This collection contains an unpublished autobiography by A. W. Owen and genealogical material on his family. The autobiography focuses on Owen's parentage, childhood, personal life, and teaching career. The genealogical material is a compilation of handwritten research on A. W. Owen, copies of censuses that contain his name, copies of letters he wrote, and excerpts from newspapers and books that mention him.

This collection contains school items from Atlanta High School, Civil War correspondence, teaching certifications, and membership cards for various societies to which William Fort Williams belonged. Materials about and from the Williams family include a family tree and genealogy documentation, an Atlanta Cyclorama pamphlet, a court petition and legal guardianship documents, and correspondence.