The material in the Kent County Michigan Survey Collection consists of the original surveyors' reports for Kent County. The first reports delineate the exterior lines for the County and it’s townships. The second section of the reports delineates the interior, or section, lines. The reports contain extensive description of the county's topography (land forms, water courses and swamps) and flora at the time of the surveys, as well as maps plotting Indian villages, trails and gardens in addition to the requisite survey lines. The manuscript material dates from 1826 to 1838.

The manuscript maps on microfilm date from 1826 to 1958. The maps detail the entire southwest quarter of the Lower Peninsula and the Kent County maps will be found approximately two-thirds of the way into the roll. Generally the townships are listed in order beginning with the northeastern most township in the county and proceed in alternating horizontal tiers of townships.