The papers of Michael D. Jones and his family consist of :
Deeds and legal papers dating from the 17th century, relating to various family properties located in Flintshire, Denbighshire and Merioneth. Some items, including rent and account books for 1852-1865, relate to the Plas yn rhal estate, Rhuthun.
Personal correspondence and papers consist of letters mainly, addressed to Michael D. Jones and family members. The diaries of Michael D. Jones are numerous and include details of preaching appointments and journeys to collect money towards the Bala Independent College. Some references are made to the first people to emigrate to Patagonia and an 1882 diary records his own visit to South America. There are also such items as the marriage settlement of Michael D. Jones and Anne Lloyd of Rhuthun, their marriage certificate, and his will.
The papers which relate to the Bala Independent College touch mainly upon the feud which developed between Michael D. Jones, as Principal of the College, and others of the same denomination, which became known as the Battle of the Two Constitutions. There are letters addressed to Michael D. Jones from various correspondents such as Ioan Pedr, as well as essays and articles on the subject, collection books of the College, and also the original report in which the Deputies of the Bala and Bangor Colleges agree that the two colleges should unite, 1889. In addition, there is a series of denomination diaries belonging to Michael D. Jones and Prof Thomas Rhys of Bangor.
There are numerous letters to Michael D. Jones from the Welsh settlers in Patagonia or relating to them, prior to the sailing of the Mimosa and after. Amongst them is a letter from Charles de Gaulle, the eminent Breton and Celticist, expressing his interest in the scheme to found a Welsh colony in Patagonia. Also, amongst the correspondents are L. Patagonia Humphreys, Rev. D. Lloyd Jones, Rhuthun and Mihangel ap Iwan and Llwyd ap Iwan. The papers reflect the hardship suffered by the new settlers as well as the investment made by Michael D. Jones in the venture. There are bills and receipts relating to the Mimosa, share certificates, statistics regarding population for 1879. Also, a bank pass book of the Welsh Colonising and General Trading Company Ltd, 1870-1883, and a register of the Welsh applicants to Patagonia, 1875-1876.
Amongst the Llwyd ap Iwan documents there are three journals written by him whilst on prospecting and surveying expeditions to the foothills of the Andes, undertaken during the years 1888, 1893-4, 1897. They are full of interesting and fascinating descriptions of the changing Patagonian landscape, with observations on the fauna and flora of the region, all richly interspersed with racy accounts of adventures and incidents en route. There is a substantial amount of letters addressed to Llwyd ap Iwan from his father and other family members and friends as well as a photocopy of a letter describing his murder in detail.
Items which belong to other individuals include a diary for 1912 belonging to Mihangel ap Iwan, diaries belonging to Hugh Davies of Plas yn rhal, second husband of Mrs Michael D. Jones, an autobiography by Ap Vychan, 1849, a book of sermon notes belonging to Rev. Michael Jones, senior, ca. 1815 and a summary of the life of Rev. Abraham Matthews who was one of the first settlers in Patagonia.
Other miscellaneous items are papers relating to the building of Ramah Chapel, Llandderfel, Merioneth, 1869-1880, a group of documents on Hen Fwlch Chapel, in Newchurch, Carmarthenshire and a report and valuation on Bodiwan, the home of Michael D. Jones, made in 1870.