This collection is composed of personal papers, genealogy material and family photographs, gathered by Theodor R. and Helen V. Swem. Included are original documents, notes on the Swem, Gregg and Wright families, correspondence among family members regarding genealogy, articles, books, publications and diaries by or about the families, photographs of family members, including one of Dr. Earl Gregg Swem, Sr., Earl Gregg Swem, Jr., and Earl Gregg Swem, III, and material on Earl Gregg Swem's connection to the College of William and Mary. The collection also contains photographs, circa 1870s-1988, taken of and by members of the Swem family. Some of the 19th century photographs were taken by E.L. (Edward Lawrence) Swem, the father of Earl Gregg Swem, who was the owner of Swem & Newton Gallery in Belle Plaine, Iowa and later of Swem Cottage Gallery (or also Swems Studio) in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Most photographs are described and often dated on the reverse side.