Clark Cemetery Records
Search burial records, grave locations, and genealogy data for the Clark family name across all 50 states.
🏺 Origin of the Clark Surname
Clark is an English occupational surname for a "clerk" — a scholar, secretary, or someone who could read and write in an era when literacy was rare. It derives from the Old English "clerc" (ultimately from Latin "clericus" — clergyman, scholar). In medieval England, most educated men were in holy orders, so "clerk" and "clergyman" overlapped substantially.
🇺🇸 Clark Families in American History
Clark families came to America from England, Scotland, and Ireland in the colonial era. The name is associated with two of America's most famous explorers: William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Clark is widespread across all US regions with no dominant geographic concentration.
Where Clark Families Are Concentrated
| State | Notes |
|---|---|
| Virginia | William Clark born in Caroline County, VA; strong colonial heritage |
| Kentucky | Clark County named for George Rogers Clark; strong frontier heritage |
| Indiana | Jeffersonville (Clark family land grant) has exceptional Clark records |
| Ohio | Clark County named for George Rogers Clark; strong pioneer settlement |
| North Carolina | Deep colonial Clark heritage; strong African American population |
Famous Americans Named Clark
Explorer (Lewis & Clark); buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, MO
Revolutionary War hero; buried at Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, KY
US Supreme Court Justice; buried at Restland Cemetery, Dallas, TX
Civil rights "Mother of the Movement"; buried in Charleston, SC
Sample Clark Burial Records
| Name | Birth | Death | Cemetery | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Septima Poinsette Clark | 1898 | 1987 | Emmanuel AME Church Cemetery | SC |
Search Tips for Clark Family Records
William Clark family: Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis has the explorer's grave and well-preserved records
George Rogers Clark: Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville; extensive Clark family records in Indiana and Kentucky
English Clark families: look for records in clerk-heavy counties (London, York) for pre-emigration research
Scottish Clarke families sometimes use an E — search both Clark and Clarke
African American Clark families: Civil rights records (especially Septima Clark connection to SC)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Clark and Clarke?
Clarke (with an E) is primarily an English and Irish spelling; Clark (without E) is the American and Scottish standard. Many English Clarke families dropped the E in America. Both spellings appear in older records for the same family.
Are Clark families connected to Lewis and Clark related to me?
The Clark family of Virginia and Kentucky is well-documented. If your family's oral tradition claims Lewis and Clark connection, Virginia county records (Caroline County, King George County) and Kentucky land grant records can help verify the connection.
Is Clark a Jewish surname?
Clark is occasionally used by Ashkenazi Jewish families who anglicized from Klarer, Klarman, or similar names. More commonly, Jewish clerks who anglicized professional titles may have adopted Clark. Context and community records help identify these families.
How do I search for Clark families from the Lewis and Clark Expedition records?
The Missouri History Museum, the Newberry Library in Chicago, and the National Archives hold extensive expedition records and Clark family documentation. William Clark kept detailed journals that have been published and include geographic references useful for family research.
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