The Appleton family papers consist of journals, letters, photograph albums, photographs, and printed material documenting the history of the Appleton family in Whitby, England, and Northern California (1873-1919). Notable items from the collection include Frank Appleton's diaries documenting his family's immigration to the United States and life in Northern California (1889); a railroad timetable and notes from John Appleton's travel across Canada (1888); excerpts from John Appleton's letters written on his Klondike expedition (1898-1899); photographs of the construction of sheds along the Central Pacific Railroad over Donner Pass (1890); views of San Francisco, Sacramento, and the Northern Sierras (ca. 1900); and an embroidered sampler created by Mary Appleton (1877).