The Harriet C. Rantoul Papers include correspondence, journals, genealogical records for the Neal family, photograph albums, event programs, newspaper clippings and broadsides. This collection has been arranged into two series.

Series I. Harriet C. Rantoul Papers includes correspondence, event programs, newspaper clippings and albums of photographs and postcards. Correspondence to Harriet is primarily from her brother Beverley while he was abroad with the American Red Cross in France. Publications and event programs document celebrations in Salem, including the Salem Tercentenary in 1926. The albums include a family photograph album of travels abroad in Europe, dating circa 1909 to 1912, two postcard albums that document travels to the West Coast of the United States and historic sites in Salem and New England, and a travel album of the costumes of the Swiss cantons.

Series II. Neal Family Papers includes estate documents, genealogical records, journals, and an album for the Neal Family, Ms. Rantoul's mother's family. Estate documents relate to various members of the Neal family and their property. Two personal notebooks along with loose handwritten notes record genealogical information for the Neal family. A handwritten journal related to the ship Navigator is included, most likely related to the work of Captain Jonathan Neal. Two journals are from Mrs. Harriet C. Neal and date approximately 1824, presumably given to her by her brother Joseph Price. Correspondence dates back to 1784 and includes letters from Captain Jonathan Neal, and David A. Neal.