Correspondence, Boxes 1-3
Scanlan's correspondence (arranged chronologically) includes single letters for the years 1884, 1890, two letters in 1906, and. single letters in 1911, 1914, and 1916. The remainder of the correspondence is dated between 1917 and 1954. A large portion of the early correspondence falls in the year 1918, when Scanlan served in World War I. Most of these letters are from his wife, his daughter, and his brother Charles. They concern family matters and Scanlan's own welfare.
Beginning with approximately February 1923, the correspondence contains historical material relating to Prairie du Chien. Between the years 1923 and 1937 the correspondence consists partly of letters from Louise P. Kellogg and Alice E. Smith of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin concerning problems of research and the final editing of various articles on Wisconsin history. Many of the letters concern genealogical research carried on for his book Prairie du Chien, French, British, American. Correspondence in the 1940s and 1950s relates to research for articles for the Wisconsin Magazine of History and the Wisconsin Historical Collections, and to Scanlan's personal interest in Wisconsin genealogy.
Research Notes and Boxes, Boxes 4-9
Since Dr. Scanlan was so interested in local history and the history of Wisconsin his papers contain many folders of research notes gathered for the preparation of articles and speeches. These include topics such as the history and churches of Prairie du Chien, the history of Crawford County, the biography of Nicholas Boilvin, histories of Bridgeport, Cassville, Milwaukee, and Irish Ridge (Grant County), and a variety of miscellaneous interests.
Genealogy, Boxes 9-10
Scanlan's genealogical research notes are concerned with such early Wisconsin families as Boilvin, Brisbois, Cardinal, and Giard. These notes were taken in preparation for his book on the history of Prairie du Chien, and later for various articles he wrote.
Miscellaneous Personal Papers, Box 11
Box 11 contains Scanlan's early school class notes, medical notes, official army papers, his brother's diary, and mounted newspaper clippings concerning Wisconsin history. Also included in this box is the correspondence, biography and poetry of his daughter Marian.
