Gould's papers fall into two series. Family correspondence covers the years 1856 to 1860, when Joseph and his brother Charles were travelling in Europe, and consists of letters home from both young men, and their parents' replies. Manuscript music comprises two volumes of church anthems, with some organ music; some are original compositions by Gould and Samuel Warren. Related to this is Gould's brief manuscript account of the origin of the Mendelssohn Choir. Some family photographs are also included.

Letter from George Washington, thanking Cochrane for assistance with some hounds sent by the Marquis de la Fayette and declining to promote him (or his client) to the office of Continental Treasurer.

The major record of the McGill Chapter's early years is a register containing members' signatures, 1911-1969, and minutes from 1912 to 1932; a second minute book covers the period 1960-1969. Approximately two-thirds of the papers are secretary's files from 1961 to 1978 containing membership lists, correspondence concerning prospective members, circular letters announcing meetings, and correspondence with the headquarters of AOA. There are also receipts for initiation fees from 1954 to 1969.

The fonds consists of the correspondence of John Wightman, related to the McGill Graduate's Society in the Maritime provinces.

The Aileen Ross fonds consists mainly of correspondence (1935-1990), research files, a brief autobiography (1940-1980), biographical material (1920-1990), and specific talks (1942-1973). Included are personal diaries (1918-1962), appointment books (1946-1992), and Matthew Ibbotson's correspondence to Ross (1921-1927). Books, original and printed articles, newspaper clippings, and reviews of books and articles are also part of the collection. Non textual records consist of several photographs.

Apart from a printed copy of his LL.D. thesis on the idea of atonement amongst the ancient Hebrews, and a copy of examination questions in mathematics set by him, Duff's papers are almost entirely concerned with his application for the Bradford position in 1877. These comprise letters of recommendation from J. W. Dawson, Alexander Johnson (Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Arts), and two professors at Andover Theological Seminary, as well as copies of a letter from A.M. Fairbairn of Aberdeen, encouraging Duff to apply for the post. There is also a copy of Duff's letter to the secretary of the Congregational College in which he declines an offer of teaching work.

Very few of the McLeod papers actually concern the Observatory. However, his work for the railways and in Newfoundland is documented, as are his views on the education and employment of engineers. The basic record for the early part of his career is a diary kept from 1870 to 1875, regarding student days and early work on the Observatory. An essay, "Winter under canvas" (1868) describes an early surveying job, and a letter from his father (1872) inquires about his academic progress. His work for the railways is documented by three letters of recommendation, and two letters (one from Stanford Fleming) on the work of his colleagues in the West. The Newfoundland survey (1875) is described in McLeod's diary, a manuscript essay "Across Newfoundland" (1876), his printed reports and three letters. His work at McGill is represented by six letters (largely official acknowledgements of appointments), and McLeod's manuscript notes on McGill history. McLeod's concern with the engineering profession is reflected in two addresses on education and professional development, and copies of about a dozen letters to Sir Wilfrid Laurier (1906-1908), C.A. McGrath and E.F. Wurtele (1912), largely on the employment of engineers in the civil service.

The greater portion of Purves' papers consists of research materials from his undergraduate and post-graduate period. These include lecture notes in natural philosophy and chemistry (1921-1923), laboratory notes on methylated sugars (1923-1924), extraction of glucose by yeast (1929-1931) and carbohydrate analysis (1929-1930) and reports of experiments at the U.S. National Institute of Health. Teaching files contain lecture notes for his courses in organic chemistry (1957-1965) and correspondence with John R. Platt regarding a new textbook of elementary organic chemistry.

MacIntosh's involvement with the Medical Research Council of Canada is documented by correspondence, agendas and minutes (1960-1962) concerning grant applications and administrative affairs, particularly the Advisory Committee on Policy.