The Kinney family papers cover three generations, and family members were located in Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, and Ohio. Edward Porter Kinney's papers comprise a large portion of the collection. Since E. P. Kinney lived and worked in the Lansing area, much of the material in this collection pertains to East Lansing and Lansing, Michigan. Also, a majority of the material included in the family papers pertains to electricity and electrical engineering as many of the family members worked in this profession. The Kinney "family tree" is included in the genealogical files. The tree is extensive, dates back to the 1500s, and includes some narrative family history and three newspaper articles featuring Kinney family homes in East Lansing, Michigan.

Daniel Kinney's papers consist of a speech he delivered to the Lorian County Agricultural Society at Oberlin College in 1848, expounding on agricultural economics and the benefits of the use of technology in agriculture. The original, handwritten copy of the speech, and two typewritten copies with marginal notes are included.

Edward Cornelius Kinney's papers consist of a letter that he wrote in 1908 to his sisters, Rose and Sarah. The letter discusses a G.A.R. National Encampment that Kinney attended in Toledo that year and an old family home in Oberlin.

The E. P. Kinney business papers (1888-1930) include a history of the installation of electricity in the Capitol building; drafts of correspondence to the editor of the State Journal and to Senator H. G. Hittle discussing the introduction of electricity in Lansing; a pamphlet explaining the Edison System of incandescent lighting; and a letter written by E. Ewing & Son outlining a contract for painting the Farmer's Market in Lansing (1930). E. P. Kinney's personal papers (1890-1954) consist of items relating to the Kinney family history including newspaper articles, business cards, photographs, and the "Kinney Saga", written by E. P. Kinney. Also included are letters he wrote to a CBS-affiliated radio program in Renfro Valley, Kentucky describing life in Kansas in the late 19th Century; and magazine clippings which depict the type of ox-drawn covered wagon used by the Kinney family when they migrated to Kansas in 1869.

Harry Allen Kinney's papers consist of a patent (1915) for improvements in electric accumulators. His invention made it possible to clean or replace the electrolyte of a battery without disconnecting the connecting straps from the plates.

The Frank F. Kinney papers consist of a published interview (1948) in which he recalled an assignment he was given in 1907 to photograph ice formations at Niagara Falls. The article also includes biographical information on Frank Kinney and the Kinney family.

Ernest A. Kinney's papers include a resume and other records related to his professional career.

Sarah Moffett Graham's papers consist of several pages from her autograph book, 1861-1884.