The fonds consists of family and related papers of Henry Fowlds and his family including James S. Fowlds and H.M. Fowlds. It also includes business correspondence, invoices, some journals and cashbooks, mortgages as well as deeds regarding the business of Henry Fowlds, Jas. S. Fowlds and Bros. and H.M. Fowlds. In December 2001, Trent University Archives launched an online exhibit which depicts Helen Fowld's experiences in World War I. All her letters and diaries are transcribed and are found at the following site: [Nursing Sister Helen L. Fowlds: A Canadian Nurse in World War I.]: http://digitalcollections.trentu.ca/exhibits/fowlds/

This fonds consists of primary research material and the manuscript and photographs for Harley R. Cummings' book, "Early Days in Haliburton". The fonds also consists of correspondence, including letters from the Honorable Leslie Frost, photographs, maps, and an original 1863 surveyor's diary for Eyre Township. Also included are the C.R. Stewart diaries, dated 1902-1904. C.R. Stewart (1826-1905) was resident agent for the Canadian Land and Immigration Company and was the first settler in the Village of Haliburton. In his diaries he refers to Colonel Samuel Hughes and Mossom Boyd. Stewart's son, C.E. Stewart (1851-1921) was editor of the "Bobcaygeon Independent". The fonds also includes several historical papers and publications written by Cummings and others.

Fonds consists of Harley Cummings' research material for Early Days in Haliburton, published in 1963. Included are original wage lists, letters, receipts, accounting records, and agreements of the Ottawa logging company, Bronsons and Weston, with several documents relating to their York Branch operation. Documents relating to business transactions with the Boyd lumbering company of Bobcaygeon, and with individuals along the Peterson Road and Bobcaygeon Road who provided supplies and lodging for the workers comprise a part of the holdings. Mentioned are the Egan Farm in Dungannon Township, Hastings County, and the Bruton Farm on the Peterson Road in Haliburton County. There are references, too, to the operation of cadges between locations (commercial carriers which transported supplies by horses and sleigh/buggy). Also included are copy maps; photographs; notes; handwritten transcriptions of diaries of Alexander Niven and of Mrs. C.R. Stewart; and photographs of Lillian de Grassi Boyd, the Blomfield [Blumfield] family of Lakefield, and the Strickland homestead in Lakefield.

The fonds consists mostly of Helen Marryat's (nee Helen Fowlds) personal experiences as a nurse in World War I, and her activities as a local historian. There are clippings of her articles in local newspapers, historical maps (drawn by Gerald Marryat) and other materials relating to settlement of Hastings and district such as education and nursing. Also included are the correspondence and photograph collections of her brothers, Donald and Eric (mostly from World War I), and material on Frederick Marryat (1792-1848), navy captain and novelist. In December 2001, Trent University Archives launched an online exhibit which depicts Helen Fowld's experiences in World War I. All her letters and diaries are transcribed and are found at the following site: http://digitalcollections.trentu.ca/exhibits/fowlds/ffowldswelcome.htm

Fonds pertains to the life of Theodore Thorne Hamilton (1890-1959) and his extended family. The documents, comprised of original letters, vital statistic certificates, photographs, and postcards, are interleaved with detailed biographical information compiled by the donor, Mr. Jim Hamilton, a second cousin (twice removed) of Theodore Thorne Hamilton. Included are approximately 100 photographs pertaining to the Skeena River flood of 1936, approximately 30 early 20th-century Bobcaygeon area postcards, and two Bibles.

Fonds consists of diaries, notebooks, and "cash books" of W.T.C. Boyd relating primarily to business matters, with occasional references to personal matters. Also included are photographs of family members; letters written during WWI by Boyd's son, Thornton; letters and documents related to the building of Boyd's house by architect, John E. Belcher; and letters and documents relating to the family cattle/buffalo cross-breeding enterprise.