Waupaca Historical Society
Waupaca Historical Society
321 S. Main St., Waupaca, WI 54981

Genealogical 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 visit their website at http://www.wigenweb.org/waupaca/index.htm.


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.




Check us out on Facebook!

Order your "Safer at Home" Waupaca community cookbook today!


Cookbooks are now available for pre-order with the form here! Cookbooks cost $10 each. The form, with payment, can be dropped off at the Holly Center or the Waupaca Area Public Library.


The cookbook, a joint fundraiser for the Waupaca Historical Society and the Waupaca Area Public Library, features recipes, stories and photographs from this pandemic year.




UPDATE ON
2020 FALL PLANS

Keeping in mind the safety of its volunteers, staff and visitors, the Waupaca Historical Society has decided to open its buildings this fall by appointment only.


People may call or email the Waupaca Historical Society for a one-hour tour or research appointment at the Holly History and Genealogy Center, Hutchinson House (as weather permits) or Depot (as weather permits). Outside of prearranged appointments, the buildings will remain closed to the public. All programs and meeting room rentals are cancelled through 2020.

 

No one should enter the building—visitors, staff or volunteers—who does not feel well or is experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever or any other COVID-19 symptoms. All visitors and volunteers are required to wear masks during tours and appointments.

 

Gift shop items are available via email or phone for curbside pickup or mail.

 

Appointments to visit the WHS buildings can be made by calling the Holly History and Genealogy Center at (715) 256-9980 or emailing Tracy Behrendt at 

director@waupacahistoricalsociety.org.

Quick Links:

Waupaca Historical Society, 321 South Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981 –– (715) 256-9980