The original contents of this collection arrived in various different packages labeled “A” through “Y.” A 48pp. inventory, prepared by Grevel Lindop, described the materials in detail in their original ordering. The contents were re-ordered by the Wade Center according to the system described below, but the original contents listings have been retained and can be accessed upon request. The original containers the materials arrived in were discarded when deemed that they were unsuitable for archival preservation and also held no research content. Those containers are described, however, in the Lindop listing.

The collection consists of five series: Correspondence, Documents, Miscellanea, Publications, and Unpublished Materials.

The Correspondence series contains several subseries. Business Correspondence and Royalty Statements includes letters, Williams book royalty statements, and financial documents between Michal Williams, Michael Williams, and various publishers, accountants, and in particular David Higham Associates, the executor for the estate of  Charles Williams. Additional royalty statements (acquired from an unknown source) were added to this series that did not come with the original materials of this collection. Other letter subseries are: Edith Williams, General Correspondence, Michal Williams and Michael Williams. For more correspondence with Williams family members and Charles Williams, see The Charles Williams Papers. The letters below were removed from this collection and placed in the Charles Williams Papers:

By Charles Williams, stored in the Charles Williams Papers

To Michal Williams (wife): fragment beginning “to ask after you,” fragments dated 12/10/39 and 2/15/43, empty envelopes dated: 4/1/40, 2/5/41, 3/13/41, 4/8/42, 8/18/43, 9/16/43, 12/1/43, 8/17/44, 9/30/44, 1/19/45, 2/6/45, 2/21/45, letters dated: 9/22/43 and 8/28/44, and a printed Christmas card from 1924.

To Michael Williams (son): 1 empty and undated envelope, letters dated: 12/8/41, 1/5/42, 11/25/42 (with env.), 9/14/42, 9/20/42, 11/17/42, 3/24/43, 6/16/43, 6/28/43 (with env.), 10/14/43, 12/10/43 (with env.), 3/31/44 (with env.), 4/11/44 (with env.), 5/5/44, 5/19/44, 5/22/44 (with env.), 6/30/44 (with env.), 7/15/44 (with env.), 8/11/44, 8/12?/44, 9/29/44 (fragment), 11/5/44 (with enclosed letter from Raymond Shipman), 11/18/44 (fragment), 11/23/44 (with env.), 1/1/45, and empty envelope postmarked 2/4/45.

To Edith (sister): ca. August 1905 (with env.) and undated letter with copies and enclosure: ”An Urbanity” pamphlet by Charles Williams.

To Alice Wall (aunt): letters dated: 6/2/1902 and 6/3/1903

By C.S. Lewis and Warren Lewis, stored in the C.S. Lewis Letters Collection, the Warren H. Lewis Letter Collection, and copies in the Charles Williams Papers

CSL to Mrs. Williams: 6/15/48, 4/22/50 (with env.), 9/12/52 (transcript only)

CSL to Michael Williams: 8/19/49 (transcript only)

WHL to Mrs. Williams: 11/12/48

By Dorothy L. Sayers, stored in the Dorothy L. Sayers Papers and copies in the Charles Williams Papers

DLS to Michal and Michael Williams: transcripts only – 6/28/48, 12/23/53, 12/2/47, undated, 5/24/48, 5/5/50, and 1/4/56.

The Documents series contains personal documents relating to Alice Wall, Edith Williams, and Michal Williams, as well as Williams Family Vital Records (marriage, birth, and death certificates), Insurance and Housing Lease documents, and documents relating to the St. Alban’s Pageant from 1907.

The Miscellanea series contains a variety of cards, handwritten, typed, and printed documents and other items relating to the Williams Family. The Publications series contains articles and other pieces by and about Charles Williams, some non-Williams Family related pieces, and a large portion of work by Charles’s father, R.W.S. Williams (in particular a large scrapbook of his article clippings).

The Unpublished Materials series has various typescripts, many relating to Charles Williams, and some longer works including Full Fathom Five by Anne Gould, draft material for a memoir of Michal by her son Michael Williams, and a draft of a novel possibly by Michael. The series also includes a memories book with verses and drawings, possibly belonging to Edith Williams, and a large collection of family photographs (including some of Charles Williams), the originals of which are stored in the Williams Photographs collection at the Wade Center. Photocopies of the photos are included in folders 76-77. Some were removed from a small photograph album which remains with the collection.