The Clifford collection of manuscripts comprises 75 English and European manuscripts, including nine medieval volumes and one of three extant 14th century Chertsey Abbey cartularies, books owned by Cardinal Weld and writings about the Catholic religion. There is also a file of correspondence of Charles Clifford, 6th Baron Clifford, dating from 1812-1825.
Papers about the discovery of methods of measuring longitude at sea, notably the work of John Harrison. They also include papers relating to other issues of navigation. There are records, notably logs of scientific observations, relating to some major voyages of discovery, including ones led by Captain James Cook, Captain Matthew Flinders and Captain George Vancover, as well as to the search for the North West Passage.
The records of the Admiralty and Secretariat filmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project cover the records of the Admiralty Office up to 1832 and of the Secretary's Department of the reorganised Board of Admiralty after that date.
The records comprise minutes of the Standing Committee 1778-1819, 1900-1935 and the Foreign Committee 1846-1880, anniversary sermons, annual reports and journals of monthly meetings of the Society 1901-1935, missionary reports 1852-1938, letters received from Australia, New Zealand, Melanesia and Southeast Asia 1821-1936, copies of letters of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Overseas Secretary 1842-1935, missionary rolls 1846-1910, candidates' papers 1821-1857, testimonials, ledgers 1891-1936 and photograph albums, including photographs of Malaya, Singapore, Borneo and Melanesia.
1. Letterbook 1615-20 of Capt. William Keeling describing the third voyage undertaken by the East India Co and referring to trade with the East Indies and Anglo-Dutch rivalry.