The collection begins with the correspondence of both the Sheldon and Fife families, arranged in general chronological order with the Fife materials appearing first, followed by the Sheldon letters.

The Fife-associated correspondence extends back to 1851, when David Bell, a cadet at West Point, wrote letters regarding his life there to his niece, Elizabeth Hutchison (later, Theaker, and mother to Mary Theaker Fife). There are also letters from Elizabeth’s brother, David W. Hutchison, a Union soldier under Grant during the Civil War. Hutchison was killed during the battle of Cold Harbor in June 1864, and the letter of notification of his death is included, plus a transcript (typewritten) of all the letters. Another folder contains a few letters and a “memory book” of Elizabeth Hutchison Theaker.

The correspondence of the family of Elmer E. and Mary Theaker Fife follows; much of the correspondence is between the elder Fifes and their daughters, particularly Eunice. The letters provide information about missionary life and work in India, with special emphasis on teaching and education. One folder contains letters ad documents regarding Sadhu Sundar Singh, the Indian Christian and mystic. Singh toured through Europe in 1925 and 1926, and aroused great controversy, particularly among the German clergy (both Catholic and Protestant), because of his claim to miraculous healings and other mystical experiences. Several writers attempted to discredit him as an imposter; others rose to his defense. The letters directed to Elmer Fife request information and documentation as to Singh’s background, as Singh had attended a mission school headed by Fife.

The correspondence of Sidney R. Sheldon completes this series; it dates from 1908 to 1936 and much of it is directed to and from his wife, Eunice, during his business trips. The earlier correspondence with his parents, from 1908 to 1911, describes his travels, his first year teaching in Shanghai, and was saved to form a journal.

The next series includes diaries and documents of various members of the Fife family, including a survey book, dating from 1818 and belonging to Robert Theaker, the diary of Isaac Fife, 1871-1872, a diary of Elmer Fife, 1921, and the diaries of Eunice Fife, 1905 to 1910. Eunice’s diaries, begun when she was 12 years old, are well-written, humorous accounts of domestic life I the missionary and European community in India.

A series of reports, pamphlets and associated items regarding the mission work of the Presbyterian Church in India follows. Of particular interest are the Punjab Mission reports, which give detailed accounts of the activities and projects at each or the mission stations in the Punjab on a yearly basis (although this is not a complete set, by any means).

Appearing next are the texts of Elmer Fife’s sermons, handwritten in most cases, with notes and revisions inserted. Some of the sermons are marked with date and location delivered; some were repeated seven or eight times in different places. The sermons have been kept in the same order they were received, as it is not possible to determine a satisfactory chronological order.

Sidney R. Sheldon’s papers comprise files of teaching materials, letters and documents from his years at Nanyang University in Shanghai. This institution was variously known as Imperial Polytechnic College, government Institute of Technology, Nanyang College and Nanyang University. The latter name appears most often and is used in the finding aid.

The collection ends with a section of miscellany, including documents and published pieces by Eunice Fife Sheldon, pamphlets regarding the Masonic Lodge of China, a thesis by Sidney R. Sheldon and two others regarding incandescent lamps (at the University of Wisconsin), an autobiography of Sheldon on microfilm and Sheldon's scrapbook.

Two boxes of photographs of the Sheldon, Fife, and related families, plus some pictures of Nanyang College, have been removed to the Photograph Collection for preservation reasons.

A series of maps from Sheldon’s trips in Alaska and British Columbia as a young man are included at the end of the collection; many have been cut in strips, probably for easier handling while traveling, and some are in poor repair. An 1867 map of the Johnstone and Broughton Straits and Queen Charlotte Sound is probably the oldest of the group.