The fonds reflects the scientific and literary outreach activities of the Montreal Natural History Society over the course of its existence and contains correspondence, minutes, financial records, council and committee reports, membership lists, donation lists, catalogues of holdings, newspaper clippings, lecture advertisements and weather maps. In addition, the fonds includes reference material to other societies and information regarding the publication and creation of the Canadian Naturalist and Quarterly Journal of Science, Canadian Naturalist and Geologist and the Canadian Record of Science.

The fonds is composed of the following series: 1) Accounting Records (1860-1917); 2) Administrative Records (1833-1887); 3) Catalogues (ca.1829-ca.1925); 4) Correspondence (1871-1896 with gaps); 5) Essays and Lectures (1829-1852); 6) Minutes (1827-1832,1844-1923); 7) Montreal Microscopical Society (1884-1906); 8) Reports (1828-1881 with gaps); 9) Weather Maps (1895-1897).

This collection consists of materials dated from approximately 1850-1981, but predominantly from 1913-1940, relating to Dr. Casey Albert Wood’s research, writing, correspondence, and personal interest concerning ornithology, vertebrate zoology, memoir and family history, Emma Shearer Wood and Blacker Library collection development, ophthalmology, politics, and current events. Materials relate chiefly to Wood’s “Introduction to the Literature of Vertebrate Zoology” (1921-1956), falconry (1930s), his unpublished memoir (1930s), the development of McGill University’s Emma Shearer Wood and Blacker Libraries (1918-1941), the history of ophthalmology (1925-1936), “Fundus Oculi” (1911-1934), his travels and research expeditions studying birds in their natural habitat (1920-1940), political interests, and correspondence relating to these activities and subjects.

There are approximately 2902 incoming and outgoing pieces of correspondence including letters, postcards, notes, telegrams, and cards. Series 1) Research and writing, contains the largest volume of correspondence relating to “the Introduction to the Literature of Vertebrate Zoology.” While Series 2) Research trips, contains the largest portion of photographs. Other materials in this collection include research notes, manuscripts, page and galley proofs, book and article reprint publications, postcards, artwork, glass plate negatives, book plates, palm leaf manuscripts, artefacts, printed ephemera, clippings, journals, and administration and financial records relating to Wood’s publications or the Emma Shearer Wood and Blacker Libraries.

There are gaps within this collection relating to geographic locations, as not all locations Wood is known to have visited are represented or are only minimally represented. Asian countries, such as China or Japan, are not represented in this collection. While geographic locations that are prominent within the collection are Fiji, Sri Lanka and India.

The series consists of 1) research and writing (ca. 1850-1956); 2) research trips (1920-1937); 3) scrapbooks (1887-1946); 4) collection development (1918-1941); 5) published books (1907-1981); 6) artefacts (191-?, 1920-1937); and 7) glass negative plates (1924, 1927, 1930, 1956).

The fonds represents over forty years of Julian Armstrong's career as a food writer and journalist. The fonds contains primarily textual records created and accumulated by Armstrong during her research into the culinary history and traditions of Quebec while a food editor with the Montreal Gazette. Series 1 consists of food research files arranged by Armstrong according to geographic location or subject. Generally, the files are arranged by Quebec town or region, but some are devoted to food research topics related particularly to Quebec, such as "tourtières". The second subseries is arranged by specific foodstuffs, such as "Maple Syrup Pie" or "Bread," or food-related topics such as chefs and restaurants, or nutritional or diet topics. Series 2 contains notebooks of Armstrong's notes taken during travels primarily in Quebec's regions with observations, interview notes, tasting notes, and information such as food prices. The notebooks begin in 1986, dating from when she began her travels in Quebec for her food reporting. Series 3 contains records related to Armstrong's publications and speaking engagements. Series 4 consists of documents created through Armstrong's participation in culinary associations such as Cuisine Canada and in various cooking contests. Series 5 contains notebooks kept by Armstrong between 1969 and 1995 tracking food prices at particular regional grocery stores, organized by food product.

Series 1: Food research files
Series 2: Notebooks
Series 3: Publications and presentations
Series 4: Associations and events
Series 5: Food price records

The fonds documents Judith Fitzgerald’s personal and professional activities as a journalist, poet, and country music enthusiast, put together by Fitzgerald herself, documenting her work from the years 1965 to 1995. The majority of the records consists of research about individuals and musical acts, as well as other work-related projects that Fitzgerald was involved in. These include notes, drafts, and published work written by Fitzgerald, as well as various publications that she collected about the subjects and projects she worked on. The fonds also notably includes Fitzgerald’s creative work, including notes, drafts, manuscripts, and copies of her published books of poetry. Other materials include correspondence between Fitzgerald and friends, publishers, and individuals and institutions that she covered in her research. In addition, the fonds includes some financial records and personal records relating to Fitzgerald’s day-to-day activities and significant events in her life. These records include her marriage certificate, scrapbooks containing collected publications on herself, and notes on her autobiography.

The fonds is divided into two series: the first contains lecture notes and coursework from his studies. The second contains professional papers and is divided into two subseries. The first subseries contains records relating to his activities at the University of Alberta. The second subseries contains records generated during his time at McGill University.

Martin's papers consist of her diaries, written from 1924 to 1925 and from 1939 until her death, an address book, and a notebook recording donations made by her between 1973 and 1985. Her diaries document mainly her leisure activities, the many churches she attended, and her travels, but also refer to major world political events, the activities of the Royal Family, and anecdotes concerning her work. Inserted in the diaries are photographs of Martin and her friends, postage stamps, pamphlets, newspaper clippings and other memorabilia.

The majority of this collection is correspondence between Annie Holiday Pelletier and her parents Elise and William Holiday. The collection also includes correspondence with and between other family members, photographs, genealogical and biographical information, and miscellaneous material about the Rondeau, Holiday, and Pelletier families. Included is an early written exchange, circa 1864, between Elise Rondeau and a local parish priest who disagree on religious freedom and the interpretation of a biblical passage. The correspondence between Annie and her parents, including the period in which she is a student at McGill, is written in French (from and to her mother) and English (from and to her father). This correspondence provides a vital resource on early student life and the day-to-day concerns of a young woman living away from home in late 19th Montreal. The correspondence is rich in its detail and frankness on matters of family life, conflict, and religious and educational issues.

The E.G.D. Murray fonds consist of correspondence (1955-1964), publications (1926-1962), and obituaries (1964-1965)

The Howard A. Steppler fonds chiefly reflects Steppler's long and distinguished career as an expert in agricultural research in the developing world and consists of the following:
-International organization directorship files including correspondence, minutes, planning and review documents, and board of trustee files
-International research and consulting activities records include his role as an advisor
-Conferences, workshops, attended or given by him on arid lands, forest management, agro-forestry, International Centres Week, 1975-1995

• Correspondence, arranged chronologically or in subject files

Steppler’s role as a McGill professor and administrator is reflected in the minutes of the Macdonald College Soil Fertility Committee, 1934-1946, minutes of the course revision committee, 1965-1970, correspondence and reports of his chairmanship of the Macdonald 2000 Committee, minutes of staff meetings, 1980-1981, minutes of Senate sub-committee on development at Macdonald College, 1966-69; course lecture notes for statistics courses, 1951-1974 and agronomy course, ca.1959-ca.1969; and his writings on agro-forestry, plant science, agricultural technology in developing countries, presidential addresses and international agricultural development, 1951-1990. There are also Canadian professional associations and committees records, including his files as president of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, 1953-1966.

His personal records include notes from Glenn Steppler’s history thesis (undated) and membership records in the Montreal Rotary Club (1980-1987).

"The fonds consists of the records of the following groups:
Carrefour d’éducation populaire de Pointe Saint-Charles;
Clinique communautaire de Pointe Saint-Charles;
Regroupement Information Logement;
Archives populaires de Pointe Saint-Charles.
These records document the activities of these groups to improve the quality of life and living conditions for the inhabitants of Pointe Saint-Charles. They include administrative documents, minutes of meetings, records of general assemblies and committee meetings, records of demonstrations, position papers, community newspapers and related photographs."