Fonds consists of correspondence, documents, journals, and a photograph relating to Colin Rankin's activity as a Fur Trader for the Hudson's Bay Company. Included are three journals kept by Donald McKay, Fur Trader, between 1799 and 1806, which were acquired by Rankin probably during his stay in the Temiskaming district.

This fonds documents a social and family history spanning almost one century. It revolves primarily around three women: Elizabeth Smith Shortt, and her daughters, Muriel Clarke and Lorraine Shortt. The fonds contains family correspondence, 1880 - 1970, general correspondence 1876-1970, manuscripts, diaries, typescripts, pamphlets, clippings and photographs.

Correspondence includes Cecil B. and Senator E.D. Smith, the Smith and Shortt family letters, Adam and Elizabeth Shortt love letters, but primarily correspondence during and after the war period between Elizabeth, her daughters Muriel and Lorraine, until Elizabeth's death in 1949. Letters follow Elizabeth Smith through Queen's University, her role in formation of the Queen's Medical School for women, her concern with local and national councils of women, and a variety of clubs, commissions, and organizations. Correspondents includes Augusta Stowe-Gullen, Dr. Jennie K. Trout, Eliza Fitzgerald, Lady Ishbel Aberdeen. Also present are 15 manuscript diaries kept by E. Smith Shortt covering the period from 1872-1932 (typescript available for first 8 diaries). Diaries 1892-1911 are memoirs of Shortts' European trips. 23 diaries or day books kept by Lorraine Shortt from 1912-1943 are also present.

The fonds contains also approximately 50 manuscript addresses, reports and speeches given by Elizabeth Shortt, as well as speeches by Lorraine Shortt. About 100-150 pamphlets and leaflets on a variety of subjects document Elizabeth's interests and activities, especially war period and restoration, National Council of Women, Mother's Allowance Commission, etc. Also present are clippings from 1800-1960, original and photocopied newspaper and magazine clippings and articles arranged under about 50 headings dealing with the Shortt and Smith families, and with a multiplicity of organized groups that formed at the turn of the century. Miscellaneous documents include notebooks of Elizabeth Shortt's subjects at Queen's Medical School, certificates, records of investments, bank records, war medals, autograph books, and scrapbook belonging to the family. Photograph albums and approximately 100 loose photographs of family and friends complete this fonds.

Material documenting John Walter’s term as President of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (C.C.F.) Party’s Kitchener branch during 1930 to 1937. Included is correspondence concerning William Daum Euler, leaflets regarding an election campaign and anti-war messages, as well as various reference materials.

One photograph album of Canadian and British Baptist missionaries in the Nilgiris District of India.

Fonds consists of notebooks prepared by K. Mary E. Shaw in her work as a teacher and/or student at Battersea Polytechnic in 1904, for courses on housewifery and laundry work. Notebooks cover all aspects of running an Edwardian household, from scullery, house and parlour work, hygiene, sick nursing, keeping accounts, and laundry work. Includes two volumes.

Fonds consists of two scrapbooks compiled by Mauritana Smith containing material written by leading 19th century American writers and articles written by her mother, Damaris Isabella Smith.

Consists of Marion Conroy's copies of material given to delegates at the National Conference of Regional Chairmen, Consumer Branch, Wartime Prices and Trade Board held in 1944, and includes the agenda and outline of issues for the Conference, as well as a separate report submitted by Kate Aitken, Supervisor of the Conservation Programme, on the establishment and progress across Canada of "Remake Centres." These centres were for teaching women to conserve new yard goods by making over existing garments.

The fonds also contains a scrapbook kept by Marion Conroy of clippings and ephemera dating from 1941-1944. As well as documenting Marion Conroy's activities, the scrapbook contains information on the organization and personalities involved in the Board and the Consumer Branch, such Donald Gordon and Byrne Hope Sanders. Also present are news accounts of the many rules and regulations applied to all aspects of the production and consumption of consumer goods, from fashion, food and drink, and housing, to the delivery and return of purchased goods.