Dawson's family correspondence include letters from Margaret Mercer Dawson, before their marriage between 1841-1845 and also later; his son, George Mercer Dawson, on geological and personal matters; and other family members, between approximately 1869-1899. There are 74 letters exchanged between Sir William and Margaret Mercer Dawson whose topics range from geological excursions to family matters and religious ideas. Letters also give interesting accounts of mid-nineteenth century medical procedures during Margaret's illness.

Subseries consists of Sir William Dawson's letters from a range of correspondents including family members, scientific and university colleagues, business and tradespeople, and friends and acquaintances. Of the 3.2 m of Dawson's general correspondence (c.1-c.19) covering the years 1837-1899, about 5,000 letters are on scientific subjects. With the passage of time, and particularly from the late 1870s onwards, the character of the correspondence becomes less substantially scientific, and more administrative, institutional and formal; at the same time, there is a marked shift towards North American correspondents. Perennial topics are geological exploration, the exchange of mineral specimens, and research or theoretical problems, but these are eventually outweighed by the business of learned societies, government science policy, demands for Dawson to lecture or write, and reactions to his publications. In the 1880s, the Darwin and Eozoon controversies are especially prominent. In 1891, there is correspondence relating to the meeting in Montréal of the Royal Society of Canada. Dawson's correspondents include academics, officials of learned societies, and a number of prominent researchers. There are substantial numbers of letters from Sir Charles Lyell, J.J. Bigsby, Sir William Logan, Spencer Baird, James D. Dana, David Penhallow and J.S. Newberry. Drafts of some of Dawson's outgoing correspondence are included. Dawson's correspondence also contains some items, largely from the Nova Scotia years, on his involvement with church affairs, missions and tract societies. Some clergy, such as the Rector of Little Metis, where Dawson kept a summer house, are amongst his regular correspondents. In later years there are inquiries from the general public on matters of science and faith, and the occasional letter from a religious eccentric. Some items amongst his general correspondence also relate to his education career as the Superintendent of Education in Nova Scotia, as well as to his applications to the University of Edinburgh; most, however, stem from his years as Principal of McGill. These letters discuss educational legislation and the activities of the Protestant Committee of the Council of Public Instruction, consult on points of information and policy with other universities and inquire about McGill's programmes. Noteworthy are the draft letters to Chancellor James Ferrier on the administration of McGill during Dawson's absence in Europe and the Near East (1883-1884), and an exchange of letters with Daniel Wilson of the University of Toronto on the question of co-education. Dawson's 30 cm of family correspondence include letters from Margaret Mercer Dawson, 1842-1845 and later; his son, George Mercer Dawson, on geological and personal matters; and other family members, ca 1869-1899 (c.48-c.49). Finally, his financial affairs are illustrated by letters amongst his general correspondence concerning his mining interests in Nova Scotia, particularly with his agent Howard Primrose and his partner E.A. Prentice. The numerous invoices and receipts are largely for domestic expenses, but include the subscriptions for his lectures to the Natural History Society of Pictou (1849), and bills for the printing and distribution of Dawson's publications.

This sub-series documents the Canadian Textile and Chemical Union (CTCU), which grew out of the Canadian Textile Council (CTC) founded by Madeleine Parent and Kent Rowley in 1952. The CTCU represented manufacturing and service workers and became affiliated with the Canadian Association of Industrial, Mechanical and Allied Workers (CAIMAW). In 1992 the CTCU merged with the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) to become Local 40. However, there are no documents related to the merger in this sub-series. The CTCU was also a member of the national trade union center, founded by Parent and Rowley, the Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU).
The sub-series consists of the CTCU's annual conventions, constitution and by-laws, and files relating to specific union disputes and agreements. There are related materials on the CTCU's union activities in the Artistic Woodwork Company Limited sub-series (C9) and the Puretex Knitting Limited sub-series (C10).

This sub-series relates to the Canadian Textile Council's (CTC) activities while serving as the union for Dominion Textile Company Limited workers and its affiliate Montreal Cottons Limited. Some of the materials document the conflict between the American-based United Textile Workers of America (UTWA) and the Canadian led CTC after workers elected to leave the UTWA for the CTC.
Materials consist of collective agreements, including those with other unions pre and post the CTC. There are files on the 1952 strike at Quebec plants and files on a 1960s dispute at the Ste Anne Mill in Quebec. Moreover, there are a few files on the process and challenge the CTC faced in applying for certification to represent Dominion Textile Company Limited workers. Note that there are related materials to Dominion Textile in the United Textile Workers of America series (B) until the founding of the CTC in 1952.

This sub-series relates to the Canadian Textile Council's (CTC), and later the Canadian Textile and Chemical Union’s (CTCU), activities as the union for Texpack Limited workers in Brantford, Ontario. Files include documentation on collective agreements, negotiations, and the electoral process for Texpack workers to join the CTC. The sub-series also documents the 1971 workers strike that grew out of changes made by new ownership. Texpack Limited was a family-owned company that manufactured gauze dressings and industrial filter materials. In 1964, the company went public and a year later was purchased by the American Hospital Supply Corporation. The purchase led to several proposed changes to the Brantford plant, such as turning the plant from manufacturing to a distribution center. Press releases, correspondence, and photographs document the 1971 strike.

This sub-series relates to the Canadian Textile Council's (CTC) activities as the union for workers at Harding Carpets Limited, a carpet manufacturer based in Ontario. Materials include documentation on the CTC's application for certification as the bargaining agent for Harding employees, collective agreements, negotiations, and arbitration. Moreover, there are materials regarding the 1956 strike of Harding workers at the Brantford, Ontario plant, located on 85 Morrell Street. The strike lasted approximately three months when police cleared the picket line. Members from other unions also supported the strike.

This sub-series relates to the Canadian Textile Council's (CTC) activities as the union for workers at the Wabasso Cotton Company Limited (Empire Cotton Division) in Welland, Ontario. Materials include documentation on the CTC's application for certification as the bargaining agent for Wabasso employees, including the campaign between the CTC and the United Textile Workers of America (UTWA). Also included is documentation on collective agreements and negotiations.

This sub-series documents the strike of about 150 workers at the Artistic Woodwork Company Limited, a plant in Toronto, Ontario that manufactured frames. The strike occurred in 1973 after negotiations broke down between the company and Local 570 of the Canadian Textile and Chemical Union (CTCU). The strike lasted about thirteen weeks. Workers faced police brutality and mass arrests, which led to several convictions, fines, and jail time. A total of four files document the arbitration, the strike, and police response. Articles, press releases, and photographs detail the strike and police response.

This sub-series documents Madeleine Parent's academic achievement, honorary doctorates, and recognitions. Materials include primary and secondary school certificates and report cards, and awards. There are also files with documentation on honorary doctorates Parent received from various Canadian universities. Awarding universities include Windsor University, Athabasca University, Carleton University, and Trent University. Moreover, there is a file on her nomination to the Canadian Labour Hall of Fame. It is important to note that only a photocopy exists for some certificates and awards.