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COUNTY GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH

Genealogy and Local Research

A very important part of the Wise County Historical Commission is local history and genealogical research.  Our extensive library of family files, maps, newspapers and documents were once housed in the Wise County Heritage Museum archive library. Owned and operated by the Wise County Historical Commission, it featured extensive collections  collected for over 55 years. There were over 6,000 books in the archive library, thousands of family files, local newspapers dating back to 1880, school census records, funeral home files, maps, and more.  Unfortunately, all the archives were lost in the fire of March 2023.  However, through the diligent efforts of volunteers, such as Sue Tackel and Jack Gainer, much of the archives were digitized and stored in a safe, off-site location.  We can still access many books, all of the family files and the newspapers dating back to 1880, obituaries, funeral home records and school census records!  So, research is still on-going and we are happy to help anyone who is searching for ancestors and local history information. 

Please call 940-627-5586 or email [email protected] for information.

Links to Other Research Sites

Help us preserve local history. DONATE Members are the core of the Wise County Historical Society. For only $20 a year you can become a member and help us keep local history alive. You'll also receive our monthly newsletter, early notice of events, and other benefits! JOIN As a nonprofit organization, we primarily rely on donations from individuals and businesses. Any donation, large or small, is appreciated and will be used to help us preserve history and educate the community about our shared past. VOLUNTEER Our volunteers are what keep us going. We are always looking for people willing to help with a variety of tasks, including lawn care, office filing, staffing events, and many other things. If you would like to help out please reach out by clicking below. DONATE MEMBERSHIP VOLUNTEER We can't do it alone. With the tragic loss of the Wise County Heritage Museum building in 2023, we need your help more than ever. We continue to move forward and are working to restore the site to house important local artifacts and historical documents. Fortunately, there are many ways you can support us in this effort.