Materials in this collection have been grouped by family name or by location whenever possible; otherwise materials are grouped by document type, such as records in the Apprenticeship or Military series. At the end of the collection is a large set of general records organized by county and further organized by document type, mostly consisting of deeds.

Oversize materials, rolls, and other items not stored with the main collection at the MS 239 call number are described at the end of each series or subseries when relevant. Folder numbers for MS 239 are non-consecutive to reflect items that have been pulled to be stored at these other locations.

The documents have been described to include the following information (if available) for each item: date, names or parties mentioned, general document type (deeds, estate, legal and family matters, etc.): specific document type (bonds, quitclaims, mortgages, marriage settlements, wills, etc.), places (counties, cities/villages and parishes), and notes. Dates are usually the earliest date associated with the document; however, the document may contain later dates as well. Places identified in the collection frequently have a (place name) in parentheses; this is typically the standardized spelling for a parish name. The notes may also include summaries of content, partial transcriptions or translations, paraphrases, information about the physical state of the documents, names and places not mentioned elsewhere, etc.