The Ortha Lane papers date from 1921 to 1932 and measure 5 linear inches. The bulk of the papers consist of two photograph albums and several loose photographs all taken during Lane's first two tours of service in China. There is also an undated biographical sketch, presumably written by the donor, Betty Schaal, as well as a copy of Lane's published autobiography. Though none of the loose photographs are dated they all have detailed descriptions handwritten by Ortha Lane. Of special interest is a photograph of two very young children who had been sold by their parents for the sums of $1.00 U.S. and 20¢ U.S. Lane's description explains without judgment that the parents were starving. Another photograph is of a boy, age 7, and a girl, age 9, who were awarded their own Bibles after numerous flawless recitations. Lane's description reveals that the boy had been told he was too small to achieve such a feat but with unwavering determination he proved his elders wrong. Other photographs include people Lane worked with, women and children who participated in various mission programs, and standard street scenes. There are also a few photographs of Lane.

The two photograph albums represent Lane's first two terms of service in China. Though not as detailed as the loose photographs, Lane did write identifying descriptions on each page of her photograph albums. The first album concerns Lane's first term of service (1919-1924) and contains the dates 1921-1923, when Lane was serving in the Chingchao District, although most of the photographs are undated. There are several photographs taken during the great famine China experienced in the 1920s. The second album is from Lane's second term of service (1929-1932) when she returned to the Chingchao District, and contains photographs dated 1927-1932 and undated. Both albums include photographs of the people Lane worked with and those who participated in the programs Lane and the other missionaries provided. They are a rich sampling of North China before the Japanese occupation in 1937 and the Communist take-over in 1949.