This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/759.1.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: I would recommend that you first study the RootsWeb / USGEBWEB web pages for Ashley, AR, at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~arashley/ The adminsitrator of those pages probably has a pretty good handle on what resources are available for family historians in that county. Please bear in mind that I have NEVER SET FOOT in Ashley County, AR, and that this is NOT my ROPER line, so I only know what I have been readily able to look up on your behalf. One note I found states: Created: 30 November 1848. Parent Counties: Chicot, Drew and Union. County Boundary Changes: Line with Chicot changed by Act of 19 January 1861, part annexed from Bradley by Act of 21 January 1859. County Records: A courthouse fire in 1921 destroyed most of the county's records. http://www.anythingarkansas.com/arkansas/county.html#ashl Accordingly, there are going to be some records problems. I would also recommend to you the Arkansas state web site at: http://www.arkansas.gov/ I cannot seem to find a web site for this county. They are probably NOT only yet. Usually local LIBRARIES are very good sources of information on local history. And there is nothing quite as effective as visiting in person and walking the local ground. Invariably, you gain insights into geography, institutions and local color that cannot be readily garnered from online sources. The County Courthouse is usually a place that you WILL want to visit, too. But bear in mind that courthouses have other pressing business BESIDES genealogy and you will usually get a better recption and more help at the local library. There also may very well be a local genealogical society. These very often publish a newsletter and occasional compilations of local data. Many such societies have busy inventorying the cemetery grave markers, etc., and sometimes publish local compilations which may be found in the local library and may be sold to a small group interested in those records. Membership is usually inexpensive. Please SHARE the information you find. You will find that you WILL become acquainted with others interested in the family history of YOUR line. The more information you SHARE the more you empower others to be helpful and supportive. And you help economize effort, by allowing other family historians to focus on what is UNKNOWN.