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The diary of Albert "Russell" McKay (1886-1917) covers the period from September 1909 to January 1916. The diary discusses farm and rural life and work, and includes accounts of taffy pulls, box socials, temperance meetings, and the young women he encounters. He notes getting a telephone and learning to drive a car as well as a variety of farm chores. Recipes, cures, poems, and accounts such as those for sales of grain, hay, and potatoes are included at the back of the diary. A few additional entries are made in 1919, likely by Russell’s brothers Frederick J. and/or George Emmerson McKay.

Contains nine diaries written by Barbara McLeod of Glen Huron, Ontario, and later of Creemore, Ontario, between 1946-1989. Financial records of Norman and Barbara McLeod from 1956-1958 are also included.

Includes photocopied reproduction of T. B. Barrett's summary of his diary, made as a gift to his father, W. H. Barrett, in the late 1930's, which discusses life on the farm from his first night there, May 20, 1911 to Jan. 18, 1920; 4 compact discs of scanned diaries from 1911-1958; 2 books written and signed by Harry B. Barrett, 1999 and 2003

Includes typed summary transcripts by Harry B. Barrett of the diary of Courtland C. Olds for the years 1867, 1873, 1875, 1879, 1880, 1887, 1889, 1894; 2 compact discs of scanned diaries from 1861-1896

The diaries, written while they were courting, detail their courtship, marriage, gender roles, setting up a household, farm work and expenses. E. Buck includes his business accounts at the back of his 1927 diary. Also includes a photocopy of their wedding picture at Hazel Grove Farm; a paper for History 4620 class, written by Jennie Buck, on their courtship entitled "Courtship and Marriage in Early Twentieth Century, Rural Ontario" which provides a lot of the context for the diaries

The Bremner family were Scottish emigrants from the village of Bogton, Aberdeenshire who settled on a farm called Creekdale near the village of Keady in Grey County. The diary was written by James at 19 years of age shortly before he died of appendicitis during a trip to Owen Sound. The farm was sold soon after. Also included are notes about the family by the donor and nephew of the diarist, D. H. Carr.

George Holmwood took over the farm on the north east corner of Woodlawn Road and Highway 6, Guelph in 1881 and kept a diary from 1888 to 1927. The farm was originally composed of lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, Concession 2, Division D, Guelph Township. Lots 3 and 4 had first been bought from the Canada Company by Charles Julius Mickle in 1843 with John Mickle, his son, purchasing lots 1 and 2 from C.C. Huntley in 1846.

The Rural Diary collection contains diaries, notebooks, and associated materials related to various individuals and families from Wellington County, Norfolk County, Grey County, Bruce County, and Brant County.