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Sebastian County, Arkansas
Genealogy, History & Facts

County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links

Sebastian County, Arkansas Facts

When was Sebastian County, AR Created?
Sebastian County was established on January 6, 1851 and was formed from Scott County and Crawford County. Other county boundry changes occured when Part annexed to Scott County and Polk 1 June 1861.

What is the County Seat of Sebastian County, AR?
The County has dual county seats with courthouses in Greenwood & Fort Smith (The first county seat was located at Greenwood, then moved to Fort Smith, before being relocated back to Greenwood in 1852. In 1861, it was decided that the county would have two seats of government.) and in addition the county government website is www.sebastiancountyonline.com/

What counties are adjacent to Sebastian County, AR?
Bordering Counties are Crawford County, Franklin County, Logan County, Scott County, Le Flore County, Oklahoma, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma.

Sebastian County, AR Vital Records

Where can find Sebastian County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Sebastian County vital records can be found at the Arkansas Deptartment 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 the Sebastian County health department to obtain a Birth or Death certificates which can be issued while you wait. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Arkansas for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Sebastian County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also order Order Electronically Online or you can download an application for copies of Sebastian Co. Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Divorce Certificates, Death Certificates  to mail.

Sebastian County, AR Census Records


What Sebastian County, AR census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Sebastian County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940.

Sebastian Co. Slave Schedules can be acquired for 1850 & 1860. Sebastian Co. Mortality Schedules can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Sebastian Co. Industry and Agriculture Schedules can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Sebastian Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be acquired for 1890. You’ll find free online and also printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Arkansas Census Records Research Guide

Sebastian County, AR Courthouse and Government Records

Sebastian County Courthouse in Greenwood

What genealogical records can I find in the Sebastian County Courthouse?

Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Sebastian County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in Arkansas courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless Arkansas residents.

The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Sebastian County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also Arkansas Corthouse Records Research Guide.

All County Offices Records are located in the Courthouse at 35 South Sixth Street, Fort Smith 72901 or 301 East Center, Greenwood 72936; 479-783-6139, unless otherwise noted. The courthouse at Greenwood burned in 1881 and again in 1882, but few records being saved. All records since 1882 are in good condition and those prior to that date have been recopied as far as possible.

Sebastian County, AR Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Sebastian County, AR?
A list of Sebastian County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Arkansas Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

  • Fort Smith Historical Society, P.O. Box 3676, Fort Smith, AR 72913-3676; (479) 646-9140, (479) 484-5502, 479-478-6323
  • South Sebastian County Historical Society, P.O. Box 523, Greenwood, AR 72936
  • Old Jail Museum, Greenwood, Arkansas 72936; Hours: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Frontier Researchers, A Genealogy Society, P.O. Box 2123, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72902-2123; “Frontier Researchers” meet eleven times a year, on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Fort Smith Public Library. There is no meeting in December. Featured in these meetings are experts in ancestral research as well as local news and project of genealogical interest. Membership is open to all interested with dues of $15 due annually. Included in the membership is a subscription to Frontier Research which is published semi-annually. Included in this publication is historical and genealogical information of local interest. Frontier Researchers has also established an elite organization known as “Frontier Families of the Western District of Arkansas.” This was designed to preserve the family history of people who came into this area between March 3, 1851 and February 20, 1897. If a person can prove each generation of lineage back to an individual who was in the Western District of Arkansas during these dates then they are eligible for membership. The Western District covered 13 counties in Arkansas and about 1/2 of the Oklahoma Territory. The ancestors may be male or female. And the information collected will be archived at the Fort Smith National Historic Site where it will be available for researchers in the future. A beautiful certificate accompanies the membership and membership is a one time fee of $25. Any one interested and send their request for an application along with a Self Address Stamped Envelope to the above address.
  • Arkansas History Commission, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201; 501.682.6900
  • Arkansas Genealogical Society, 1411 Shady Grove Road, P.O. Box 908, Hot Springs, AR 71902-0908
  • Arkansas Historical Association, 416 Old Main, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701; 479-575-5884

Where can I connect with other Sebastian County, AR Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Sebastian County, AR?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Sebastian 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.

Sebastian Co. AR Books, Newspapers & Publications

Sebastian Co. AR Cemeteries & Church Records

Sebastian Co. AR Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Sebastian Co. AR General and History Websites

Sebastian Co. AR Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Sebastian Co. AR Military Records