Montgomery County, Arkansas - Library Resources

Montgomery CountyGenWeb Project
Bookfinder.com      Google Books      World Cat.

Montgomery County Library
The Montgomery County Library and the Polk County Library formed a new regional library system in 2010. The new regional library is called the Ouachita Mountains Regional Library.

145A Whittington St., Mt. Ida
P.O. Box 189, Mount Ida, AR 71957 
phone/fax: 870-867-3812
website 
email: montlibrary@hotmail.com  contact
Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Mon. - Fri. , Sat., 9:30 am 1. pm
They are willing to make copies at $.50/page. Checks should be made out to Montgomery County Library and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The library is located in the Civic Center at 154D Whittington St. Mount Ida.

Partial list of genealogy material available:
-federal census abstracts for Montgomery Co. for 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920
-1890 census "Reconstruction" for Garland and Montgomery Counties.
-indexes for the 1830, 1840 and 1900 census
-mortality schedules: 1850. 1860, 1870
-Montgomery County Cemetery Records (1986) (1998)
Family Research Register Author: Montgomery County Historical Society ARK REF FAM h05658
-The Arkansas Gazette Obituary Index (1819-1879)
-Arkansas Death Records Index, 1910-1940
-Myers Directory of Genealogical Societies In The USA and Canada (1990)
-Index of Arkansas Wills and Administrations From the Earliest to 1900
-Arkansas Township Atlas (1987)
-Whittington store ledger (1837)
-Memoirs of Mary Edith Cowles Williamson Gardner Vaught
-Fryar family group sheets complied by Joann Fryar Tims
-Montgomery County Will Record book "A"
-Montgomery County Marriage books "A", "B" and "C"
-Montgomery County Deed Record book "A'
-Montgomery County Loose Probate Records, 1842-1930
-Montgomery County News 1951-1994 on microfilm
-Arkansas's Damned Yankees, An Index to Union Soldiers in Arkansas Regiments
-Arkansas Union Soldiers pension application index
-Index to the three volumes of the Arkansas 1911 Census of Confederate Veterans (no one from Mont. Co.)
-They Never Came Back (Montgomery County Hunters) by John W. Lavender. Printed in 1956.
-microfilm copies of the record books in the Montgomery County Arkansas Archives
        Circuit Court Records 1845-1883
        Deeds Records Books A-H 1845-1888
        General Index to Deeds 1907-1914
        Loose probate records 1842-1930
        Marriage Records Books 1A - G 1851-1923
        Index to Deeds Grantor and Grantee 1850-1910
        Mining Claim Records 1875-1889
        Personal Property Tax books 1865-1894
        Soldiers and Sailors discharges Book A
        Tax Records 1849-1967
-plus selected materials from the surrounding counties
e.g. Polk County History ISBN 0-88107-124-2 Troy Williams and Leon Toon, editors Curtis Media Corporation 1988 Publisher.
- Herstory, a collection of biographical sketches of selected pioneer ladies of Montgomery Co. Compiled by Montgomery Co. Extension Homemakers Council 1986-1988. The Montgomery County News, 25 Feb, 1988 contains an article with a photo* regarding this book.
     Mary Lumer Barber
    Annie Winne Fagan Bobo
    Goldie Mckinzie Booth
    Vada Frances Simpson Campbell
    Mattie Evelyn Plemmons Davidson
    Ona Marie Wright Dunn*
    Edyth Gamble Garmon
    Nancy Chambers and Willie Chambers Garrett
    Helen "Germa" Shirley Garrett
    Edna Hicks Gortemiller*
    Bethal Hicks*
    Nancy Bell Singleton Hughes
    Hazel Beatrice Amerson Jackson
    Rosa Lee Hale Johnson
    Rhuie Malta Fair O'Neal
    Lucy Dell Kennedy Peppers*
    Audie Forbes Smith*
    Hattie Francis Pullen Taylor
    Nora Wattenbarger Clardy Thompson
    Ida Lee Ramsey Todd*
    Eloise Emma McKay Vincent
    Ola Mae Walton

Melinda Lee Riden-Jardine has placed a 100 page binder on the Satterfields, Ledbetters, Jacksons, Kirks, and Ridens that was placed in the Montgomery County library in the spring of 1999. This binder is complete with photos and the latest Internet resources.  The same binder can be located in Lee Co. and Madison Co., as well. The Satterfields, Jacksons, and Kirks arrived in Oden and Pencil Bluff around 1890. Many of the descendants are still living in this area of the state.

The library in Mt Ida as devoted a corner to genealogy books. There is two shoe boxes of death notices from the Montgomery County News, alphabetical order, pre 2018, donated by Shirley G.S. M. This library no longer has microfilm or fiche or readers. Some of the older newspapers had been microfilmed.  The Mt. Ida library gave all microfilm or fiche and readers to The Melting Pot Genealogical Society, Hot Springs, AR (501) 624-0229. 649-B Ouachita Ave, Hot Springs, AR. Call to see what days they are open.  

The following institutions may have genealogical and historical records on Montgomery County, AR.

The Gateway Project- provides public library service in central Arkansas.  The Butler Center Butler Center for Arkansas Studies in Little Rock has Footnote. You can also access it from home if you have a CALS (Central Arkansas Library System ) library card or if your local library participates in the Gateway Project. Gateway cardholders have reciprocal borrowing privileges with CALS. The service areas are Arkansas, Cleveland, Conway, Dallas, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Hot Springs, Jackson, Jefferson, Lonoke, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, Van Buren, and White counties. Remember the interlibrary loan system and World Cat. Try The Camp, the Bivouac, and the Battlefield  by Washington Lafayette Gammage (1864).

If you take an item off the shelf, please put it back carefully in the correct place, spine outwards.

Norman Library in the Square  Montgomery County News 13 Aug. 2013.
NORMAN Perseverance and love for a local landmark has helped a group of Norman residents bring new life to the Norman Library. The Norman Library, touted as the smallest public library in the country, was built in the mid 1930s when Marie Pinkerton decided that the town needed a library. Pinkerton rallied the Norman Garden Club together and they, along with their husbands and the WPA, built the library and town square. The original library was built with a flat roof, which featured a Spanish style tile border, and a gabled roof was installed by 1946. The Library was originally renovated in the 1990s. The renovation included a fully staffed library with a variety of books and two computers for patrons to use. A second renovation occurred in 2005, at which time a flat roof was once again installed on the roof per the requirements of a state grant that was used to fund much of the renovation. The installation of the new roof proved to be disastrous. The roof leaked and eventually brought about the closure of the library in 2009. It was at this time that the friends of the Norman Library learned that they couldn't replace the flat roof with a gabled roof. Jean Lybrand explained that the state historical society wouldn't allow them to alter the look of the building per their grant requirements. Lybrand and the Library board worked for three years to get approval to restore the gabled roof which stood atop the library for most of its life and finally they received good news. Lybrand keeps a letter in her desk at the library which states that the state historical society would not agree to allow the gabled roof to be installed, but they acknowledged that they would not pursue legal action if one was installed. Work began and in 2012 and was finished in April of this year. The newly renovated library is home to over 2,000 books of a variety of topics. There are also two computers available for local residents to use. The library has been visited by tourists from all over the world, many of whom have written their name in the original guest register first used by Marie Pinkerton in the early days of the library.

A grand reopening was held Fri., Aug. 16 2013 from 4-6 p.m. at the library. The Library is located on Hwy. 27 in the square in Norman. The Library is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to stop by and visit, but only Montgomery County residents are able to check books out of the library. Board members include Jean Lybrand, Mary Beth Lysobey, Roseanna Markham, David Lysobey and Betty Ruth Williams.

Polk County Library
410 Eighth Street
Mena, Arkansas 71953
Ph (479) 394 2314
Hours: 9 am- 5pm Monday through Wednesday and Friday
Thursday 9am  to 6pm.
 9:00 - 2:00     Saturday.
Genealogical research room. Good collection not only Polk Co. info for the surrounding counties. Polk Co. collection includes: Census books & microfilm, Mena Weekly Star (microfilm only), obituaries, cemetery and marriage books, funeral records, researchers surname file, Teachers Record Books etc.

Books at the Polk County Library
by Hart, James M & Lillian GEN R976.743H
Abstract from 1850 Federal Census of Montgomery Co, AR
Abstract from 1860 Federal Census of Montgomery Co, AR
Abstract from 1870 Federal Census of Montgomery Co, AR
Abstract from 1880 Federal Census of Montgomery Co, AR
Abstract from 1900 Federal Census of Montgomery Co, AR
Abstract from 1910 Federal Census of Montgomery Co, AR

1890 Census Reconstructed Garland & Montgomery Co, AR by Cline, McLane & Richter GEN R976.743 C
Arkansas Land Patents Montgomery Co, AR by Allen, Desmond Walls. GEN R976.743A
Arkansas State Donation and Swamp Lands Hempstead, Howard, Montgomery, Nevada, Pike, Polk and Sevier Co. by Arkansas Research R 976.7 38430006346519
Cemetery Inscriptions of Montgomery Co, AR by Montgomery Co, EHC GEN R976.743M
Montgomery County History Book Vol. 2 Book Genealogy GEN R976.743
Montgomery County Our Heritage. by Montgomery County Heritage Club. Book A R 976.7 MON

Visit Polk Co. Courthouse while in Mena as some Montgomery Co. residents had their marriage recorded here in Polk Co. There is a published marriage book on the shelf near the county marriage books that may be helpful in locating the book and page number. 

Ft. Smith Public Library
3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903
Arkansas Collection

Garland County Library,  Hot Springs

Central Arkansas Libraries Catalog searchable
Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Central Arkansas Library System
Central Library, Main Library  (Butler Center, Genealogy) 100 Rock St. Little Rock, AR  72201 (501) 918-3000

Department of State Lands
State Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201

Arkansas State Library
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201
ph 501 682 6900
List of early Arkansas photographers.

Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives

• Photo submitted with certification application to the AR Board of Barber Examiners by Milos Victor Sekavec, age 37 in 1938. Sekavec was first certified by the board in 1938 in Mount Ida. His last date of certification was 1952.
  
• Photo submitted with certification application to the Arkansas Board of Barber Examiners by W. E. (William Earnest) Kilby, age 50 in 1937. Kilby 1887-1982 was first certified by the board in 1937 in Mount Ida. His last date of certification was 1975. maybe his son
  
• Photo submitted with certification application to the Arkansas Board of Barber Examiners by Charles Sekavec, age 49 in 1937. Sekavec 1888-1963 was first certified by the board in 1937 in Mount Ida. His last date of certification was 1961. Charles Sekavec 1888-1963 was first certified by the board in 1937 in Mount Ida. His last date of certification was 1961. Arkansas Historical Commission photo. Karel aka Charlie, 1888-1963 also had a brother named Milos who was also a barber. Karel Sekavec served in WWI Ark PFC 13 Co 162 Depot Brigade. Charlie married Dicie Standridge, a school teacher in 1925. His barber chair is at the museum in Mt. Ida. 1924 photo of Dicie.
  
  The Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners was established in 1937 to ensure that barbers would be professionally trained and licensed. Beginning in 1937, aspiring barbers were required to attend barber school and then complete an 18-month apprenticeship. Barbers who were already practicing their trade were granted a license, or grandfathered in. From the description of Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners files of inactive barbers, series III, 1937-1994. World Cat has a list of photos.
  
  
  
• Photo submitted with certification application to the Arkansas Board of Barber Examiners by Leslie Raines. Raines 1896-1973 was first certified by the board in 1938, age 41, in Caddo Gap. His last date of certification was 1973, same year as his death.
  
• Photo submitted with certification application to the Arkansas Board of Barber Examiners by W. S. Phipps. Phipps was first certified by the board in 1938, at age 43, in Norman. His last date of certification was 1948.
  
  Census 1940 Norman, Montgomery County, Arkansas
  Phipps Age 46 (1894-1953) b. Texas
  Home in 1940
  Household Members Age
  Head Bill Phipps 46
  Wife Bertie Phipps 41 (1900-1976)
  Son Troy Phipps 20
  Son Otes Phipps 17 (1922-1993)
  Daughter Dorothy Phipps 14
  Daughter Bonnie Phipps 8
  Son Bobby David Phipps 3
  
  Otis C. Phipps (21 July 1922 - 13 March 1993) (aged 70)
  BURIAL Memorial Park Cemetery, Amarillo, Potter County, Texas
  
  Ernie Deane Collection - captured images  old.  indexed Ernest Cecil "Ernie" Deane (1911-1991) was an Arkansas native, journalist, soldier, teacher, folklorist and historian. He is best known as the writer of the original Arkansas Traveler (1956-1965) newspaper column in the Arkansas Gazette for which most of the negatives in his photograph collection were made.
• Photo Pine Ridge Post Office March 1960
• Photo James Richard "Dick" Huddleston, the old time country store keeper. 1960
• Photo Mt Ida Courthouse July 1959
• Photo C. E. Bates is a realtor, cattle trader and owner of a service station and fisherman's supply shop in Mount Ida. Bates (left) hands over fishing supplies
• Photo Mt Ida July 12 1959. In the background are the Lodge of the Mt. Ida Masons and Order of the Eastern Star, Homestead Cafe, Chamber of Commerce and L. L. Beavers Agency.
  

National Archives- Fort Worth Branch
P.O. Box 6216
501 West Felix Street
Fort Worth, TX 76115

Arkansas Digital Archives  wayback

Old Washington Historic State Park
103 Franklin Street, Washington, AR 71862
Open seven days a week 9:00 - 4:00
Located one-half mile west of the Courthouse on Highway 195 

University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701

A book selling better than expected is a word of mouth bestseller, a conversation starter, or a reading group favorite.
There was always an understanding that there were certain books that had a paperback audience.

Arkansas Genealogical Society
Box 908, Hot  Springs AR 71902-0908

The Melting Pot Genealogical Society, Hot Springs, AR

Links

LibrarySpot
Library of Congress - Catalog Telephone directories  2021 telephone directory Mt Ida

Books, books everywhere
By Tom Dillard
I have always loved public libraries.
This article was published June 27, 2010
Editorial, Pages 84 on 06/27/2010
I have always loved public libraries. Even as a barely literate elementary school student in rural Montgomery County, I eagerly awaited the monthly visit of the Bookmobile from Hot Springs. What a trove of books! Rows of books filled the vehicle, each shelf having a small wooden bar at the bottom to restrain the precious volumes during their ride over rough country roads. As I moved into junior high school, Saturday trips to nearby Mena, in Polk County, opened up a world of discovery tucked away within the spacious rooms of what at one time had been a grand home but was in the early 1960s the public library. Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish immigrant who made his fortune in steel, gave away almost $50 million to build 1,687 free public libraries during the years 1883-1929. In addition to Eureka Springs, grants were also awarded to Fort Smith, Little Rock, and Morrilton....

If a city book sale is a gold rush, a small town sale is like treasure hunting in the wreck of an 18th-century galleon, while mostly all you'll find is literary flotsam, you never know when a wealthy merchant or a corrupt bishop might have been on board with loot in tow.

"The library can be a very social place and busy place."

U.S. Serial Set - contains the House and Senate Documents and the House and Senate Reports.
PERSI – Periodical Source Index is the largest subject index to genealogy and local history periodical articles in the world.