In addition to the many web sites dealing with Arkansas locales and families, there are a number of e-mail lists that allow folks to post questions, queries, and information to others. These are based on state, county, surname, or issue levels (cemeteries, etc). Many/most fo these are handled by the folks at Rootsweb. http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/usa/AR/ will take you to the Arkansas Lists area at the Rootsweb home server, where the names and pertinent addresses are all listed for you, along with instructions for how to subscribe and unsubscribe to the lists. Dont let the word "subscribe" fool you - these are free. You can unsubscribe at any time simply by following the instructions given.
There are two modes you can subscribe in - "List" and "Digest"
LIST Mode relays each message sent to the list to you as it is received. Think of it as an "automatic forward" of each message individually. On a busy list this may increase the number of messages you receive drastically, but you receive them right away.
DIGEST Mode collects the messages until the server says "OK, enough!" and ships a package of messages to you at one time. Think of it as Mom saving your mail and sending it to you once a week while you are at camp. Most lists transfer at least daily if there is any traffic at all. Digest mode means you get messages a little later, but you may get ONE instead of 20 emails.
Digest mode is the most convenient for most folk. LIST is good if you think you will have lots of "I need an answer in the next hour" type questions.. Digest covers the "I need an answer iin the next day or two".
Proper use of the mailing lists can be a very important tool for researchers, by putting you in touch with others researching the people, places, and issues YOU are interested in. And every so often a thread will start on one that you didn't even know you were interested in!
Dont forget, ROOTSWEB also supports lists for surnames and special topics. For example, I subscribe to REEVES-D and ANDERSONVILLE-D, lists concerning the family and the infamous prison respectively. A full listing of all lists can be found at