The Smith Family Papers are divided into seven series: BUSINESS RECORDS, PERSONAL PAPERS, SCHOOL RECORDS, NEWS CLIPPINGS, INVITATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, and PHOTOGRAPHS.

The BUSINESS RECORDS (1853-1926) document some of the businesses in which the family was engaged and include a fairly complete set of record books (1850s) from Dominicus Jordan's general store; a cash ledger (1876-1882, 1925-1926); and receipts documenting transactions between family members and business interests.

The PERSONAL PAPERS (1847-1967) are arranged by family member and thereunder chronologically and include the estate records of both the Dominicus Jordan estate and the B.F. Smith estate, as well as various personal financial documents. Also included are records demonstrating the community involvement of various family members, including B.F. Smith, Lizzie Smith, Horace J. Smith, Robert “Pete” Smith, and Barbara Smith.

The SCHOOL RECORDS (1877-1944) consist of report cards, assignments, diary entries, and yearbooks. The Rockford Female Seminary records document both Addie Smith Wells' and Lizzie Smith's attendance at that institution. Horace J. Smith's and Robert C. Smith's school records include both De Pere High School and the University of Wisconsin. Scattered report cards are also included for Phillip, Margaret, and Mark Smith while they attended elementary school.

The NEWS CLIPPINGS (1858-1992) include newspaper and magazine articles pertaining to family members. These principally date from World War II and later documenting the family's involvement in the war, although there are some earlier clippings such as the obituary of Dominicus Jordan's son, Robert.

The INVITATIONS (1868-1941, undated) consist of invitations to weddings, anniversary celebrations, and birthday parties and are arranged chronologically.

The CORRESPONDENCE (1849-1990, primarily 1849-1950)) is the largest series and is arranged chronologically. Much of the correspondence is among family members although there is some with friends and acquaintances. Some of the early correspondence relates to the Jordan family's life in Maine prior to their move to Wisconsin. Many of the letters were written between the parents and their children or between siblings when family members were away at school, and both home life and school life are richly detailed. Both Addie and Lizzie Smith wrote home frequently during the years they spent at Rockford Female Seminary, and Horace also described in detail his experiences as a student in Madison. The years 1897 through 1899 contain letters written by Horace Smith describing his travels east and west, providing accounts of the scenery and the many interesting people he encountered and experiences he had. The bulk of the wartime correspondence was written to Catherine (Carney) Smith from her five children while serving in the armed forces. There are also letters from Robert “Pete” Smith to his wife Barbara. The war time correspondence is particularly rich in terms of home front activities, rationing, personal perceptions regarding wartime events, military life, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The PHOTOGRAPHS are arranged by family member or location and thereunder chronologically and consist of both individual portraits and group shots. Included are two sets of photographs depicting Horace J. Smith and Robert “Pete” Smith from birth to later life. In addition to the family photographs, there are photos of A.G. Wells' store and the family home at 302 N. Broadway. Photographs from a scrapbook depict a cottage (1916), as well as photos of Gracie Field, the daughter of William and Martha (Jordan) Field who died suddenly during childhood. Photocopies of the photographs have been kept with the collection. The original photographs are in the Visual Materials Archive in Madison.