The papers in the collection relate to the Paton family and their missionary service in the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) from 1858-2011. The papers include correspondence, journals, reports, lectures, circulars and photographs from that describe the early missions and the Paton family's involvement in establishing the Presbyterian Church in the New Hebrides. The papers describe and include information on family and personal life, finances, the work of the mission such as the education of local Ni-Vanuatu at the Tangoa Teachers' Training Institute and the establishment of Constitution of Synod. Also included in this collection is a slideshow of mission work most likely used to garner general and financial support for the mission work. Isobel Paton filed these papers by person and continued to add to these collections with newspaper clippings and other articles related to the work of the Paton family in Vanuatu.
Some local information included in this collection are: a local legend on the origin of yam, volcanic eruption on Lopevi Island on November 1, 1939 and some correspondence from Wilfred Paton to David Bule in local language.