To start your research gather as many family documents as you can find and be sure to write down details about your immediate family:

• Try to record full names and important dates (births, marriages, and deaths).
• Other details such as place of birth and your mother's maiden name may also be useful.
• State birth and death records should be requested from the Arkansas Department of Health.
• County courthouses are also good places to begin an inquiry about legal records, including marriage certificates.
• Speak to your grandparents and ask them about their lives, memories and names of their parents and grandparents.
• Ask your relatives if they have previously completed any genealogical research. (If any attempts at recording your family's genealogy has already occurred, this will save you a lot of time).
• Search your belongings for old photographs or diaries, ask your relatives if they have any items that might be useful in your research.
• You can gain a lot of information from relatives, so make sure you ask around. Remember to document anything useful that you find out.