General Subjects is a chronological subject file arranged alphabetically by correspondent's last name that consists entirely of topical incoming citizen letters and petitions. Attached to each inquiry is the governor's or staff member's response. Access material by name (see card index system) or subject (refer to master list of headings).
The Departments and Commissions correspondence is a chronological run of records arranged by year and thereunder alphabetically by department or commission. Some headings are directly followed by files titled Director or Material. These folders contain resource material that may include correspondence, memos, budgets, annual reports, audits, minutes, press releases, reports, and printed matter. Items of this type appear most often for the earlier years and are only a fraction of the files. The bulk of the files consists of citizen complaints relevant to particular government offices.
Filing idiosyncrasies exist. In 1973 the Department of Administration became the Department of Management and Budget. It assumed responsibility for the Bureau of programs and Budget (detailed in Michigan Manual, 1973-1974, pp. 281-286). Beginning in 1976, a new folder title, Volunteers in Michigan, appears. The physical placement of this file suggests independent commission status, but it is actually a subdepartment of the Department of Management and Budget. Beginning in 1980 the Department of Highways appears as Transportation and Police as State Police.
Correspondence can be accessed by name (see card index system) or department (see master list below). Policy materials related to this sequence may be found in the Staff Files and Internal Memoranda and Correspondence series.
Federal Correspondence is comprised principally of constituent correspondence related to federal legislation or regulations. Material is arranged by subject until 1978; beginning in 1979, items are filed alphabetically by the correspondent's name. Policy materials related to this sequence may be found in the Staff Files, Internal Memoranda and Correspondence, Washington Office, and Political series. Correspondence can be accessed by name (see the card index system) or by subject for the years 1969-1978 (see master list below).
The Legislative correspondence contains constituent mail regarding pending legislation. Material is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's name, with some topical headings for earlier years. Policy materials related to this sequence may be found in most other series. Access by name (see card index system) or subject (see master list below).