My ancestors hit the shores in Virginia and North Carolina in most cases, they finally settled in Illinois for a couple of generations,  before heading down to Arkansas.

I hardest ancestor is turing out to be Asa Foster born 1813 NC and married Mary Lively in 1835 Washington County IL. Have never found any information on parents. Only clue, Mary Benton born NC living in the home of Asa and Mary Lively Foster in 1850. She is old enough to be Asa's mother, but no new clues.