The Esther Christensen papers date from 1908 to 1987 and measure 0.5 linear inches. The papers consist of seven short newspaper accounts and a photocopied sixty-five page memoir, "Our Heritage," by Esther Christensen. She begins with quotes from her father's written description of his service in the Civil War. He describes battles in Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi, and the wounds that sent him to Keokuk, Iowa for recovery. His reminiscences of war, some painful, some funny, are included. The Christensen memoir includes descriptions of church services, boating tragedies, tornadoes, house calls and baby deliveries by the local doctor. She describes the building of a homestead, the discovery of Indian arrowheads, county fairs and perfect three layer cakes with seven minute frosting! Christensen also tells of country school, her recitations, Gypsies camping in the woods, and the loss of a brother due to a gun accident, the Spanish Influenza, the loss of a son. Her memoir concludes with her reflections on her ninety-first birthday. Family pictures are reproduced throughout the memoir.