Most of the letters are from Charles Ansel Morse to his family in New Bedford, Massachusetts. There are also letters from Charles Ansel Morse to his wife, Helen Morse. The subjects touched upon in the letters include business and real estate ventures in Chicago, caring for low income and aging family members, social life in Chicago, and Oscar Wilde’s tour of America.

Also included are calling cards and “at-home” cards of many early Chicago residents. There are also several wedding invitations. There are genealogical notes of the Small and Barnard family and the marriage certificates of Elias A. Morse and Mary Ann Small for Jay, Maine and Taunton, Massachusetts. There are several pages from a family bible of the birth, marriage, and death records of the Morse family.

The collection also includes several photographs of Helen and her sister Mary Keith from infancy to adulthood. Included is a tintype of Morgan Keith. There is a photograph of “Grandmother Morse” and a photograph of Elias A. Morse, as well as several photographs of unidentified individuals.