Many Waupaca area researchers have used the cemetery records compiled by Wayne and Alta Guyant and this article is to give a little insight into the work of this very dedicated couple.

Wayne and Alta's research began with the shared interest of the area history and they worked side by side gleaning information not only from headstones and cemetery records, but also clipping obituaries, birth announcements, marriage announcements, courthouse records and etc. Although a great share of their research encompassed the Waupaca County area, they also compiled a great share of information in Waushara, Portage, Langlade and Florence counties. They have also compiled information from many of the other counties in Wisconsin.

Along with actively pursuing the records, they were also involved with genealogical societies and charter members of the Wisconsin State Old Cemetery Association. Wayne served as the northwest regional director for the Wisconsin Cemetery Association and Alta the Waupaca County Coordinator with the Wisconsin Cemetery Association. Alta had served as the Waupaca Coordinator and life member of the Wisconsin State Old Cemetery Society, also life member in the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society and Waupaca Area Genealogical Society.

Wayne authored the book History and Memories: Portage County, Belmont Township in 1986 and Wayne and Alta published the Guyant Family newsletter. Wayne also wrote a weekly column When Then Was Now in the Waupaca County Post newspaper during the 1990s.

Wayne and Alta have played a very important roll in preserving the information from many Wisconsin cemeteries. In some instances the Guyant records may be the only know record for certain graves. When preserving this information they spent hour upon hour at the cemetery, contacting individuals, combing through courthouse records, etc. The Guyants personally copied 350 cemeteries and to think it all started by attending a copying bee in Mayville those many years ago.

Together Wayne and Alta's work continued until Wayne's passing in October 1995 and Alta's passing November 2003.