Despite these divisions, all materials are somewhat interrelated. For example, the financial records and correspondence of the early years of the Gilbert family orchard business are included both in the Financial series and in the Agriculture series. The Financial series, 1905-1977, has two major parts. The first consists largely of individual federal income tax returns of several members of the Gilbert family, all of whom were active in the family's orchard and fruit-related businesses. No other materials from Gilbert's various business ventures have been identified.
All materials are in alphabetically arranged folders with subject headings.
Materials are evenly distributed through the period from 1905 to 1977. The Subject File series, 1893-1977, assembed as a unit by the processor, brings together loosely ordered materials. The series contains both personal papers and business records indirectly related to the Gilberts' businesses. The personal items include correspondence with various family members, items concerning family history and a group of William O. Douglas material, which includes newspaper clippings, correspondence and a fragmentary biography by Marian D. Irish. The business records are made up of job applications, general correspondence, court cases, employee records, maps and building plans.