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.
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.
Upcoming Programs at the Waupaca Historical Society!
- Thurs., October 21, 6 p.m.:
"150 Years of the Railroad in Waupaca" with Mike Kirk at the Depot - Fri., October 29, 4-6 p.m.:
Brat fry at Halloween on Main (find us in front of the library/City Hall on South Main Street!). Children can trick-or-treat at local businesses downtown and enjoy Halloween activities! - Thurs., November 11, 6 p.m.:
"The Legend of Chief Waupaca" with Ray Reser at Danes Hall (301 N. Main Street) - Sat., Dec. 4: Yuletide Trail
Help us preserve your story!
We are collecting memories and stories from the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. These collections will be preserved at the Holly History and Genealogy Center to help future generations understand this time in Waupaca, our state, and our country. Please consider filling out our survey here!
Surveys can be emailed to director@waupacahistoricalsociety.org
or mailed to WHS, 321 S. Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981.
2021 Summer Hours (UPDATE!)
Starting June 10, the Holly Center will be open to the public on
Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
WHS COVID POLICY
Following CDC guidelines, masks are appreciated in all of our buildings. We 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 by calling the Holly History and Genealogy Center at (715) 256-9980 or emailing
Tracy Behrendt at
