Genealogical Research
The Holly History and Genealogy Center has many resources to assist in genealogy research, from family files and binders to cemetery records and obituaries. We also now have past Waupaca newspapers on microfilm (through 1996), which are viewable at the Holly Center (no printing capabilities available).
The Waupaca Area Genealogical Society is happy to assist you with your genealogy research! The Waupaca Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) is a separate nonprofit organization dedicated to family and genealogical research. The Holly History & Genealogy Center (321 S. Main St., Waupaca) houses the collections of both the Waupaca Historical Society and the Waupaca Area Genealogical Society. Included in these collections are plat maps, family history files, cemetery records, obituaries, pre-1907 marriage indexes, naturalization indexes, Waupaca High School yearbooks, the Civil War Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, and numerous other sources of information on early settlers to Waupaca County, Wisconsin.
NOTE: CURRENTLY, THE HOLLY CENTER IS ONLY STAFFED ON THURSDAYS 10-2 AND FRIDAYS 12-3 BY THE WAUPACA HISTORICAL SOCIETY DIRECTOR. THE DIRECTOR WILL ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR GENEALOGY REQUESTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE OR REFER YOU TO WAGS VOLUNTEERS.
Volunteers and staff are here to give you an overview of the research area and help you as needed. The director of the Waupaca Historical Society staffs the building on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Volunteers from WAGS staff the building on Thursdays (10 am to 2 pm) year-round and on Saturday mornings (9 a.m. to noon) during the months of June, July, and August. If you are new to family research or have not visited the Holly History & Genealogy Center before, we recommend that you arrange for assistance with one of the genealogy volunteers. Please contact them two weeks in advance of your visit to Waupaca.
There are also numerous resources available online on the "Waupaca County History and Genealogy Website" (www.wigenweb.org/waupaca), which is part of the statewide Wisconsin Genealogy Web Project.
Contact the Waupaca Area Genealogical Society by calling (715) 256-9980 or email director@waupacahistoricalsociety.org for assistance in setting up an appointment. All genealogy and family history inquiries that are received through the Waupaca Historical Society's website will be forwarded to the Waupaca Area Genealogical Society. For more information about the Holly History & Genealogy Center, including open hours, please click on "Our Historic Buildings" and "Holly Center" on our main menu on the left.
Thank you for donating to the Waupaca Historical Society and helping us preserve Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes history!
Upcoming Programs at the Waupaca Historical Society!
(all programs at the Holly History and Genealogy Center unless otherwise noted)
- Sat., September 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Hutchinson House Museum Open in South Park during Fall-O-Rama
- Thurs., October 13, 5:30 p.m.: "Waupaca's Granite Quarry" with Mike Kirk; enjoy a walk around the quarry (Shambeau Park) at 5:30 (meet at the Depot) and then return for a program on the Granite Quarry's history!
Sponsored by Greg and Betsy Russell, Tom Shambeau (in memory of Dave and Emilene Shambeau), Waupaca Foundry and Beiser Realty. - Fri., October 28, 4-6 p.m.: Brat fry for Halloween on Main in downtown Waupaca
- Thurs., November 10, 6 p.m.: "How to Be An Indian in the 21st Century" with Louis Clark
Sponsored by Trudi Hahn Pickett (in memory of Mr. Jesse Owen, Dakota elder) and Beiser Realty. - Sat., December 3, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Waupaca's Yuletide Trail
Purchase your cookie tin and participate in the cookie walk! Tins are $20 and support the Waupaca Historical Society.
Sponsored by Community First Credit Union.
WHS COVID POLICY
Masks are not required in our buildings at this time. We encourage visitors to wear masks if they feel more comfortable. We also encourage all visitors to maintain a 6-foot distance from others and remain at home if exposed to COVID-19 or feeling unwell.
Appointments outside of open hours at any WHS buildings can be made at least two weeks in advance by calling the Holly History and Genealogy Center at (715) 256-9980 or emailing
Tracy Behrendt at
