The collection is comprised of correspondence from two generations of the Day and McCarthy families dating from 1837 to 1846, 1943 and 1945. The 19th-century documents are written mostly in German but also in French and English. There is a large date gap between 1847 and 1942 and there are also small gaps in 1841, 1843, and 1845.

The correspondence is mostly written in old German script (Kurrent) to John Day dating from 1837 to 1846. The notes are small pieces of paper, approximately 3.5 x 5.5 inches. Most contain an average of four lines of text much like a poem, plus a closing which usually includes the date, place written, and a signature. Few of the notes contain a greeting, many were written at Berncastel (Bernkastel, Germany), and several were composed around certain dates such as January-February 1838, 26-28 June 1838, 11-12 Nov 1839, and 20-31 May 1840. Some of the notes contain more narrative content.

There are two notes from Lanesville, Harrison County, Indiana, dated November 11, 1839, one of which was written in English by John’s brother, Theodor Day, asking John when he might return home. There are also five notes written from Louisville, Kentucky, one of which is in French, from October to November 1839. Two more extensive notes date from February 1840 in Trier, Germany, have the heading, “Motto.”

There are a few interesting attachments and enclosures with the notes. A hand colored ink drawing is attached to a note dated June 28, 1838. There are several pieces of hair attached to notes dated 26 June 1838, 27 June 1838, ca. 1840 (braided into a heart and sewn to paper), 26 April 1842, and 1846.

The three 20th-century documents in the collection include two telegrams sent by John H. McCarthy III to his girlfriend in St. Louis, Virginia Marie Tolkacz, dated 1943 and 1945. The first telegram provides McCarthy’s current mailing address in New Jersey. The second telegram from Rome, November 8, 1945, asks Virginia to tell his mother not to sell the car as he expects to be home in January. McCarthy was in Europe awaiting transport to the United States in December 1945, at the 7th Replacement Depot in Italy. He sent an informational pamphlet about the history of the medical center and its surrounding area, provided by the U.S. Army, with a brief note to Virginia Tolkacz written on the last page.