The Boatman Family Papers span the years 1901-1981; the majority of the papers were generated by the Rev. Dr. Conway and Mrs. Caroline Boatman, Methodist educators from Kentucky. The collection is arranged in series by family member and institution, the most substantial series being the Conway and Caroline Boatman Series; the John Paul Boatman Series; and the Union College Series. Other smaller groups pertain to other family members. Family correspondence makes up the majority of the collection, but there are also scrapbooks; educational records (primarily financial); many photographs of Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky; and clippings and other printed items. Topics covered by the correspondence in the Conway and Caroline's papers cover their courtship (1909-1919); the Methodist Episcopal mission in Jubbulpore, India (1919-1923); and India Methodist Theological College (1923-1925). There are also many references to the three institutions where Dr. Boatman served as President - Iowa National Bible Training School (1928-1931), Snead College in Boaz, Ala., and College of Barbourville, Ky. (1939-1959). Fund-raising, especially during the Depression, is a commonly recurring theme. Other letters from sons of the Boatmans refer to their college years from the 1930s-1940s. Institutions referred to here include Drew University, University of Kentucky in Lexington, and Southwestern College in Kansas.