This collection contains personal correspondence from two generations of the Symonds family of Lynn, Massachusetts, and correspondence from members of the Warren and Collins families, also from Lynn. Included are two letter books and reproductions of photographs of many Symonds and Collins family members.

Folder 1 contains correspondence to Walter E. Symonds and correspondence to his two wives, Anna (Annie) or Mary Symonds. Included is one letter from Cynthia Warren, Anna and Mary's mother, and also poetry by Fannie Hitchings. Folder 2 contains two letter books of Walter E. Symonds from 1862-1863. They include drafts of letters, many to two Union soldiers, Amos or Charles, and discuss news of the War as well as family affairs.

Folder 3 contains correspondence to Anna Louise Symonds from family members, in particular from her father. Included is one note from Anna Louise to her grandmother. Folders 4 to 7 contain correspondence from Anna Louise to Charles Collins and document their courtship from 1890 to 1898. Folders 8 to 10 contain Charles' letters to Anna Louise from 1898 to 1906. Much of the family correspondence is written during summer holidays at the Crawford House in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

Folder 11 contains three additional letters, including one from Warren Symonds to his brother-in-law Charles Collins (1899), one from Charles' daughter Anna to her father (1914), and one to Anna Louise soliciting her recollections of Boston University in the 1890s (1943).

Folder 12 contains ephemera and news clippings, including a report of Charles and Anna Louise's wedding. Folder 13 contains genealogical information and reproductions of photographs of many Symonds and Collins family members, including one of Charles and Anna Louise's 50th wedding anniversary on October 5, 1949.