; Arkansas Stories, Memories & Histories; Arkansas Directories & Member Lists and much more….
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Washington County Genealogy Links

The following are links to Genealogy, Records and Resources relating to Washington County. These genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some are have free access some require a payment.  This is just a list that has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to submit your own favorite genealogy or family history related sites.

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