The collection includes correspondence, original photographs, diaries, and articles regarding specific family members and general family history. A majority of the materials are contemporary documents created or collected by Bill Failing, often in the form of correspondence and written histories. Also included is a small amount of materials created by past family members, including Mary Forbush Failing, the daughter of Henry Failing and Emily Phelps (Corbett) Failing. Of particular interest are the diaries of Edward Failing on his ship journey to Portland in 1853, original letters regarding Henry Failing, and photographs of Josiah Failing. Also of note are several family trees, that trace individual lines to their Oregon arrival.