The records include: diaries, field books, scrapbooks and subject files containing notes and correspondence covering Swannell's career as a surveyor in Northern British Columbia, his army service in the First World War in Europe and Russia and his later travels in British Columbia, Europe and Asia. The diaries and field books are profusely illustrated with photos.

The file consists of the reminiscences of Arthur Shelford, a Wistaria farmer. Mr. Shelford emigrated to Canada in 1908 and settled at Ootsa Lake. He served overseas in World War I and then returned to his farm at Ootsa Lake where he remained until he retired to Victoria in 1966. Vol. 2 is a corrected and expanded version.