Genealogy & Local History Researchers
Do you want to learn more about your ancestors? Perhaps you want to learn about the history of Appleton, your home, a specific building, or a local business. Explore our local history and genealogy resources, services, and programs to get started.
Don & Betty Jabas Appleton Collection
Visit us in-person to explore our Don & Betty Jabas Appleton Collection. The collection features local history books, photos, maps, and more. You’ll find original source materials for Appleton and the Fox Cities area including city directories, plat maps, yearbooks, and Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. There are also over 1,500 rolls of microfilm of various Appleton newspapers dating back to 1853.
Several local history materials are also digitized and available through Fox Valley Memory, Appleton Memory Project, and University of Wisconsin Digital Collections.
Obituary Index
One of our most popular genealogy databases is our Obituary Index; a partial index of obituaries and death notices from Appleton newspapers.
After locating an entry in the index, you can come into the library to use the microfilm to get a copy of the obituary. You can also request we email you the obituary, free of charge.
The Post-Crescent Index
The Post-Crescent Index offers a selection of important events in Appleton as reported in The Post-Crescent, our local newspaper. The index generally includes local news, events, social issues, cultural activities, schools/education, and more.
After locating an entry in the index, you can come into the library to use the microfilm to get a copy of the article. You can also request we email you the article, free of charge.
Historic Photos
We have a vast collection of photographs, many of which have been digitized on Fox Valley Memory and Appleton Memory Project. You’ll also find an index to photographs in several of the books in the Don & Betty Jabas Appleton Collection through our Historic Photo Index.
Find Your Ancestors Series
Since 2014, our Find Your Ancestors series has provided genealogy education to thousands. Presentations are free and open to the public and take place monthly. Several past videos are also available on our YouTube channel.
Genealogy Jumpstart Series
Launched in 2025, our Genealogy Jumpstart series teaches the basics of genealogy research. Presentations are free and open to the public and take place monthly. Several past videos are also available on our YouTube channel.
Microfilm Reader
Use a self-service microfilm reader to explore our newspaper archives. Microfilm reels are in cabinets behind the reader. You may email content to yourself, save to a USB for free from the microfilm reader, or pay to print.
Oral History Interview Kits
Looking to preserve a record for the future? We can help with our oral history interview kits. Each kit contains a user manual (in English, Spanish, or Hmong), tips for interviewing, a digital recorder and, USB cable. You can check out kits for two weeks. Ask about the kits at our upper-level service desk.
One-on-One Local History & Genealogy Help
Request a free 45-minute one-on-one session with our Local History Librarian to learn how to use our local history and genealogy resources. We’ll typically contact you within three to five business days to schedule an appointment. Sessions are available in-person at the library or online via Zoom.
Online Resources
We have several genealogy and local history databases, the majority of which you can use from home with your InfoSoup library card.
Our most popular databases include our Obituary Index, Ancestry Library Edition (in library use only), HeritageQuest, Fox Valley Memory, Plat Book Index, and FamilySearch, of which Appleton Public Library is an affiliate library.
Even if you don’t have Appleton ancestors, our genealogy databases offer worldwide collections to help you discover your roots no matter where they are.
Local History Organizations
Discover other sources of local history information with these organizations:
Stay Connected
Sign up to receive emails related to our genealogy and local history programs and services. Enter your information and click on “Local History/Genealogy Programs and Services” to subscribe.
You can also visit our Genealogy and Local History blog page to learn more about current and past programs and services related to genealogy and local history.